THE Bureau of Customs on Tuesday said it has approved a new administrative order extending the accreditation validity of importers and customs brokers to three years with reduced fees, as part of its continuing reforms.
“By extending the validity of importer accreditation, we are reducing red tape and enabling a more efficient trade system that can meet growing consumer demand and support local industries,” Finance Secretary Frederick Go said in a statement.
“This reform allows businesses to focus more on operations and growth rather than administrative requirements,” Go added.
“We listened to our stakeholders and the public, and we acted,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said. “We are removing unnecessary burdens on compliant importers while strengthening our systems to ensure transparency and fairness.” Under the new rules, importer accreditation will now be valid for three years instead of the previous one-year cycle, eliminating the need for annual renewals, repetitious document submissions, and compliance checks.
The three-year accreditation validity also reduces fees. Instead of paying P2,000 annually — or P6,000 over three years — importers will pay only a one-time fee of P5,000 for the entire three-year period.
Renewal applications with complete documentation will be processed within seven working days through the BOC’s Customer Care Portal System (CCPS), introducing greater predictability for importers managing supply chains.
To maintain oversight, accredited importers must still comply with reporting requirements. Firms are required to submit an Annual Reportorial Compliance (ARC) within 30 days of their accreditation anniversary.
Non-compliance could result in suspension or revocation of accreditation.
The policy likewise introduces automatic renewal provisions for importers with strong compliance records. Companies with at least six consecutive years of good standing, as well as those under the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and Super Green Lane (SGL) programs, will qualify for simplified renewal.
The order takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.