All importers, shippers, brokers and others concerned are hereby informed that:

*           Beginning 1 April 2000, imports into Philippines are no longer subject to Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) and/or price verification abroad by the Societe General de Surveillance (SGS), hence, may already be shipped into the country without SGS intervention whatsoever.

*           For SGS-covered imports shipped prior to 1 April, the SGS will continue to issue Import Advise Note (IAN) and shall conduct the corresponding inspections abroad, except those scheduled after 31 March, in which case, such inspection is deemed cancelled. It will also no longer accept Requests for Inspections (RFI) filed after 31 March.

*           For SGS-covered imports already inspected on or before 31 March, SGS will issue the covering Clean Report of Findings (CRFs) until 7 April. The last batch of CRFs will be delivered on 10 April. Importers with pending CRF applications are advised to submit their final documents to SGS Manila office so as to meet these final processing dates. SGS will only accept Requests for CRF amendments up to 14 April.

*           CRF-covered shipments arriving after 1 April shall be processed in accordance with the existing procedures involving CRF-covered shipments.

*           For Philippine imports departing the country of exportation on 1 April and thereafter, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall process the same without any CRF, it being not required anymore, and in accordance with the Automated Customs Processing System (ACOS) which has been enhanced taking this into account. Moreover, shipments of qualified importers shall also be processed under a new advance processing facility known as Super Green Lane, allowing for their œship-to-truck  release.

All the above are in line with the expiry on Friday, 31 March 2000 of the SGS contract with the Philippine government subjecting certain imports into the country to Pre-Shipment Inspection and Advance Clearance Scheme (SPACS) by SGS abroad.

Further advisory will be issued regarding the new clearance facility.

Adopted: 21 Mar. 2000

(SGD.) RENATO A. AMPIL
Acting Commissioner