Dear Valued Customers,

We would like to inform you about the recent implementation of new regulations by the Philippine government concerning the importation of goods. These regulations, outlined in Administrative Order No. 23 and Joint Administrative Order No. 001-2025, introduce a digital and integrated system for Pre-border Technical Verification (PTV) and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing (CEI)..

               Understanding the Pre-border Technical Verification (PTV) and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing (CEI)

     JAO No. 001-2025 implements Administrative Order (AO) No. 23 series of 2024, which directs the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to implement the PTV and CEI system to expedite the inspection of all imported goods and to further strengthen national security, safeguard consumers’ rights, and protect the environment against sub-standard and dangerous imported goods. The JAO was issued on January 20, 2025, requires all containerized agricultural products, non-agricultural products with health and safety issues, and other goods susceptible to misdeclaration to undergo pre-border technical verification. All goods imported, whether by air or sea, are subject to the cross-border electronic invoicing system. Implementation will be in phases following the issuance of relevant Bureau of Customs orders

Pre-border Technical Verification (PTV)

• Purpose: To ensure that all imported goods meet declared specifications and are safe and of good quality before they enter the Philippines
• Process: Accredited Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Companies: These third-party companies are responsible for inspecting goods before they are shipped to the Philippines
• Verification: TIC companies verify the declared specifications, description, weight, volume, and country of origin of the goods

Cross-border Electronic Invoicing (CEI)

• Purpose: To monitor international trade transactions through a single electronic platform controlled by the Philippine Government.

Process:

• Registration: Exporters must register in the CEI system
• E-invoicing: Exporters issue electronic invoices through the CEI platform before exporting goods to the Philippines

Responsibilities of Shippers and Consignees

Shipper Responsibilities:

1. Pre-border Technical Verification (PTV):

• Compliance: Ensure that all goods are inspected by accredited Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) companies before export

• Documentation: Provide accurate and complete information about the goods, including specifications, description, weight, volume, and country of origin

• Digital Certification: Obtain and submit the digital Certificate of Conformity or Discrepancy Report issued by TIC companies to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

2. Cross-border Electronic Invoicing (CEI):

• Registration: Register in the CEI system

• E-invoicing: Issue electronic invoices through the CEI platform before exporting goods to the Philippines

• Mandatory Fields: Ensure that e-invoices include all required information such as unique universal identifier, stamp date and time, invoice number, date of issuance, and contact details

Consignee Responsibilities:

1. Coordination:

• Communication: Coordinate with shippers to ensure they comply with PTV and CEI requirements

• Verification: Verify that the goods received match the specifications and documentation provided by the shipper

2. Compliance:

• Documentation: Ensure all necessary documentation is submitted to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) upon arrival of the goods

• Inspection: Facilitate any additional inspections required by the BOC or other relevant authorities

Implementation Guidelines

• Joint Administrative Order No. 001-2025 provides detailed guidelines for implementing these systems
• Phased Implementation: The use of the CEI system and PTV will be rolled out in stages over the Benefits

Benefits

• Enhanced Customs Processes: Streamlines the inspection and monitoring of imported goods

• Consumer Protection: Ensures that imported goods are safe and meet quality standards
• Environmental Safeguards: Protects the environment from sub-standard and dangerous goods

For more detailed information, you can refer to the official guidelines provided by the Philippine Department of Finance: Philippines Issues the Implementing Guidelines of the Pre-Border Technical Verification and Cross-Border Electronic Invoicing of All Imported Commodities

                                                                             https://www.dof.gov.ph/resources/issuances/joint-administrative-order-no-001-2025/

Dear Valued Customers,

As part of our commitment to compliance with Bureau of Customs regulations, we would like to remind you to verify the regulatory requirements for your imported goods.

Prior to importing any product, it is essential that all importers verify and ensure that the necessary permits and licenses have been obtained for the item being imported. No product should be imported without confirming if the item is regulated and requires permits or licenses.

Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in delays, penalties, confiscation of goods or other legal consequences.

