Philippine Customs Services · BOC Accredited Brokerage

Customs Services and Freight Clearance in the Philippines

Accelerate container release and ensure strict trade compliance with professional customs services. We execute formal e2m import entry lodgement, AHTN tariff classification, PEZA zone tax exemptions, and pier gatepass issuance across all major Philippine ports for international importers and exporters.

Sea Freight Port of Manila & MICT Direct e2m lodgement for North and South Harbor terminals linked to our nationwide logistics services.
Air Freight NAIA & Clark Terminals Express air cargo customs release within 4 to 8 hours.
Mindanao Hub DICT & Sasa Wharf Davao Regional gateway for agricultural, textile, and industrial cargo.
Visayas Gateway Cebu International Port Central Philippines transshipment and export customs processing.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Selectivity Routing System

How our customs services team handles each entry routing channel under the electronic-to-mobile (e2m) assessment framework.

Green Lane

Automated Release

2 to 4 Hours Turnaround

No document review or container exam required. Automated assessment directly generates electronic release upon duty confirmation.

Yellow Lane

Documentary Audit

12 to 24 Hours Turnaround

Document check by BOC principal examiner. We submit certified commercial invoices, packing lists, and Certificates of Origin.

Red Lane

Physical & X-Ray

24 to 48 Hours Turnaround

Non-intrusive container scanning or physical stripping. Our customs brokerage staff represents you on site at the port exam shed.

Super Green

SGL Accreditation

Instant Pier Release

Reserved for pre-vetted top corporate importers. We assist qualifying enterprises in completing BOC SGL accreditation.

Comprehensive Customs Services for Commercial Shippers

Engineered to eliminate port demurrage, minimize tariff exposure, and ensure full statutory compliance under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Service 01

Commercial Import & Export Clearance

Complete management of formal consumption and warehousing entries through the BOC electronic-to-mobile system for ocean FCL/LCL containers and air cargo.

  • Single Administrative Document (SAD) lodgement paired with our Bill of Lading compliance guide
  • Commercial invoice & packing list valuation
  • Wharfage, arrastre, and terminal dues settlement
  • Electronic gatepass generation for immediate release
Service 02

Tariff Classification & Valuation

Protect your shipments from misdeclaration penalties and unexpected duty surcharges through rigorous 8-digit ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature review.

  • AHTN 8-digit tariff code assignment benchmarked under PEZA manufacturing incentives
  • Preferential Free Trade Agreement duty cuts (Form D/E)
  • Transaction value defense against BOC benchmark disputes
  • Advance ruling applications before the Tariff Commission
Service 03

PEZA & Bonded Transit Formalities

Duty-free and tax-exempt processing for Philippine Economic Zone Authority locators and registered Customs Bonded Warehouses (CBW) and off-dock commercial warehouse storage.

  • Electronic Zone Transfer System (e-ZTS) permits
  • BOC E-TRACC GPS electronic cargo seal monitoring
  • CREATE Act tax-exempt capital equipment clearance
  • Surety bond processing and automated liquidation

Philippine Duties & Taxes Managed by Our Customs Services

A transparent look at statutory computation rules governing Philippine customs duties, 12% Value-Added Tax, and port charges.

1. Dutiable Value (DV) Calculation Computed as CIF Value (FOB price + international freight + marine insurance) converted into Philippine Pesos using the official Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) customs exchange rate.
2. Customs Duty Assessment Calculated as Dutiable Value multiplied by the statutory tariff rate (0% to 30% depending on AHTN code). Preferential Form D or Form E certificates reduce this rate to 0%.
3. Value-Added Tax (VAT) Calculation Statutory 12% VAT applied to the sum of Dutiable Value, Customs Duty, and mandatory customs charges. Accredited PEZA enterprises qualify for VAT zero-rating.
4. Terminal Charges & Arrastre Dues Container terminal handling, wharfage, and cargo processing fees settled directly with terminal operators (ICTSI, ATI) to secure immediate pier exit pass.
Official Customs Assessment Slip Sample Commercial Entry Computation
BOC E2M Standard
1. Commercial Value (CIF USD) USD 10,000.00
2. BSP Customs Exchange Rate PHP 58.50
3. Dutiable Value (DV in PHP) PHP 585,000.00
4. Customs Duty (e.g. 5% AHTN Tariff) PHP 29,250.00
5. Customs Fees and Legal Research PHP 1,000.00
6. Value-Added Tax (12% of VAT Base) PHP 73,830.00
Total Statutory Duties & Taxes Payable through Authorized Agent Bank
PHP 104,080.00
Exact duties subject to commodity HS code classification and applicable Free Trade Agreement preferential rates (Form D or Form E).

Chronological Customs Services Audit Trail

How our customs services track and clear your cargo from pre-arrival manifest to terminal exit gatepass.

Day -3 to -1

Pre-Arrival Document Audit

Review of verified Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing list, and regulatory permits prior to vessel docking, eliminating last-minute documentation delays.

Day 0 (Vessel Berth)

E2M Electronic Entry Lodgement

Submission of Single Administrative Document into the BOC e2m system immediately upon carrier manifest registration, prompting selectivity lane assignment.

Day +1

Assessment & Duties Settlement

Final computation and payment settlement through Authorized Agent Banks (AAB) or BancNet electronic payment gateway to trigger immediate customs release.

Day +2

Pier Gatepass & Hauler Dispatch

Receipt of electronic gatepass, settlement of terminal storage fees, and dispatch of nominated haulers for direct container pick-up from the pier.

Customs Advisory: Demurrage Prevention & Core FAQs

Practical guidance from our customs services team on avoiding costly port storage traps and ensuring timely container release.

Top Port Demurrage Traps to Avoid

Discrepancy Between B/L and Commercial Invoice Any variance in carton counts, gross weights, or consignee names triggers an immediate Red Lane hold. We pre-audit documents 3 days prior to arrival.
Missing Agency Permits (FDA, BPI, BAI) Regulated goods arriving without active clearances incur daily terminal storage surcharges. Our customs services confirm permit readiness before origin departure.
Expired Importer CPRS Accreditation An expired Bureau of Customs importer profile prevents e2m entry submission. We monitor annual accreditation renewals to keep your account active.

Frequently Asked Questions About Customs Services

How long does customs clearance typically take? Green Lane entries clear within 2 to 4 hours. Yellow Lane documentary reviews take 12 to 24 hours. Red Lane physical container exams take 24 to 48 hours.
What is the difference between formal and informal entry? Informal entry covers non-commercial goods or shipments with FOB value under 50,000 Philippine Pesos. Formal entry is mandatory for all commercial imports of 50,000 Pesos or higher.
Can our nominated trucking company collect the cleared container? Yes. Once our customs services secure the electronic gatepass, we release authorization to your nominated hauler or provide our own bonded trucking fleet.
Customs Services Inquiry

Request Customs Services & Clearance Support

Send us your Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, destination port, and commodity description. Our customs services team will prepare a formal classification and clearance proposal.

Quote turnaround: 24 hours for tariff classification, duties computation, and customs clearance proposals.