BOC launches ‘TIO’ to further boost govt. trade facilitation policy

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno announced the creation of a new ‘Top Importers’ Office’ (TIO) to further advance the government’s “commitment to faster, more transparent and more efficient trade processes.”

The Customs Chief said that under Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 06-2026, the TIO would function as the “central coordinating office and primary point of contact” for top importers, exporters, and key third parties engaged in customs-related operations.

The TIO is also expected to strengthen coordination, facilitate the resolution of operational concerns, and support the secure and seamless movement of goods.

Moving forward, top importers shall be identified using objective and risk-based criteria, including customs revenue contribution, transaction volume and value, compliance history, and overall economic significance.

The roster shall likewise be subject to periodic review and monitoring to ensure continued compliance and accountability.

“This initiative strengthens trust between the Bureau of Customs and the trade community while ensuring that facilitation remains anchored on integrity and compliance,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.

“Through the TIO, we are building a customs environment that is more responsive, transparent, and supportive of legitimate trade and economic growth.”

The creation of the TIO is a key pillar of the Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) agenda of Commissioner Nepomuceno, reinforcing transparent processes, stakeholder accountability, and globally aligned customs practices.

The BOC, however, did not clarify how the TIO differentiates or complements its current trade facilitation program such as the “Greenlane” and the “Super Greenlane” (SGL).

In a related development, the BOC also announced the extension of the accreditation of customs brokers, to align with the same privilege accorded to exporters and importers.

The BOC said the increase in the validity of customs brokers’ registration would be done thru the ‘Client Profile Registration System’ (CPRS), in accordance with Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 05-2019.

In a further directive last May 13, Commissioner Nepomuceno said the Certificate of Registration for Individual Customs Brokers and General Professional Partnerships (GPPs) will be valid for 3 years from the date of issuance, unless sooner suspended or revoked for cause.

The Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) is also directed to “configure” and update the CPRS and all related customs electronic systems to reflect the prescribed validity period, validate registration status, and restrict the lodging of goods declarations to brokers with valid and active registrations.

The system enhancements shall likewise include mechanisms for monitoring compliance with annual reportorial requirements within the validity period.

Likewise, the Accounts Management Office (AMO) is instructed to strictly implement and enforce the three-year validity period in the processing, approval, and monitoring of Customs Broker registrations, including the validation and cleansing of existing records to ensure alignment with CAO No. 05-2019.