27/06/2026
The recent directives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) represent a massive operational shift. Here is the straightforward, no-nonsense summary of the rules that importers, customs brokers, truckers, and shipping lines need to understand right now.
๐. ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐% ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ
๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ค.
* A yard utilization level of 75% is considered the normal operating baseline.
* If yard utilization exceeds an average of 75% for two consecutive weeks, the government makes the implementation of severe congestion measures mandatory.
๐. ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ (๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ)
To clear vital port space, MICT is actively transferring overstaying laden containers out of the terminal to designated off-dock facilities in Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan.
The Penalty:All expenses for these forced transfersโincluding trucking rates, handling fees, and storage chargesโwill be billed directly to the importer.
Containers are prioritized for immediate transfer if they hit the following deadlines:
10 Days:Paid but unclaimed containers (measured from the date duties and taxes were paid).
15 Days:Assessed but unpaid containers (measured from the receipt of the assessment notice).
15 Days: Unlodged goods (containers lacking a goods declaration within 15 days from discharge).
90+ Days:Overstaying abandoned or forfeited laden containers.
๐. ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ & ๐๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ
The BOC is drastically tightening documentation timelines to force cargo movement.
The BOC will strictly enforce a 5-day processing period, ensuring the Notice of Assessment is issued within 5 days from lodgment without extensions.
For regulated goods, failing to submit the required permits within 15 days from lodgment will result in a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD).
Uncleared cargoes will face strict abandonment proceedings under a 30-day rule.
๐. ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ & ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
๐๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ.
The BOC is enforcing strict compliance with CAO No. 01-2015, which dictates a 90-day hard limit for the re-exportation of all empty containers.
To evacuate these aging empties, District Collectors have been ordered to coordinate with terminal operators and shipping lines to allow the berthing of sweeper vessels specifically for the load-out and re-exportation of empty containers.
The Bottom Line for Stakeholders: Delays now carry immediate financial consequences. Importers must pull out their cargo rapidly to avoid exorbitant, out-of-town transfer fees, and shipping lines must evacuate their empty boxes or face direct government intervention.
