Question & AnswerQ&A (DTI ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 05, DECEMBER 04, 2001)
This Administrative Order prescribes the rules and regulations on the issuance of the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) for import shipments covered by mandatory Philippine National Standards under the implementation authority of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS).
The Import Commodity Clearance is a document issued by the DTI attesting that the quality of an imported product conforms to a Philippine National Standard or BPS-recognized international/foreign standard.
The importer must submit a completed application form in triplicate along with the Packing List, Certified True Copy of Import Entry, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, Certified True Copy of Customs Examiner's Findings, DTI Business Registration Certificate/SEC Registration Certificate, Summary of Batch Numbers/Serial Numbers covered by the mandatory standard, Power of Attorney or Board Resolution if applicable, and original test reports from Accredited Testing Laboratory of the country of origin when applicable.
There are three options: 1) Import shipment without Test Certificate/Report, 2) Import shipment with Test Certificate/Report, and 3) Import shipment with Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark.
The shipment may be given a conditional release from Customs custody pending the issuance of the ICC, subject to inspection, sampling, and testing by authorized DTI personnel to ensure compliance with the Philippine National Standard.
All subsequent import shipments of that product from that country will be subjected to per shipment sampling and testing by the DTI, regardless of the importer, until product quality consistency with the test certificates is reestablished to the satisfaction of the DTI.
Violations are subject to administrative actions under Executive Order No. 913, Series of 1983, without prejudice to criminal or civil actions under Republic Act No. 4109 and/or Republic Act No. 7394.
The fees include a Three Hundred Pesos (P300.00) application form fee, transportation and lodging costs for inspectors when necessary, testing expenses, and a non-refundable processing fee based on invoice value ranging from Php 5,000.00 to Php 10,000.00 per product per Bill of Lading/Airway Bill.
Importers must ensure that imported products are properly labeled with product identification and traceability information such as the production lot or batch, which is also the basis for the issuance of the ICC.
No, the Import Commodity Clearance Mark must not be used in a misleading manner or on any product not covered by an ICC issued by the DTI Regional/Provincial Office.
They shall not be disposed of in the domestic market and must be properly disposed of following the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code and other pertinent rules and regulations.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette.