CEBU – The Bureau of Customs said it will no longer collect import processing fee of P250 for packages sent by sea freight and arriving in ports in the Philippines.
The BOC said it waived the import processing fee through Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 08-2014 which took effect November 15. “No amount shall be collected as import processing fee on any importation filed through informal entry,” Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said.
Sevilla also said the BOC reduced the amount of Documentary Stamp Tax for Informal Entry from P265 to P15. He said that an amount of P15 shall be collected from each importation filed through the informal entry.
More than 5.5 million balik-bayan boxes are shipped to the country every year and the bulk enters the ports from September until December. Over half of those packages enter the Manila International Container Port, while the rest arrive at the Port of Manila, Cebu, Davao and Subic.
Sevilla said the BOC also launched an online tracking system that will enable the recipients to check the status of their packages from abroad.
He said with the tracker, the public will not be given the run-around by people responsible for delivering their balik-bayan boxes.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima approved Sevilla’s order. (Mindanao Examiner)
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