For your guidance, you may refer to the following resources:

CMO-No.09-2015-On-The-Strict-Enforcement-of-Rules-Concerning-Regulated-Imports.pdf

Bureau of Customs website:

Prohibited/Restricted Importations – Bureau of Customs

Regulated Import Products – Bureau of Customs

List of Regulated Import Commodities and their Administering Agencies | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

National Trade Repository

Philippine National Trade Repository (PNTR) | The Philippine National Trade Repository (PNTR) is a web-based portal that provides a single source of comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date information on all trade-related matters.

Please note that these links are subject to change, and it's always best to verify with relevant government agencies for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your cooperation and compliance.

Dear Valued Customers,

We would like to remind you of the implementation of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) regulations. ICS2 is the European Union’s advanced cargo information system that requires all Economic Operators (EOs) to submit detailed pre-loading and pre-arrival data for goods entering or transiting the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland. These regulations are designed to streamline the exchange of information between economic operators and EU Customs Authorities. The system started its transition period on June 3, 2024, and the full implementation for rail and road carriers is set to go live on April 1, 2025.

 Understanding ICS2

ICS2 is the European Union’s (EU’s) advanced cargo information system. It mandates that all Economic Operators (EOs) submit detailed pre-loading and pre-arrival data for goods entering or transiting the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland.

Required Information for Shipping Instructions:

1. Six-Digit Harmonized Code- for each cargo item, along with clear and complete cargo description.

2. Customs Union & Statistics Number (CUS Code) for harmless or DG chemical -for Chemical Substances.

3. Unique Consignment Reference Number (if available)

4. Consignee Details

a. Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number (EORI Number)- if assigned to the EU consignee

b. Alternatively, provide the consignee’s full address, including P.O box, postal code, subdivision code city and country                                           

5. Supplementary Declarant EORI: if applicable to self-filing or House B/L Operations.

Compliance Options:

Option 1: File Directly- Customers filing directly will need to provide EORI number for compliance

Option 2: Filing through Shipping line or Freight Forwarders- Filing on your behalf, the following additional details will be required:

1. Buyer and Seller Information: For all cargo destined for the EU weather under a House B/L or a straight.

2. House B/L Data- Required

    a. FROB CARGO: Freight remaining on board but destined outside the EU

    b. EU Cargo: Loaded during port call outside the EU

Administrative fee for filing of ICS2:  Administrative fee will be provided by MIFFI Sales Team.

To avoid delays or disruptions we kindly request you to:

1. Prepare the required data in advanced.
2. Share the details promptly as per the outlined requirements.

More information can be found on the European Commission’s website:

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/ics2_en

             Dear Valued Customers,

We would like to remind you of CMO-09-2022, Section 4-4.6, which requires the submission of original hard copies of shipping documents to the CUSTOMER CARE CENTER (CCC) within 48 hours from online filing of the goods declaration.

To ensure compliance with BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BOC) regulations, we kindly request that you provide us with the original shipping documents before the arrival of the shipment.

Attached is the Customs Memorandum Order 09-2022 for common reference. Thank you!

Dear Valued Customers,

We are writing to inform you about the implementation of the Electronic Certificate of Origin (E-CO) for form D for all ASEAN members (Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Brunei, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam starting January 1, 2024

To comply with the new requirements, we recommended to register through the E-CO Portal and visit the link for user manual guide.

Thank you!

IMPORTANT NOTICE : AIR SHIPMENT TO PHILIPPINES:

Please send complete Pre-alert docs in advance before shipment ETD given timeline, for us to prepare manifest lodgment, avoid Late Manifest, Amendment, Late I.P/Etaps lodgment & other unnecessary charges including Fines/Penalties. We must receive PRE-ADVISE email of your shipment before you book to airline as we need to check if consignee here in Philippines has an updated permit/BOC Accredited Importer and aware of said shipment for their green light approval as well, as some clients avoid extra storage charge for weekend arrival shipment, with that information of Pre-advise we will be expecting shipping documents from your company. Your advance information is highly appreciated.