GLOBAL courier Federal Express (FedEx) cited the Bureau of Customs under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno and the Port of Clark under Collector Jairus Reyes, for approving the operation of additional chartered flights and relaxing the rules on transfer permit that helped speed up the movement and delivery of its cargoes all over the country with the Port of Clark as the transit point.
Maribeth Espinosa, FedEx Philippines Managing Director, in a letter to Commissioner Nepomuceno dated January 16, noted the BOC decision “significantly supported” the company’s operational efficiency.
Moving forward, FedEx has increased its chartered flights to seven times a week or one flight daily, in addition to its regular flights from China.
The relaxing on the rules on transfer permit now allows FedEx containers to be transferred to its bonded warehouse that greatly reduces the processing time of shipments for delivery to recipients while maintaining full compliance with customs laws and regulations.
Under the relaxed environment, Espinosa also informed the Customs chief that the first charter flight was successfully completed on January 13, helping prevent delivery backlogs, particularly for parcels arriving during early morning hours at Clark.
FedEx was originally based at the Port of Clark but decided to relocate to mainland China in 2009 as its main Asia-Pacific hub in recognition of China’s growing role in global trade.
In 2019, FedEx decided to return to the Port of Clark but with China remaining the main base of its operations in the region.
FedEx also acknowledged the strong support of Port of Clark District Collector Jarius Reyes and his team, as well as Deputy Commissioner Atty. Agaton Teodoro Uvero of the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, citing their hands-on coordination as key to the smooth and timely approval.
“For many Filipinos, faster cargo processing means quicker delivery of online purchases, business shipments, and essential goods,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
“Our goal in Customs is to protect our borders while making sure legitimate goods reach people without unnecessary delay,” the Customs chief added.