Customs

The Bureau of Customs has increased the minimum dutiable value from Php10 to Php10,000. The BOC has announced that the Customs Administrative Order (CAO) that will implement a salient feature of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) has already been signed and approved. It is still unclear whether there will be documentary stamp taxes and EVAT that still need to be paid, but the customs will no longer charge for items below Php10,000. To address the heavy volume of inquiries about customs tax and duties, the Bureau of Customs has announced a mobile app to assist the general public. Basically, the app estimates the number of customs duties and taxes to pay for commonly sent items like cellphones, perfumes, jewelry, and more. Aside from that, the app also allows OFWs to track their balikbayan boxes plus provide common info about taxable, non-taxable, and prohibit items, and answer some FAQs. [caption id="attachment_68024" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Photo from DepEd Facebook page[/caption] The Bureau of Customs (BOC) was able to seize 3,915 notebook PCs on December of 2011. Under Section 2503 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines, these Asus branded notebook PCs should proceed to Philippine government offices. Read more in our articles including "Bureau of Customs increases De Minimis from Php10 to Php10,000" and "Bureau of Customs releases Balikbayan Tax Calculator app".