In a decisive move to bolster trade facilitation and ease the flow of goods into the country, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered a significant reduction in the processing time for valuation requests.
Under a new memorandum signed on April 14, 2026, the turnaround time for the Import Assessment Service (IAS) has been cut from five working days to just three working days upon receipt of complete documentation.
The directive is part of the Bureau’s ongoing digital and administrative transformation aimed at eliminating bottlenecks in the supply chain. By shortening the evaluation window, the BOC aims to provide importers and stakeholders with a more predictable and transparent environment.
“Our goal is to harmonize efficiency with compliance,” said Commissioner Nepomuceno. “By mandating a three-day turnaround, we are not just speeding up paperwork; we are reducing the cost of doing business and ensuring that the Bureau remains a partner in national economic growth.”
The memorandum outlines strict protocols to ensure that the accelerated timeline does not result in administrative gridlock:
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Strict Adherence: All BOC personnel across all ports of entry are mandated to observe the new 72-hour window.
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Automatic Escalation: In instances where the IAS is unable to issue a valuation clearance within the prescribed three-day period, the concerned ports are authorized to proceed with the processing and release of shipments.
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Safety Guards: The expedited release is strictly subject to full compliance with existing customs laws and the submission of all required documentary evidence to prevent any loss of revenue for the government.
This policy shift addresses long-standing requests from the business community for faster clearance cycles. By providing a “fail-safe” mechanism—allowing ports to move forward if the IAS misses the deadline—the Bureau ensures that legitimate trade is never held hostage by clerical delays.
The BOC continues to modernize its risk management and assessment systems, ensuring that even with faster processing times, the integrity of border protection and revenue collection remains uncompromised.
