PH implements digital invoicing of imported commodities

The new policy will be implemented in phases, which should be completed in 2 years.

BOC will lead the rollout of the system. Photo from BOC FB page

Enhancing customs procedures

The government issued Administrative Order No. 23, series. 2024 which orders the rollout of a digital and integrated system for the electronic invoicing of all import commodities.

It was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 13 and uploaded to the Official Gazette on May 19.

Under the AO, a committee for Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing will be formed. This will be headed by the finance secretary and shall convene at least once every quarter.

The committee will be responsible for formulating guidelines and implementing rules and regulations for the conduct of Pre-Border Technical Verification of all commodities by accredited Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Companies before exporting to the Philippines.

They will also establish the procedures for the procurement of a Cross-border Electronic Invoicing System which will be the platform for the creation, uploading, and storage of electronic invoices for imports covered by a digital verification certificate from TIC companies.

Guidelines will be issued for the accreditation of third-party TUC firms, the AO said. The committee should ensure the mechanism for accreditation shall be competitive, transparent, and in accordance with international trade standards, and existing laws, it added.

The panel shall submit to the president a bi-annual report about its accomplishments, and status of timelines, and targets.

The Bureau of Customs will be primarily responsible for implementing the electronic invoicing system, which will be in three phases starting with agricultural goods, followed by non-agricultural goods with health and safety issues, and other goods with misdeclaration to avoid duties and taxes.

Under the order, the committee shall set timelines and targets for the phased implementation, provided that the Pre-border Technical Verification and Cross-border Electronic Invoicing System shall be fully implemented within two (2) years from effectivity.

Initial funding for the policy will be charged against the available appropriations of the BOC and member agencies of the committee.

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Source: Official Gazette