Scope and Coverage
- Applies to baggage of passengers on international flights arriving at NAIA with connections to domestic airports with customs, e.g., Mactan, Davao, Zamboanga, Laoag, and Clark.
General Provisions on Transshipment
- Transfer of baggage requires application and approval of a Transshipment Permit Local (TPL) by Customs.
- Baggage under TPL is subject to x-ray or physical examination.
- Customs authority at international port must notify Collector at domestic destination port of baggage arrival, and receipt must be acknowledged.
Procedures Before Arrival of International Flight
- Airline representative submits TPL application to Entry Processing Unit (EPU), listing passenger names, baggage, tags, and domestic destinations.
- EPU endorses application for verification by Deputy Collector for Passenger Service or designated officers.
- Upon approval, TPL receives a control number and distribution of multiple copies to various customs and airline units.
- Approving officer promptly notifies Collector of Customs at domestic destination via fastest communication means; green copy of TPL sent immediately.
- Customs guard/AOD escort assigned to baggage upon receipt of original TPL.
Procedures Upon Arrival at Airport of Entry
- Customs Guard ensures loading of baggage covered by TPL in marked containers or individually tagged if containers cannot be used.
- Airline representative presents TPL copy and supporting documents to Duty Collector or TR Flight Supervisor.
- Duty Collector and Interim Scanning Unit (ISU) team are informed about transshipped baggage arrival.
- Assigned Customs Guard escorts baggage to ISU for mandatory x-ray examination.
Customs Examination of Baggage
- ISU conducts x-ray examination of TPL baggage.
- Baggage flagged during x-ray or with alerts undergo physical examination in presence of airline and Customs officers.
- Customs examiner requires presentation of Baggage/Customs Declaration before physical inspection.
- Regulated, prohibited items or contraband are seized and stored; appropriate action taken against owner/carrier.
- TPL notes baggage disallowed for transshipment.
- Baggage passing examination undergoes physical count and formalities; Customs Guard signs boatnote.
- If x-ray is not possible, physical examination arranged at entry or destination port and Collector of Customs at destination is informed.
Loading and Transfer to Domestic Flights
- Customs Guard supervises loading into properly marked containers and seals them with numbered airline seals.
- Transfer of baggage to domestic Build-up Area monitored by Customs Guard to ensure correct flight loading.
Procedures at Final Domestic Destination
- Upon receiving TPL green copy and telex, Collector of Customs assigns Customs Guard for transshipped baggage.
- Authorized airline representative acknowledges receipt of sealed containers/pushcarts.
- Customs Guard escorts baggage to Customs Inspection; verifies inspection at port of entry; directs examination if none done.
- Cleared baggage is released immediately; discrepancies reported to Collector for action.
- Collector of Customs at destination promptly notifies approving officer at entry port and returns documents via airline pouch.
Handling Misrouted Baggage
- Collector for Passenger Service (DC-PS) informs airline Station Manager for return of erroneously delivered baggage to Manila under transshipment.
- Upon return to NAIA, Customs Guard takes custody and endorses baggage to Customs Storekeeper; notifications sent accordingly.
Repeal of Previous Orders
- All prior Orders inconsistent with this are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Order takes effect immediately upon issuance on September 30, 2003, under Commissioner Antonio M. Bernardo.