THE Export Development Council (EDC) on Sunday commended the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for instituting reforms in support of Filipino traders.
The EDC is a public-private partnership mandated by the Export Development Act of 1994 (RA 7844) to drive economic growth through policies and the implementation of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP).
The BOC has been implementing measures which directly address long-standing operational bottlenecks, marking a significant step toward building a modernized, credible, and digitalized customs administration that actively supports national economic growth, the EDC said in a statement.
On April 1, EDC officials met with government representatives and private sector leaders to discuss the BOC measures.
Among the most impactful reforms, EDC said, is the exemption of exporters from the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-Tracc) System.
“By lifting this requirement for authorized economic operators (AEOs) that are also registered business enterprises (RBEs), the BOC has effectively removed a key source of delays and costs, responding to exporters’ call for practical solutions to low-hanging trade barriers,” the EDC said, noting that it ensures smoother cargo movement to and from free zones and strengthens the incentive framework for AEOs.
The EDC also welcomed the issuance of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG) Memo 188-2025, which directs all ports to recognize export-oriented enterprise (EOE) certificates issued by the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau and clarifies operational issues pertaining to the certificates.
The EOE certificates allow exporters with 70-percent sales to avail of VAT exemptions on imports directly attributable to their export activities without the need for a tax exemption indorsement (TEI) from the Department of Finance, thus reducing regulatory burden and enhancing exporters’ operational efficiency, the EDC said.
Another measure the EDC supported is the BOC’s strict enforcement of the 90-day container dwell time rule under Customs Administrative Order 8-2019.
“By proactively preventing port congestion and ensuring the timely disposition of overstaying containers, the BOC has addressed another critical friction point that has long hampered trade facilitation,” the EDC said.
BOC’s digitalization agenda was likewise recognized.
“By modernizing systems and reducing unnecessary regulatory hurdles, the BOC is laying the groundwork for a customs administration that is both efficient and credible, one that enables rather than constrains the growth of Philippine exports,” the EDC added.
“We appreciate the BOC’s responsiveness to our concerns. The exemption from E-Tracc allows exporters to focus on fulfilling orders efficiently without the added layer of cost and administrative complexity that could hamper delivery timelines,” PhilExport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said. “But we also hope that the rest of the exporters can be covered, since their goods are outbound anyway and should be compliant with their buyers’ requirements.”
Danilo Lachica, president of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc., and private sector chairman of the EDC Networking Committee on Trade Policy and Procedure Simplification, likewise thanked the BOC for its efforts.
For her part, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said: “In times of global crisis, we must fast-track reforms that ease the burden on businesses. The BOC’s proactive measures are crucial to sustaining the gains of Philippine exports, ensuring that our exporters remain resilient and competitive even amidst supply chain disruptions and market uncertainties.”
