BOC revises rules on release of alerted shipments

FILE: Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has amended an order allowing the release of an alerted shipment within 48 hours provided that it has been cleared by its examiner. (Photo: Commissioner Isidro Lapena/Facebook)

MANILA — Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has amended an order allowing the release of an alerted shipment within 48 hours provided that it has been cleared by its examiner.

Under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20-2017 signed by Lapeña on Monday, the District Collector concerned must subject alerted shipments to non-intrusive inspection or coordinate with the terminal operator for the conduct of physical examination within 48 hours from the receipt of the Alert Order.

The order also directed examiners to submit within 24 hours upon completion of the examination an Alert Order Report Form to the District Collector, Alerting Officers and Office of the Commissioner.

“Alerted shipments found to have no discrepancy after non-intrusive inspection or physical examination must be released within forty-eight (48) hours from the return of findings from the examiner,” the order added.

Likewise, the CMO said that the approval of the District Collector of the recommendation which results to the release of the shipment “shall be forwarded through the fastest means available to the Commissioner of Customs for automatic review within 24 hours.”

Lapeña noted that CMO No. 20-2017 repeals CMO 35-2015, entitled, “Revised Rules for the Electronic/Manual Issuance and Lifting of Alert Orders at all ports of entry” in a bid to allow the immediate release of shipment.

“I have signed the CMO on the alert order making the alert order (para) hindi na katakutan ng businessmen. The alert order issued based on information on the irregularity of the contents of a container van. If that is the reason, the action should be verification if info is true and correct,” the BOC chief said.

“If not true, the container van should be allowed to pass. If true, it should be held and further examination should be conducted and Warrant of Seizure and Detention be issued,” he added.

With this, Lapeña warned personnel that failure to comply with the order is a ground for administrative/criminal cases that may be filed against them.

“Any undue delay in the disposition of the Alert Orders shall be ground for the administrative and/or criminal action against the officer or personnel causing the delay pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations,” the order added.