Question & AnswerQ&A (BOC CUSTOMS MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 2-2001)
The main objective is to implement the ACOS based Off-Dock OLRS system to provide a more secure transmission of electronic cargo release instructions and acknowledgment receipts, prevent unauthorized releases of goods, and provide reports for cargo inventory purposes.
The procedure governs all shipments under consumption entries for delivery by Off-Dock CY/CFS supervised by the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and Port of Manila (POM).
ACOS stands for Automated Customs Operations System.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is responsible for transmitting the electronic cargo release instruction through the ACOS OLRS system to the Off-Dock CY/CFS operator via an encrypted electronic message through the EDI gateway.
Only messages whose examination flags have been lowered (meaning the shipment has passed examination) by a duly designated Off-Dock OLRS officer at the FED shall be transmitted.
The operator must confirm receipt by transmitting a corresponding acknowledgment message through its OLRS system via the EDI Gateway, which updates the status of the declaration in ACOS from 'PAID' to 'RELEASED'.
The examination flag indicates whether the shipment has undergone and passed examination. Only cargo release messages with the examination flag set to 'N' (lowered) are transmitted to the Off-Dock CY/CFS operator for cargo release.
Box #30 is to be filled with the correct location code of the concerned Off-Dock CY/CFS operator, which identifies the storage location of the goods.
The three lanes are Green Lane (minimal examination, automatic release upon payment matching), Yellow Lane (documentary examination and assessment before release), and Red Lane (documentary and physical examination before release). The lane determines the level of inspection and procedures for cargo release.
They must submit daily electronic reports of cargo releases to BOC, maintain an audit log of all system activities for three months online, archive logs offline for one year, back up daily release and acknowledgment messages securely, and make all system logs available to BOC upon demand.
They must verify the presence of the corresponding release instruction in their OLRS system and issue a gatepass with the OLRS generated date and time. No shipment shall be released without the corresponding release message transmitted from BOC's ACOS OLRS.
An audit team from the Piers and Inspection Division (PID) conducts regular monthly audits and reports the findings to the District Collector with a copy furnished to the Commissioner of Customs.
Such releases must be reported within 48 hours to the Deputy Collector for Operations by the CY/CFS operator for delivery copies, and immediately by the PID for gatekeeper's copies.
The operator must contract a safekeeping service that encrypts and stores release and acknowledgment messages using two encryption keys (one known only to BOC and one to the operator) and safely keep backups at their premises.
The order took effect immediately on February 14, 2001, and will last until revoked, modified, or superseded.