The Bureau of Customs (BOC) today clarified that it has responded to the initial findings by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the release of regulated commodities and failure to suspend and revoke the accreditation of erring importers.
The BOC said that all necessary justifications have already been forwarded to the Commission on Audit (COA) on April 27, 2021, March 14, 2022, and May 16, 2022, in response to the recent Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) of the Commission on Audit (COA) findings.
The BOC reply covered the release of regulated commodities without the required permits, licenses, and clearances.
The BOC Accounting Division explained that the entries cited do not require clearances from the Imports Assessment Service (IAS). As such, they are excluded from the coverage of CMC 70-2014, being members of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID).
The exclusion was withdrawn on January 31, 2019, based on the Commissioner’s Memorandum of the same date. These shipments were assessed before this date, thus still excluded from the IAS clearance requirement.
On the failure to suspend or revoke the accreditation of erring importers, the Acting Chief of the Accounts Management Office (AMO) has issued a Memorandum dated May 13, 2022, directing all Collection Districts to furnish AMO with Warrants of Seizure and Detention/Abandonment Cases or any other notices involving the violation of CMTA and other customs laws, rules, and regulations at the ports.
The AMO has also coordinated with the Management Information and Technology Group (MISTG) and the Risk Management Office (RMO), so it can be given access to the Offence Management System (OMS) to monitor all violations of importers and brokers and take actions as warranted.
The BOC continues to coordinate closely with COA to safeguard the government’s revenue. The Bureau is also relentlessly strengthening border security measures and enhancing the collection of duties and taxes towards the nation’s economic recovery.
