The Chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday revealed a list of short­ and long-term changes he was determined to implement in an effort to improve transparency and efficiency in the controversy­ ridden agency and reviving a proposal to restore pre­shipment inspection.

"There are changes that are expected to be seen in the short term and the long term at the bureau, with the long term meaning a year and a half," said.

Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla, speaking about the bureau's plans during an event hosted by the Makati Business Club, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Integrity Initiative.

The short-term changes enumerated by the BOC chief include more public disclosures of inspection results, as well as import transactions such as the duties and taxes to be paid, the product being imported and the volume of importation, among other things.

He also mentioned simplification of existing rules governing imported packages by individual citizens dealing with the bureau, such as guidelines on balikbayan boxes. At present, the chief conceded that the rules are not streamlined and are difficult for the public to understand.

"We have received a deluge of complaints about the processing of shipments of donations for [Super­ typhoon] Yolanda, balikbayan boxes, parcels. When asked what the process for these things are, the answers are inconsistent. We hope to clarify the rules and make them public in a matter of months," Sevilla said.

Another short-term goal he mentioned was the restoration of the pre­shipment inspection, a proposal that the customs head admits would be unpopular.

Source: Business Mirror, 26 April 2014