Photo from Pexels | Nao Triponez
The following post does not create a lawyer-client relationship between Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices (or any of its lawyers) and the reader. It is still best for you to engage the services of a lawyer or you may directly contact and consult Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices to address your specific legal concerns, if there is any.
Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
On May 13, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 23, which orders the implementation of a digital and integrated system for the Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing of all import commodities.
The Bureau of Customs shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of the Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing System, in accordance with the strategic direction and policy guidance issued by the Committee for Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing, international trade standards, and existing laws, rules and regulations.
The AO was issued to simplify customs procedures and ensure that they are predictable and transparent, in accordance with international standards. The intent behind the issuance of the AO is to further strengthen national security, safeguard consumers’ rights, and protect the environment against sub-standard and dangerous imported goods.
What is “Cross-Border Electronic Invoicing”?
According to Section 1(c) of AO No. 23, it is a system used by a verified and registered foreign exporter to create export invoice on a single electronic platform controlled by the Philippine Government. The electronic invoice is shared transparently and in real time with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and other relevant government agencies.
What is “Pre-border Technical Verification”?
According to Section 1(c) of AO No. 23, it refers to testing and inspection of all commodities by accredited Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Companies prior to exporting to the Philippines for purposes of verifying in advance the declared specifications, description, weight, volume, and country of origin, and ensuring that these commodities are safe and of good quality, in accordance with the World Trade Organization Facilitation Agreement, and existing laws, rules and regulations.
Committee for Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing
A committee was created to ensure the successful implementation of the Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing System, which shall be composed of the following:
Chairperson : Secretary, Department of Finance (DOF)
Members : Secretary, Department of Agriculture;
Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry;
Secretary, Department of Energy;
Secretary, Department of Health;
Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
Secretary, Department of Information and Communications
Technology;
Commissioner, BOC;
Director-General, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency; and
Two (2) non-voting Representatives from duly recognized industry associations, to be appointed by the Chairperson, upon recommendation of the Committee.
The DOF shall serve as the Secretariat of the Committee, and shall provide administrative and technical support to the Committee.
The Chairperson and Members of the Committee may designate their alternates, with ranks not lower than a Director IV or its equivalent, who are fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf.
The Committee shall regularly convene at least once every quarter or as often as may be deemed necessary by the Chairperson.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter
Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries regarding legal services, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/ 0917-5772207/ 09778050020.
All rights reserved.