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angle-left ADVISORY: Joint Administrative Order No. 20‑01- Adoption of Processes for the Expedited Release of Refrigerated Containers and Dry Vans During the Period of Enhanced Community Quarantine

Joint Administrative Order No. 20‑01:
Adoption of Processes for the Expedited Release of Refrigerated Containers and Dry Vans During the Period of Enhanced Community Quarantine

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its partner agencies signed Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 20-01 to set inter-agency guidelines to prevent port congestion and supply chain disruptions.

The JAO was signed on 02 April 2020 by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar, Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago.

A summary of the topics covered in the JAO are as follows:

  1. Scope
    The JAO covers the transport of chilled, frozen, and dry goods.
    • Chilled - pharmaceuticals/medicine, fruits, veggies, chilled meat,
    • Frozen - fish, meat
    • Dry goods - including but not limited to Out of Gauge cargoes
  2. Reduced Processing Times
    Permits and licenses for release of containers currently in ports within three working days from the issuance of the order.
  3. Abandonment for Non-withdrawal of Reefers importers or consignees are directed to effect immediate withdrawal fo reefer containers, otherwise face abandonment proceedings.
  4. Customs Clearance under COVID-19
    States the timelines of customs clearance applications with and without lodgement.
  5. Online Applications
    The BOC shall continue to implement a system for electronic lodgement, online filing of goods declaration, including payment of duties and taxes, acceptance of electronic copies of import permits, clearances, and other documents to expedite processing.
  6. Pullout/Transfer of Refrigerated Containers
    States the rules for pulling out and transferring containers that are overstaying at the ports.
  7. Publication of Reefer List
    The list of reefer containers pending at the ports will be published in government websites, social media, and leading newspapers. Non-withdrawal of these shall result in abandonment.
  8. Operating hours
    • Shipping lines are required to operate from 8 am to 5 pm.
    • Port operators and off-dock CY facilities will be open 24/7.
  9. Penal Provision
    Violators will be subject to penalties imposed by the BOC, PPA and other concerned agencies.
  10. Implementing Rules
    The BOC, PPA, DTI, DA will immediately issue their respective implementing rules.

The JAO was published in the Official Gazette on 03 April 2020 and is now in effect.

 

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