The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and ARISE Plus Philippines, has officially launched the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Operational Guidelines – a major step forward in modernizing customs operations and enhancing the Philippines’ trade competitiveness.

The AEO Operational Guidelines provide a structured and standardized framework for the implementation of the AEO Program, which recognizes compliant and trusted trade partners. By streamlining customs procedures and clarifying stakeholder roles, the guidelines aim to reduce transaction costs, improve predictability, and foster a more secure and facilitative trading environment.

This milestone also marks the culmination of the four-year ARISE Plus Philippines Project, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the DTI and other key government agencies. The project has played a pivotal role in promoting inclusive economic growth by improving the country’s international trade performance.

In his remarks on behalf of BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro O. Uvero of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group stated that the turnover not only concludes the BOC’s collaboration with ARISE Plus Philippines but also “signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the Bureau as we move forward with the implementation and institutionalization of the AEO Guidelines.”

He further emphasized that the Guidelines are “a symbol of what meaningful partnership can achieve when driven by mutual trust, a shared vision, and a commitment to reform.”

The AEO Operational Guidelines serve as a vital reference for BOC personnel, AEO members, and stakeholders across the trade ecosystem. By promoting transparency and consistency in customs operations, it is expected to strengthen public-private collaboration, enhance compliance, and facilitate smoother cross-border trade.

The manual is now publicly accessible at https://customs.gov.ph/wp- content/uploads/2025/10/AEO-Operational-Guidelines-2025.pdf. This initiative reflects the BOC’s continued commitment to reform, stakeholder empowerment, and the creation of a more efficient and trusted trading system, benefiting not only the business community but the Filipino public at large.