PHLPost and Bureau of Customs sign MoA to speed up parcel deliveries

Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) which they say will “hasten the procedure in handling of parcels and speed up the delivery of packages”. The MoA was signed by PHLPost Postmaster General (PMG) Joel Otarra and BoC Commissioner Bert Lina.

In a statement issued today (21 March), PHLPost said that the MoA will lead to a “centralized examination and assessment of duties, taxes and other charges on postal items which will be done in the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City”.

PHLPost added: “The MoA is a refinement of the 1973 Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) and the amended MoA last September 2014 whereas PHLPost is deputized as a collecting agent of BoC for duties and taxes and centralized the examination and assessment of parcel entering the country.”

PMG Otarra commented: “The agreement will cut the processing time of parcel handling, as it will be done at the point of entry of all parcel in the country.”

The MoA also indicates the closure of all 17 customs offices in the post office, as designated customs officers will be moved to CMEC.