The Bureau of Customs (BOC) officially launches the i-Declare System, a streamlined and digitalized Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration process, on June 29, 2022.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, the BOC achieves another milestone as the Philippines is the first country in the ASEAN to implement a combined electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration System and the 3rd in ASEAN, after Singapore and Indonesia, to implement an electronic Customs Baggage Declaration System. This was made possible through the collaborative effort of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Anti-Money Laundering Council, BOC-Enforcement Group, and the BOC-Management Information System and Technology Group.

The i-Declare System offers passengers the option to complete their declarations online, in the comfort of their homes before flying or even while en-route to the Philippines. In case passengers miss this opportunity, the eCBCD Form is available through the i-Declare Kiosks stationed at the Customs Area and are initially piloted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal One. Subsequently, the kiosks will also be deployed at other international airports in the coming months.

“Automating the decades-old manual filing is another effort to modernize the Bureau, with the intention of integrating it with other government agencies for a more encompassing approach in providing the public with one-stop shop service for all the governments’ clearance requirements.” Said Customs Commissioner Guerrero.

The implementation is pursuant to the Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 11-2022 entitled “Implementation of the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration (eCBCD) System” which provides the guidelines on the customs clearance process for all travelers and crew members using the said system, in relation to the Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 1-2017 or the Customs Clearance of Accompanied and Unaccompanied Baggage of Travelers and Crew.

Finance Undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko, Assistant Secretary Gina Jamoralin of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Atty. Allan Julius Azcueta of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Director Jodeth Nina R. Yeung of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and several key government officials and media partners were also present to witness the event.

The Bureau of Customs will continue to implement further innovations and programs to actualize its vision of becoming a modernized and credible customs administration that is among the world’s best.