Question & AnswerQ&A (PSC)
The policy of the state is to facilitate and assist the development and growth of Philippine trade and the national economy by enhancing the legitimate interests of Philippine shippers, promoting and professionalizing the freight forwarding industry through registration and accreditation, and establishing an environment conducive to free competition.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Shippersa Bureau (SHIPPERCON), is tasked with the registration and accreditation of these entities.
A Freight Forwarder is a cargo intermediary enterprise which directly or indirectly procures the transport of goods on behalf of its customer by booking ship space, negotiating freight rates, preparing documents, advancing freight payments, providing trucking and warehousing and related undertakings, without assuming the role of a carrier.
An NVOCC is a transport enterprise which publishes its own freight tariff, issues its own bills of lading, and assumes all responsibilities of a common carrier without operating its own vessels.
Freight Forwarders must have a minimum paid-up capital of P300,000.00, while NVOCCs must have a minimum paid-up capital of P500,000.00.
Freight Forwarders must have a Merchandise in Transit (Floater) Insurance or Through Transport Club Insurance with coverage of at least P300,000.00.
The change of ownership results in the automatic revocation of the Certificate of Registration, and the new owner must apply for a new registration.
Those who fail to renew their registration upon expiration will be immediately delisted and disallowed from conducting business with government entities that are parties to the Memorandum of Understanding.
The Committee is composed of representatives from MARINA, BOC, CAB, and SHIPPERCON, assisted by a Secretariat appointed by the SHIPPERCON Director.
SHIPPERCON staff has the authority to conduct inspections of premises and documents of applicants or registered entities, request the preparation and examination of documents, and monitor performance or compliance with the rules.
No, the certificate is non-transferable and shall not be used by any person or entity other than the one to whom it was issued.
Corporations must submit a list of officers/directors with addresses, audited financial statements showing minimum paid-up capital, a list of foreign agents or offices with contracts, and company profile including SEC documents and equipment or contracts.
Single proprietors must have two years of relevant experience, list of equipment and facilities, two years of tax returns, proof of financial resources, vehicle registration papers, list of agents/principals, and a business name registration certificate.
The filing and processing fee is P3,000.00, with an additional P1,000.00 for every new category applied for.