The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will implement a system that will track the inland movement of containerized cargoes during transit and transfer to other customs territories and facilities.

The web-based Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) System will allow BOC to track, monitor, and audit the location and condition of cargoes, as well as obtain real-time alarms on, among others, diversion and tampering of cargoes.

The establishment of the E-TRACC System is embodied in Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 04-2020, signed by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on February 4 and effective February 10.

CMO 04-2020 implements Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 15-2019, which covers the movement within customs territory of foreign goods for outright exportation, warehousing, and those admitted to Free Zones, as well as the transfer of goods from customs facilities and warehouses (CFW).

Under CMO 04-2020, an electronic customs seal (ECS) will be required during the transfer of cargo to a container yard/container freight station (CY/CFS) or other CFWs; transit of cargo bound for Free Zones, inland customs office, depots, or terminals; transit to customs bonded warehouses (CBW); export of cargo from Free Zones, inland customs office, depots or terminals, and CBWs to port of loading; and transfer of shipments subject to further verification and/or monitoring.

The ECS is a GPS-enabled sealing device or lock that can physically secure a cargo and provide real-time information on its location.

All container vans covered by CMO 04-2020 will be affixed with an ECS before being cleared to depart from the starting point or point of discharge for the voyage to the end point or point of destination.

Except when circumstances warrant under CMO 04-2020, full completion of customs cargo clearance is mandatory before any shipment is sealed with an ECS.

BOC will have an E-TRACC System dashboard showing the data collected and transmitted by the system service provider. This will allow BOC to monitor the movement and location of all containers as well as get real-time alarms both on the dashboard and by email.

BOC’s Piers and Inspection Division (PID), or its equivalent office at each port of entry or destination, will remotely monitor the sealing and unsealing operations, authorize the start and end trip of the vehicle loaded with transit import/export cargo, and monitor for alarms.

(For the full article, please visit https://www.portcalls.com/boc-orders-e-tracking-of-cargoes-in-transit/)