The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is extending the validity of importer accreditation from one to three years and increasing the associated fee to P5,000 from P2,000.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno announced on Monday that the changes are intended to deter corruption and streamline operations.
Nepomuceno said the longer accreditation period is part of broader BOC reforms aimed at improving efficiency, easing business transactions, and enhancing the agency’s integrity by minimizing corrupt practices.
He added that by streamlining procedures and “reducing opportunities for discretion,” the BOC would become “more honest and service-oriented.”
“We are committed to making the accreditation process more efficient for importers while upholding transparency and accountability in our operations,” Nepomuceno said.
The BOC anticipates that a simpler accreditation process will allow importers to focus more on their core operations, facilitate smoother trade transactions, reduce unnecessary delays, and create a more predictable regulatory environment for businesses.
The increased processing fee, from P2,000 to P5,000, is intended to help the BOC manage demand and improve the accreditation system’s overall efficiency.
The bureau also plans to update the accreditation application form to collect more accurate data and enhance compliance monitoring. Additionally, importers will be required to submit an annual report, summarizing their business documents and information, 30 days before the anniversary of their accreditation.
The BOC will issue clear guidelines for the automatic renewal of accreditations for eligible importers.
The bureau is currently reviewing the draft amendment to the existing accreditation rule, an update to Customs Administrative Order No. 07-2022, to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
