Title
Rules on Pre-Shipment Inspection for Duty Free
Law
Boc Customs Administrative Order No. 4-97
Decision Date
Oct 14, 1997
This administrative order mandates pre-shipment inspection of all goods imported for duty-free shops in Freeports and Special Economic Zones to prevent abuse of import privileges and protect local industries, with specific guidelines on compliance and fees.
A

Scope and Coverage

  • Applies to all goods imported into the Philippines bound for duty free shops/outlets.
  • Includes goods imported for trading warehouses catering to duty free shops/outlets within Freeports and Special Economic Zones.

Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) Requirement

  • All imported goods for duty free shops/outlets ("DFS Goods") must undergo PSI by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) in the country of export.
  • Exceptions to PSI:
    • DFS goods with Letter of Credit (LC) opened before the Order's effectivity.
    • DFS goods financed by means other than LC with Bill of Lading or Airwaybill dated before the Order's effectivity.

Declaration and Appeal Procedures

  • Duty free shop goods must be declared based on the Clean Report of Findings (CRF) from SGS.
  • Importers have the right to appeal the CRF as per specified existing regulations (CMO 39-92, Joint Order No. 1-91, CMO 3-95).

Consequences of Non-Compliance

  • DFS goods without CRF are subject to sanctions including those outlined in Joint Order No. 1-91, CMO 9-95, Customs Administrative Order No. 4-94.
  • Violations may lead to suspension or cancellation of the operation of the concerned duty free shop/outlet as per Section 9 of Executive Order 444.

PSI Fee and Payment

  • The importer/consignee bears the PSI fee.
  • Fee is 0.6% of the FOB value but not less than US$225, except:
    • If shipment FOB value is less than US$2,500, PSI fee is fixed at US$150.
  • Fee amount is indicated by SGS on the CRF.
  • Detailed fee payment mechanics are to be issued separately by the Commissioner of Customs.

Entry Filing and Documentation Requirements

  • Filing, documentation, and clearance of DFS goods follow existing import procedures for Freeports and Special Economic Zones.
  • DFS importers must secure an Import Advice Notice (I.A.N.) through:
    • Authorized Agent Bank (AAB) for LC-covered shipments.
    • Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for non-LC transactions.
    • Or directly with SGS Manila Liaison Office.
  • Upon import entry filing, importers must present:
    • Original SGS CRF.
    • Proof of PSI fee payment.

Repealing Clause

  • All prior orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Order are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

  • The Order takes effect 15 days after its approval on October 14, 1997.

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