BOC CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-2009, October 26, 2009

[ BOC CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-2009, October 26, 2009 ]

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS OF CAO 2-97 GOVERNING THE 150-DAY ALLOWABLE DWELL TIME OF FOREIGN CONTAINERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

In view of the global economic downturn that has resulted to a steep decline in container demand, a sudden surge of vessel lay-ups worldwide and a significant slowdown in the movement and repositioning of empty containers in Asia, including the Philippines, the operational provisions of CAO 2-97 subjecting foreign containers to payment of duties, taxes and other charges in the event that their stay exceeds the 150-day dwell-time, is hereby temporarily suspended subject to the following conditions:

1. the suspension shall apply to containers that arrived in January 2009 onwards but not later than December 31, 2009; and

2. the suspension shall only be until December 31, 2009 unless extended further by the

Department of Finance upon meritorious grounds.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 26 Oct. 2009

(SGD.) NAPOLEON L. MORALES Commissioner

APPROVED:

(SGD.) MARGARITO B. TEVES Secretary of Finance