Members of the SGV Indirect Tax (IDT) team conducted a webinar entitled Exploring Trade Opportunities Through the Lens of Logistical Challenges with the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) on 17 November 2022. Representatives from the BCCP and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) participated in the joint event, which was held online via Zoom.
Speakers at the Exploring Trade Opportunities Through the Lens of Logistical Challenges webinar
SGV IDT Senior Director Atty. Alden Patrick C. Labaguis and Ms. Genilyn D. Minardo, Customs Operations Officer V of the BOC, led the webinar. Atty. Alden commenced the webinar by giving a brief update about the Bureau of Customs’ collections as of 31 October 2022, and the factors contributing to the BOC’s revenue and collections. He shared his extensive knowledge on common customs issues and possible workarounds to help clients address these issues and, consequently, help the government to collect the proper taxes on importation. He discussed major customs issues relating to port congestion, logistical delays resulting in demurrage and detention fees, concerns on the issuance of import permits and government approval, and lengthy customs procedures.
Atty. Alden also discussed the governing customs laws in the Philippines, new rules on importation accreditation, Super Green Lane (SGL) accreditation and its benefits, lodgment procedures, post-clearance audit (PCA), the importance of the Prior Disclosure Program (PDP), advance rulings, and the computation of duties, taxes, freight, penalties, and interests. Meanwhile, Ms. Genilyn discussed the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program.
Both speakers addressed questions from the participants during the open forum. SGV IDT Associate Director Atty. Gracia Mae A. Beronilla, and Senior Associates Attys. Michelle V. Alvaro, Charlene Joy W. Millares, Andrea Nicole C. Loreno, and Natividad G. Busa were part of the webinar's organizing team.
