The Bureau of Customs (BOC) welcomed the statement of support issued by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on the newly implemented Customs Administrative Order (CAO) extending the validity of importer accreditation to three (3) years and reducing total accreditation‑related fees.
In its statement dated 15 April 2026, the ECCP commended the Department of Finance (DOF), under the leadership of Secretary Frederick D. Go, together with the Bureau of Customs under Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, for advancing a reform that enhances trade facilitation and strengthens the country’s investment climate.
The ECCP underscored that the longer accreditation validity and lower fees reduce administrative requirements for importers, allowing businesses to focus more on productivity and growth. The group further noted that the reform contributes to a more transparent, efficient, and competitive trade environment, consistent with national objectives for sustainable economic development.
The CAO forms part of the government’s broader effort to promote ease of doing business and regulatory rationalization. By reducing the frequency of accreditation renewals and lowering overall fees, the policy supports greater compliance and provides increased operational certainty for the trading community.
BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno welcomed the ECCP’s assessment, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder feedback in the development and implementation of effective customs policies.
“The ECCP’s feedback is an important input as we continue to refine our processes. Our objective is to maintain a predictable and business‑friendly customs environment that facilitates legitimate trade while upholding revenue collection and border protection mandates,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
Consistent with Commissioner Nepomuceno’s Integrity, Accountability, and Modernization (IAM) program, the CAO promotes integrity through transparent accreditation rules, reinforces accountability by reducing procedural redundancies, and supports modernization by facilitating efficient and compliant trade operations, while safeguarding government revenue.
The ECCP’s endorsement further underscores the value of sustained public‑private sector collaboration in shaping policies that promote trade facilitation and investor confidence. The Bureau of Customs, with the support of the Department of Finance, remains committed to engaging industry stakeholders as it continues to implement modernization initiatives under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
