Question & AnswerQ&A (BI IMMIGRATION ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 01-94)
The primary purpose is to prescribe rules and regulations for shipping companies, ship owners, operators or charterers of ocean-going vessels to send advance shipping notices of arrivals and departures to the Commissioner of Immigration to ensure effective enforcement of immigration laws.
All shipping companies, ship owners, operators or charterers of ocean-going vessels, and persons acting as agents on their behalf are required to send shipping notices.
The term 'vessel' includes any ship, boat, or watercraft such as cargo or passenger vessels, tankers, tugboats, fishing boats, trawlers, and yachts used in navigation.
The shipping notice must be sent at least 24 hours before but not later than 12:00 noon of the day prior to the vessel's arrival, or by 9:00 a.m. if the first port of call is outside Port of Manila or Manila International Container Port.
A request for Immigration Officers' boarding must be transmitted at least 30 days prior to estimated arrival, with the actual arrival notice sent by the deadlines stated for other vessels.
It must be filled according to the prescribed format and include matters such as the number of crew to be discharged or joining, conversion to domestic trade, transit/transfer passengers, and other remarks.
An overtime processing fee of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) shall be charged to the master, owner, operator, charterer, consignee, or agent of the vessel.
The responsible parties shall be fined Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) plus the One Thousand Peso overtime fee, and no passenger or crew may disembark nor will the vessel get an Immigration Port Clearance until the fine is paid or provision for payment is made.
If the failure was due to the vessel being in distress and needing emergency repairs, seeking shelter due to bad weather or force majeure, or carrying passengers or crew needing immediate medical attention or unloading a cadaver.
A written advice must be submitted at least 12 hours before the scheduled arrival or departure to assign Immigration personnel to escort the alien seaman, who cannot go ashore or leave the immigration area without an escort.