Law Summary
Scope and Limitations on Amendments
- Amendments must be first validated by involved parties: shipping line, airline, freight forwarder, or consolidator.
- The Electronic to Mobile (E2M) system prohibits amendments to the nature of BL/AWB, consignee's name, and consignee's address.
- Changes to nature or consignee details require submission of a new amended BL/AWB to replace the incorrect document.
- Modifications allowed for certain fields including type of BL, Universal Consignee Reference, container details, status, measurement units, volume, description, location of goods, freight and amount, declared value, currency, transport and insurance costs.
Procedure for Requesting Amendments
- Requests must be filed with the District Collector of Customs.
- Amendments allowed only if:
- Clerical in nature (punctuation, spacing, spelling errors).
- Substantial or material changes (e.g. consignee name/address, goods description) are allowed only if:
- Written request is under oath.
- Import entry has been lodged and submitted with supporting documents.
- No Alert or Hold Orders exist; shipment is not marked abandoned.
- For consignee name change, original consignee must submit an undertaking absolving Bureau of Customs of liability.
Disposition of Amendment Requests
- Requests are filed with the Office of the Deputy Collector for Operations.
- Deputy Collector resolves the request promptly after District Collector approval.
- Approved requests lead to amendments in the E2M system.
- Disapproved requests result in issuance of notice to importer or consignee.
Payment of Processing Fee
- A fee of Five Hundred Philippine Pesos (PhP500.00) applies per amendment request.
- Fee is payable by consignee, shipping line, airline, freight forwarder, or consolidator at time of submission.
Effectivity and Applicability
- Order takes effect immediately.
- Governs all pending and future amendment requests for BL and AWB and similar documents.