Saturday, July 28, 2007 Arroyo cuts container security fees
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has slashed container security fee rates by US$20 to US$40 to help exporters and importers who are adversely affected by the appreciation of the peso.
Under the directive, 40-footer containers would now charged us$10 or its equivalent in peso instead of us$50 while 20-footer containers are charged five dollars or twenty equivalent units (TEUs) instead of US$25.
"There is a need to reduce the container security fees to lessen the financial burden on importers and exporters good," said Arroyo in issuing Executive Order (EO) 635, which amends EO 592.
EO 592, which Arroyo issued on Dec. 15, 2006, imposes the "Mandatory Payment of Container Security Fees in the Implementation of the Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System (NCIS) Project" of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Under the previous, US$20 is charged for each 20-foot container and US$50 for every 40-foot container. This takes effect once scanning units are installed in identified ports.
The BOC charges security fees on all import and export cargo, landed or stored in piers, airports, terminal facilities including container yards, and freight stations under its jurisdiction.
Exporters have been opposing EO 592 as they saw it as an additional burden to them, especially with the continued strengthening of the peso.
They however felt that the NCIS project would be good if it could guarantee a more efficient facilitation of Customs clearance.
Arroyo said the container security fees would be used as an administrative support system to sustain the NCIS project, including its upgrading and improvement of its operation; institutionalizing of post audit procedures and processes; investigation and prosecution of fraud and fraudulent-related activities; and the training and implementing of related programs to enhance the capabilities and competence of personnel involve in the project and the BOC in general. (JMR/Sunnex)
