Question & AnswerQ&A (BOC CUSTOMS MEMORANDUM ORDER 1-2004)
The main purpose is to prevent misdeclaration and fraud upon Customs with regard to refrigerated container shipments (reefer shipments) by providing guidelines for their examination and inspection.
All reefer shipments, whether entered for consumption, warehousing, or domestic transshipment, are subject to Customs examination/inspection except those otherwise provided in the Order.
Fresh and frozen meat/poultry, vegetables, and other equivalent products shall be subject to a one-time examination/inspection jointly conducted with concerned agencies like BAI, NMIC, and BPI.
The 100% examination shall be conducted in a cold storage facility or in a location that protects the shipment from deterioration and contamination of other shipments.
The examination/inspection shall be scheduled immediately and conducted within regular office hours/day but may continue or be conducted outside regular hours for valid reasons, subject to overtime fees.
Import shipments destined for PEZA-registered ecozones with Import Permit by PEZA, shipments to semiconductor industries/members of SEIPI, and temperature-sensitive non-agricultural products such as paints, organic peroxides, and other chemicals are exempted.
The District Collector of the port is responsible for the smooth and effective implementation and must submit weekly reports on reefer shipments examined and released.
Violations may lead to administrative charges such as dishonesty, neglect of duty, misconduct, inefficiency, or incompetence, with penalties ranging from suspension for six months and one day to one year or dismissal under the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.
Yes, without prejudice to criminal charges as may be warranted, violations by Customs officers/personnel may also lead to administrative liability.
Yes, all other orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Order are repealed or modified accordingly.