In an effort to enhance the country’s international collaboration and alignment with global best practices, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) participated in the 244th and 245th sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) held in Brussels, Belgium, from October 23 to October 25, 2024.

These meetings operate under the guidance of the WCO Council and Policy Commission, with administrative support from the WCO Secretariat. The PTC was originally established to conduct technical studies on customs matters, excluding those related to nomenclature and valuation, and to address issues that would ultimately be submitted to the Council for decision-making.

The Philippines was represented by Atty. Marlon M. Agaceta, Atty. Erwin T. Mendoza, Mr. Arestil Arnold M. Famor, and Collector Rechilda Oquias. In one of its agenda, the BOC was invited to make a presentation on our own experience in implementing Article 7.8 of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA), focusing on air cargo streamlining as aligned with the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines.

The Philippines shared the BOC’s experience in air cargo streamlining since the WCO Diagnostic Mission in August 2019, leading to the issuance of a Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) on Customs Procedures in Air Express Shipments in 2021 and the development of the Draft Customs Administrative Order (CAO) on Cross-Border E-commerce Shipments in 2024. The presentation received commendations from the WCO member delegations and observers from the private sector such as the Global Express Association (GEA).

The meeting concluded with productive discussions, setting a strong foundation for advancements in areas including E-Commerce, the Smart Customs Project, Green Customs, Globally Networked Customs (GNC), Customs-Port Cooperation, Free Zones, the Role of Customs in Disaster Relief, and the Time Release Study (TRS).

“Pursuing a customs administration that conforms to global standards and harmonizes with international best practices represent a significant challenge, one the BOC is fully poised to undertake,” Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio remarked.

“With this, we pledge to continue our sustained efforts to achieve an environment that is not only adaptable but also attuned to the ever-changing needs of trade communities, specifically in accelerating air cargo release as mandated in Article 7.8 of the WTO-TFA,” the Commissioner added.