New BOC ‘color-code’ seen to address IU ‘abuses’

On Sep 29, 2020

A shipment undergoing another round of examination by a customs officer assigned at the Investigation Unit (IU) last September 18, 2020 at the Port of Manila, despite already being cleared by the bureau’s X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP). The added inspection, where nothing illegal was found, resulted to the shipment only being released after 4 days, on September 22, 2020. The delay cost the consignee unnecessary additional expenses for demurrage, storage and container fees.

BUREAU of Customs commissioner, Rey Leonardo Guerrero, has approved the creation of a new ‘color-code’ in the bureau’s universal risk management system (URMS) reportedly, to eliminate further ‘human intervention’ in the inspection of shipments, particularly by the ‘Investigation Unit’ and the Intelligence Group.

In a memorandum dated September 15, 2020, an “Orange Lane” was added to the already existing ‘Red, ‘Yellow’ and ‘Green’ lanes under the bureau’s URMS, the upgraded version of the bureau’s original, ‘Selectivity System.’

Under existing customs rules, shipments tagged ‘Green’ are no longer subjected to any examination for quick release; shipments tagged ‘Yellow’ shall only undergo ‘documentary examination.’

On the other hand, it is mandatory for the BOC to conduct 100 percent examination on all shipments tagged as ‘Red.’

However, there have been mounting complaints—and accusation of extortion—that with the creation of the IU headed by retired Army general, Noel Samarita, shipments that have already gone ‘non-intrusive’ (X-Ray) examination and cleared for release by the district collector, are being delayed for release pending another physical inspection by the IU.

There were also accusations that the IU has installed at least two “bagmen” one alias ‘Bryan’ and one alias ‘Rhoda’ who are in charge of arranging “tara” for the IU and the Intelligence Group (IG) in exchange for not being subjected to the issuance of ‘hold orders’ and delays in the release of shipments by the IU.

The IU is under the direct supervision of IG deputy commissioner Ranier Ramiro despite its operatives coming from the Enforcement Group.

With the revised rules, “goods declaration tagged ‘Orange’ shall pass through the X—Ray scanning and once the image is found to be suspicious, it shall be subjected to physical examination,” Guerrero’s memo declared.

With the clarification, shipments that have already undergone non-intrusive inspection are expected to be no longer delayed for release by the IU.