The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has strongly encouraged Japanese companies operating within the country to enroll in its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program, reaffirming the Bureau’s commitment to facilitating compliant and secure trade operations. The initiative was highlighted during a targeted outreach visit to the First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Batangas.
The BOC’s AEO Program offers accredited businesses significant benefits, including faster processing, safer supply chains, and smoother movement of goods, all of which are crucial for enhancing global competitiveness.
The visit was a key component of the recent Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-sponsored AEO Workshop held in Manila last November. Officials from the BOC’s Interim AEO Office—Ms. Ma. Socorro Bantilan, Ms. Rhoan Escarmosa, and Atty. Annabelle Dabu—presented the program’s current status, detailed application requirements, and outlined the distinct advantages of AEO certification.
Complementing the BOC’s presentation, experts from the Ministry of Finance, Japan, and Osaka Customs shared valuable best practices from Japan’s long-running and successful AEO implementation.
Participants, including representatives from major Japanese enterprises, expressed strong interest in joining the program. They also underscored the strategic importance of establishing a Philippine-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Such an MRA would maximize cross-border efficiencies, translating into accelerated customs clearance and reduced inspections for trade between the two nations.
“Accreditation has been instrumental in strengthening our trade credibility, significantly reducing inspections, and speeding up our customs processing,” shared Ms. Heidi Trinidad of Brother Industries Inc., offering a direct testimonial on the program’s real-world benefits.
The activity also included a visit to Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc., which is actively pursuing its Level 1 AEO certification.
This proactive engagement reflects the BOC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen trade partnerships and foster a more efficient customs environment. The initiative is firmly aligned with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and is carried forward under the leadership of Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, in steadfast support of responsible enterprises and secure cross-border trade.
