Question & AnswerQ&A (LTO MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. AHS-2008-954)
A Certificate of Conformity (COC) is issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau certifying that a motor vehicle type complies with numerical emission standards using approved test procedures. It is mandatory prior to the initial registration of a new motor vehicle.
A 'new motor vehicle' is defined as a vehicle constructed entirely from new parts that has never been sold or registered with the Land Transportation Office or any appropriate agency and has not been operated on the highways of the Philippines or any foreign country.
COC covers new motor vehicles that are either designed and manufactured in the Philippines using brand new engines and parts, assembled in the Philippines from original and brand new imported parts (CKD), or completely built-up (CBU) imported motor vehicles.
The CCES is valid for sixty (60) days or until the pre-requisite Certificate of Emission Compliance or Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) remains valid, whichever comes first.
No, importation of all types of used motor vehicles is prohibited except under specific exceptions provided by Executive Order No. 156, such as vehicles for returning residents, diplomats, certain trucks and buses, and special purpose vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances.
Exceptions include motor vehicles owned by returning residents under the No-Dollar Importation Program (cannot be resold for 3 years), vehicles for diplomatic officials, trucks and buses with gross vehicle weight above 2.5 tons with proper permits, and special purpose vehicles eligible for registration.
Vehicles imported by returning residents under the No-Dollar Importation Program cannot be sold or transferred to others for at least three years to prevent their immediate resale and possible circumvention of import restrictions.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issues the COC, while the Department of Transportation and Communications, through the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional offices, issues the CCES for used or rebuilt vehicles.