Question & AnswerQ&A (Acts No. 1814)
The main purpose is to amend Section 136 of Act No. 355 (the Philippine Customs Administrative Act) to regulate the manifesting of coastwise cargoes, authorizing the Insular Collector of Customs to impose specific requirements and procedures for such manifests.
The master of every vessel licensed for carrying on the coasting trade is required to prepare and subscribe duplicate manifests of the whole cargo on board before departure from a port of entry.
The manifests must specify the marks and numbers of packages, the port of destination, and the names of the respective consignees.
The master must deliver the duplicate manifests to the collector or a duly authorized customs official and swear that the foreign goods were legally imported and duties have been paid or secured.
The customs official certifies the manifests, returns one copy to the master with a permit specifying generally the lading on board, which authorizes the vessel to proceed to its port of destination, while retaining the duplicate.
The master shall be liable to a penalty of not more than one hundred dollars, not less than five dollars, or one dollar per net ton of the vessel, at the discretion of the collector.
Yes. Cargo between manifests is not required for transport between ports in the Philippine Islands that are not ports of entry.
The Insular Collector may permit vessels to depart coastwise from ports of entry upon filing general manifests by the masters, provided that detailed manifests are presented within 48 hours after departure under penalties prescribed.
Such cargo must be manifested in detail as specified and certified by the master of the vessel.
The Act took effect upon its passage on March 24, 1908.