Bureau of Customs Regulations

• The Bureau of Customs (BOC) oversees vessel and aircraft entrance and clearance in foreign commerce, with control over import/export cargoes in piers, airports, wharves, Customs Facilities and Warehouses (CFWs).
• The BOC commitment to the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) aims to simplify customs procedures and facilitate international trade while protecting government revenue and preventing contraband entry.
• Port and airport authorities must grant customs officers with police authority unrestricted access to all areas within their jurisdiction for effective enforcement.
• It is unlawful to board or leave a vessel or aircraft engaged in foreign trade without customs officer permission, except for the master/pilot, consul, quarantine officers, or other authorized personnel.
• Vessels and aircraft in foreign trade must use designated ports of entry, unless otherwise allowed by law, without impairment to existing government contracts for cargo handling.
• Vessels/aircraft arriving from foreign ports must have quarantine clearance before customs clearance to disembark passengers or discharge cargo.
• Vessels/aircraft leaving Philippine ports require an outgoing clearance before customs clearance.
• Manifests or general declarations in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation, with penalties for non-submission as per Section 8.8 of this CAO.
• Upon arrival, shipping/airline companies must provide two hard copies of the Cargo Manifest to the Bureau for the Port of Manila (POM) or Manila International Container Port (MICP), and one copy for other ports of entry.
• The vessel master/pilot must present the original manifest copy, endorsed by the boarding officer, to the District Collector, along with the ship's register/documents and departure clearance papers.
• The Bureau must provide electronic manifest copies to the Commission on Audit Chairperson upon vessel/aircraft arrival from a foreign port.
• All unmanifested cargo received by the vessel master/pilot and crew is subject to specific procedures and potential penalties.
• After boarding formalities, a general permit is issued for cargo discharge under customs surveillance, but it is not an authority for delivery/transfer of import cargo without required permits.
• The customs officer on board must endorse the General Permit to indicate if all import cargoes have been discharged and include the permit in their report.

Unloading of Containerized Cargoes

• Unloading containerized cargoes requires a general permit from the authorized customs officer.
• Customs officers must verify container numbers against the discharging sequence and inspect seal integrity.
• A Discharging Report must be submitted to the Chief, PID (or equivalent office) after unloading.

Unloading of Bulk and Break-bulk

• Bulk and Break-bulk Cargoes require a Load Port Survey Report (LPSR) following Administrative Order No. 243 and 243-A procedures.
• The MISTG will provide electronic LPSR copies to the PID (or equivalent office) before vessel arrival.
• A Discharge Port Survey (DPS) is required if an LPSR is absent before discharge.
• The Bureau may allow bulk/break-bulk discharge with continuous underguarding and other conditions.
• A daily approved request for DPS is required before discharge.

Additional Information

• Ballast of no commercial value may be discharged with a District Collector permit, following DENR rules.
• Direct container/cargo transfer from vessel to truck is allowed with written request approved by the District Collector or representative.
• Vessel sludge discharge requires District Collector approval and adherence to PPA rules with sludge samples taken for duty/tax assessment.
• Bunkering/refueling requires a permit from the Bureau.
• Cargo transfer from one vessel to another requires a permit from the District Collector or representative.
• Cargo shifting requires a written request from the vessel master/agent approved by the District Collector or representative.
• Customs officers must ensure immediate discharge of baggage, parcels, and crew items.
• The Chief Officer/Purser must ensure prompt baggage/parcel discharge to the PID (or equivalent office) underguard.
• No permit is needed for baggage discharge/landing.
• Baggage/parcels discharged into a carrier require underguarding to the PID (or equivalent office) where an authorized officer will sign.
• Store lists are kept under Customs seal, and the seal may only be broken in port with written application approved by the District Collector.
• Only the authorized customs officer can break the seal, allow withdrawal, and re-seal the compartment.

Discharge of Last Package

• Upon discharge completion, the Customs Officer will provide a Certificate of Date of Last Discharge to be recorded in the Advanced Electronic Manifest System.