BOC chief eyes electronic air waybill for faster cargo clearance, push PH exports

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno is pushing for the rollout of the ‘Electronic Air Waybill’ (e-AWB) to reduce delays, cut costs, and modernize cargo processing to assist in boosting the country’s exports.

“With the Electronic Airway Bill, we aim to remove unnecessary delays and make it easier for stakeholders to move goods efficiently and transparently.

“This forms part of our commitment to a customs service that is modern, connected, and responsive to the needs of trade,” Commissioner Nepomuceno stressed.

In support of his initiative, the BOC – Ninoy Aquino International Airport headed by District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa, thru Deputy Collector Wilnora L. Cawile for Operations and Atty. Maria Liza T. Sebastian, Acting Director, Planning and System Development, Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG), conducted a public consultation and stakeholders’ dialogue last May 22, to present the proposed Proof of Concept (POC) and gather industry input.

The new program is expected to deliver immediate gains for exporters by shortening clearance times, minimizing paperwork, and improving coordination across the logistics chain by digitizing cargo documentation.

The e-AWB is also expected to help eliminate bottlenecks and support smoother and more predictable export operations thru real-time data exchange among shippers, freight forwarders, airlines, and BOC offices.

With faster processing and improved data accuracy, the system is also seen to strengthen the country’s trade competitiveness, making it easier for businesses to move goods efficiently while ensuring compliance and transparency.

The consultation brought together more than a hundred participants, including representatives from the Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association, Inc. (PMTLAI), Airline Operators Council (AOC), freight forwarders, airline operators, shippers, and other stakeholders.

Industry participants provided constructive feedback on operational processes and identified areas for further enhancement, particularly in strengthening automation and system integration to support end-to-end digital transactions.

Also present at the event is Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco, a staunch supporter of the e-AWB initiative.

The initiative forms part of the BOC’s broader modernization program, aligning customs processes with global standards and supporting the administration’s push for faster, technology-driven government services.

The program’s rollout is expected to be completed within 2026.