Alam po namin na ginagawa lang ng mga kababayan nating mga taga-Bureau of Customs ang kanilang mga tungkulin. Hindi po sa ayaw sumunod ng mga OFW sa batas, ang problema po eh di po pinapaalam sa mga tao ang batas na dapat naming sundin.
Hangga't di pa po nailalabas ang revision na sinasabi nila for Customs Memorandum Order #79-90 ito po ang mga dapat alamin ng mga kapwa natin na nagpapabagahe:
Q: Bakit nga ba nagpapa-box ang mga OFW?
---> Alam ng lahat ng mga tao na normal sa mga OFW na magpadala ng box sa Pinas. At alam ito ng mga taga-Customs kaya nga sila gumawa ng batas regarding dyan para maiwasan ang smuggling sa bawat balikbayan box.
Q: Bakit ngayon lang naghihigpit?
---> Kasi po marami na ang nagsasamantala. May mga nagpapadala ng bawal katulad ng mga baril at kung anu-ano pa. Ito rin naman po ay para sa kapakanan ng buong bayan. Safety ng mga tao.
Q: 100% Examination/Random Inspection nasa katwiran ba?
---> Opo, may katwiran. Nakasaad po yan sa 79-90: 3.3.1.
3.3.1 Regular Examination - where the Consignor's Export Declaration and Packing List is attached to the box/package containing the individual consignment/shipment, the assigned Customs examiner may conduct the examination at random and, thereby, make a speedy determination whether the contents correspond with the packing list.
100% Examination - A thorough 100% examination shall be conducted where -
3.3.1.1 The Consignor's Export Declaration and Packing List is not attached to the box/package; or
3.3.1.2 The consolidated shipment is covered by a duly issued derogatory alert/information; or when in the course of conducting the regular examination a violation/discrepancy is found which warrants the issuance of WSD, Provided that either case, the provisions of CMO No. 65-89, dated 12 July 1989, shall be duly and strictly complied.
---> May karapatan ang mga taga-Customs na halughugin kahit po ang conta-container na mga shipments lalo na po kung may Alert Order o ang Packing List/Invoice eh hindi tugma.
Q: Ano ang dapat gawin para maiwasan na mapatawan ng extra duties and taxes?
3.5 Limitations
3.5.1 As to Value ---- U$500.00
3.5.2 As to Quantity
3.5.2.1 Foodstuffs such as canned goods, grocery items, etc. ---- 1 dozen a kind
3.5.2.2 Wearing apparel and clothing material not exceeding 3 yards per cut, whether used or new ---- 1 dozen of a kind
3.5.2.3 Other household personal effects, whether used or new ----- 1 dozen of a kind
3.5.3 Number of box/packages ----- 1
3.5.4 As to frequency --- One individual consignment per consignor/sender during 6-month period.
Provided that, home appliances, whether used or new, shall be disallowed, and provided further that, any consignments/shipment entered in violation limits herein fixed shall be automatically be subjected to seizure proceedings without prejudice to the cancellation/revocation of the certificate of registration of Freight Forwarder/Consolidator as well as cancellation of the accreditation of the Breakbulk/Consolidation Agent;
Provided, however that in case of consolidated shipments consisting of personal and household effects and used home appliances belonging to returning Filipino residents and overseas contract workers, and accompanying them to their return or arriving within a reasonable time, the privileges granted under Executive Order No. 206 dated June 30, 1987 subject to the conditions hereunder shall remain granted to Filipinos coming to settle in the Philippines who are now residents or citizens of other countries under existing laws with respect to their personal and household effect accompanying them on their return or arriving within a reasonable time shall in no way be prejudiced by this Order, and Provided finally that the overseas Filipinos is advised to avail the privileges under R.A. No. 6788 that allows them to purchase good duty and tax free up to the amount of US $1,000.00 at philippine duty free shops once a year.
---> Ang mga sumusunod po sa taas ang dapat tandaan. Halimbawa po hanggang isang dosena lang po ang pwede nating padala na corned beef, isang dosenang canned sausage, isang dosenang sabon at kung anu-ano pa. Ang lalampas po dun ay mapapatawan na po ng duties and taxes. Bawal na bawal po ang mga appliances. At ang mahuhulihan na mga forwarders, kapag ang kanilang senders ay lumalabag sa batas na ito, ay maaaring makansela ang mga accreditation to transact in Bureau of Cutsoms.
Ang mga sumusunod po ang dapat nating tuparin. Kung tayo ay susunod wala po tayong dapat ikabahala. :)
Q: Pero ano nga ba talaga ang kinakatakot natin kapag binuksan ang mga box?
--->Ang nakawan. Kasi sa totoo lang, kapag sinabi na po ng forwarders natin na "binuksan kasi ng customs" at may nawala eh wala na po talagang mahahabol ang OFW. Kaya ang tanging maipapayo po dyan eh kumuha ng maayos na freight forwarders. Yung tipong tututok sa bawat bagahe na bubuksan, yung may malasakit sa mga kliyente nilang OFW. Kasi madalas pa sa minsan eh mga tao mismo sa loob ng freight forwarders ang nagnanakaw ng mga laman ng bagahe.
Maging mahinahon tayo. Alamin ang batas. Pumili ng maayos ng freight forwarder. :)
