The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has extended importer accreditation validity from one year to three years while reducing associated fees, a move designed to streamline procedures, cut red tape, and sustain the steady flow of goods into the country.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the reform will ease administrative burdens and improve trade efficiency. “By extending the validity of importer accreditation, we are reducing red tape and enabling a more efficient trade system that can meet growing consumer demand and support local industries,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
“This reform allows businesses to focus more on operations and growth rather than administrative requirements.”
Under a Customs Administrative Order signed by Go, the accreditation fee has been reduced from P2,000 annually—equivalent to P6,000 over three years—to a one-time payment of P5,000 covering the entire three-year period. The change lowers compliance costs and simplifies payment processes for importers.
To maintain regulatory oversight and updated records, accredited importers are required to submit an Annual Reportorial Compliance (ARC) within 30 days of their accreditation anniversary.
The order also introduces clearer guidelines for automatic renewal. Importers with six consecutive years of uninterrupted and compliant accreditation may qualify for automatic renewal, further reducing procedural friction for established traders.
The policy applies to participants in key trade facilitation programs, including Authorized Economic Operators and Super Green Lane importers, aligning regulatory practices with broader efforts to enhance efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness in cross-border trade.
