THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has introduced a strict three-year limit on customs broker registration to block unauthorized practitioners and enhance the efficiency of trade processing nationwide.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said over the weekend that the new reform program is part of the agency’s push to strengthen accountability, tighten regulatory oversight, and modernize Customs systems amid growing trade activity.
In a memorandum issued on May 13, 2026, Certificates of Registration for Individual Customs Brokers and General Professional Partnerships (GPPs) under the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) are valid only for three years from the date of issue, unless earlier suspended or revoked for violations.
The policy enforces the provisions of Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2019, which seeks to ensure that only legitimate, compliant, and actively monitored brokers are allowed to transact with the bureau.
To fully enforce the reform, the Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) was directed to overhaul and update the CPRS and all related electronic customs systems.
The upgraded system will automatically validate registration status, monitor compliance with annual reportorial requirements, and block the filing of goods declarations from brokers with expired or inactive registrations.
Nepomuceno said the digital enhancements will prevent unauthorized transactions, eliminate outdated records, and tighten safeguards against irregularities within customs processes.
Meanwhile, the Accounts Management Office (AMO) was ordered to enforce the three-year validity period in the processing, approval, and monitoring of broker registrations.
The AMO will also conduct validation and cleansing of existing broker records to ensure that all registrations align with the requirements under CAO 05-2019.
Nepomuceno said the initiative is part of the bureau’s campaign to strengthen compliance mechanisms while streamlining customs registration procedures through digitalization and systems integration.
The customs chief emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate, updated broker records to protect the integrity of Customs transactions and ensure accountability among stakeholders dealing with the bureau.
“This policy reform safeguards the integrity of our processes while making trade more efficient and predictable for stakeholders,” Nepomuceno said.
The latest reform is part of the BOC’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) campaign, which seeks to build a more transparent, technology-driven, and reliable Customs environment for both government and the trading community.
