THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it has issued new rules easing the temporary entry of foreign vessels involved in the country's submarine cable projects.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the new policy demonstrates the bureau's commitment to supporting national development through modern customs procedures.
"This initiative helps create a more efficient environment for projects that improve the country's digital connectivity and critical infrastructure. By streamlining customs procedures while maintaining proper safeguards, we are supporting investments that benefit businesses, communities, and the Filipino public," he said.
Customs Administrative Order 02-2026, signed by Nepomuceno, establishes a framework for the temporary admission of international cable-laying and repair vessels used for the survey, installation, maintenance, upgrading and repair of submarine cable systems, as well as seabed cable-support activities for information and communications technology infrastructure and offshore energy projects. It was published July 2 and will take effect July 17, 2026.
Under the order, qualified foreign cable-laying and repair vessels may temporarily enter the Philippines without paying import duties and taxes, provided they are used solely for authorized submarine cable projects and are re-exported after completing their work.
The new rules simplify customs procedures for vessels operating in Philippine waters for short periods, allowing faster processing while ensuring customs supervision and compliance with existing regulations.
The rules allow vessels to move between project sites and ports without repeatedly filing new import documents, reducing administrative requirements for large-scale infrastructure projects covering multiple locations.
The BOC said that while the vessels may qualify for temporary duty and tax exemption, imported materials such as submarine cables, pipes and other equipment will remain subject to existing customs laws and import requirements.
It added that the move aligns with the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Istanbul Convention.
