Question & AnswerQ&A (BOC CUSTOMS MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 20-2003)
The main objective is to provide a mechanism for transferring baggage of arriving international flight passengers with connecting domestic flights to improve service and prevent baggage congestion at the arrival area.
The Order covers international arrival baggage at NAIA with connecting flights to domestic airports with customs complement such as Mactan, Davao, Zamboanga, Laoag, and Clark.
A Transshipment Permit Local (TPL) is a permit required for transferring baggage from international flights to domestic connecting flights. The concerned international airline must apply for this permit.
The airline representative must submit an application for a TPL to the Entry Processing Unit at NAIA, specifying passengers' names, baggage, baggage tag numbers, and domestic ports of destination, followed by approval procedures and assignment of a control number.
Baggage under the TPL shall be subjected to x-ray examination by the Interim Scanning Unit (ISU), and if necessary, physical examination, especially if identified through x-ray for further examination or under alert.
A Customs Guard or AOD escort is assigned to supervise, accompany, and monitor the loading and transfer of baggage containers until they reach the connecting domestic flight.
Such baggage shall be placed in Customs safekeeping for appropriate action against the passenger/owner/carrier, and the TPL will indicate the baggage tag numbers disallowed for transshipment.
The Collector of Customs assigns a Customs Guard to escort the baggage for Customs inspection; if no prior inspection was conducted, the baggage will undergo x-ray or physical examination. After clearance, the baggage is released.
The Deputy Collector for Passenger Service informs the airline Station Manager at the misrouted domestic airport to return the baggage to Manila under transshipment, and upon arrival, the baggage is taken into custody and proper notifications are made.
The Order took effect immediately upon adoption on September 30, 2003, and all previous Orders inconsistent with it are deemed repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.