Cebu Customs Broker

[RBM]

Club I belong to is currently planning on shipping a container load of books over from Aussie. The plan is were going to distribute same to the many schools in mountains of Negros Oriental. The schools are very keen and waiting in expectation.

Even this is a non profit exercise our prelimary enquiries show substantial duty will need to be paid. Internet searches reveal some horror stories from people dealing with customs, and or some brokers.

Hence if any member out there knows of a reputable broker in the Cebu area we would welcome details or suggestions on how to find one. Alternatively suggestions on how to find same would be most welcom

Thanks guys.

[mogo51]

A noble project, good luck, but can't help with the info you seek.  You would think the Government in Phils would be pleased to receive the assistance and waive all such taxes?

[Jack Peterson]

A noble project, good luck, but can't help with the info you seek.  You would think the Government in Phils would be pleased to receive the assistance and waive all such taxes?

 HUH! No way, do you not Remember the 8 JCB's (Back Hoes) that came as a Donation from the Company during the Yolanda Incident.

BOC wanted the Full Import Duty. Import Duty on a Donation? Yep.

But what about sending the Books BB. Maybe a few boxes to different Addresses :thumbsup:

Bruce did you Think of this?

 

Just a Thought.

 

Jack   

[Thomas]

 

A noble project, good luck, but can't help with the info you seek.  You would think the Government in Phils would be pleased to receive the assistance and waive all such taxes?

 HUH! No way, do you not Remember the 8 JCB's (Back Hoes) that came as a Donation from the Company during the Yolanda Incident.

BOC wanted the Full Import Duty. Import Duty on a Donation? Yep.

But what about sending the Books BB. Maybe a few boxes to different Addresses :thumbsup:

Bruce did you Think of this?

 

Just a Thought.

 

Jack   wink.png

Yes, it's redicilous!  :1 (103): :bash:

[RBM]

A noble project, good luck, but can't help with the info you seek.  You would think the Government in Phils would be pleased to receive the assistance and waive all such taxes?

 HUH! No way, do you not Remember the 8 JCB's (Back Hoes) that came as a Donation from the Company during the Yolanda Incident.

BOC wanted the Full Import Duty. Import Duty on a Donation? Yep.

But what about sending the Books BB. Maybe a few boxes to different Addresses :thumbsup:

Bruce did you Think of this?

 

Just a Thought.

 

Jack   wink.png

Yes Jack we did, cost prohibitive as we have a container load. A couple of Aussies, one a school principle is donating the books and and bearing the $2500 shipping cost. It's our job, or rather mine to handle the clearance, just looking for some recommended broker. Have heard it's common to obtain a price in advance, once books almost cleared they come at one for another hit....

[sonjack2847]

Here in Dalaguete 2 people collected donations for Yolanda then they shipped 2 containers from Europe.When they got to Cebu the customs wanted 70,000 peso import duty. My friends paid and distributed the goods themselves as they did not trust the authorities here to do it.

[Gerald Glatt]

Election year, contact a local congressman and have him walk it through.  Just a suggestion. 

[scott h]

contact a local congressman and have him walk it through

 

Excellent advice.

 

You know there must be an exception "if pursued rigorously". In this country were there is a law or regulation for everything if we do the research, stand in the lines and put up with the incompetence. But most of us just loose patience and forget the project. 

[Jack Peterson]

RBM! Bruce, have a read of this, it may bring up something for you.

 

http://business.inquirer.net/38327/imported-books-exempted-from-customs-duties-vat%E2%80%94dof

 

Jack :)

[Dave Hounddriver]

Two thumbs up on that link JP.  For posterity, I cut and pasted all the text from your link so it is easy to find and read.

 

MANILA, Philippines—Books brought in from abroad, whether for personal or commercial use, are exempt from customs duties and the value-added tax, the Department of Finance said.

The DoF has issued an order clarifying this matter following the Philippines’ commitment with the United Nations through the so-called Florence Agreement, formally known as the Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials.

But Department Order No. 57-2011, dated Dec. 9, 2011, states that shipments of books “should be cleared and released through the required declaration of goods as provided under existing rules and regulations.”

 

 

“This declaration of goods form is part of the normal process in importing goods wherein you declare anything that you will bring in to the Philippines,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima explained.

The Philippines in 1979 signed the Florence Agreement – initiated by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) – with the commitment that it would not apply customs duties or other charges on “educational, scientific and cultural materials” such as books and newspapers.

Based on the DoF order, books that are for “personal use” are those “embracing all articles of personality not considered as merchandise” and should not exceed 12 copies of any one work when imported by an institution or six copies when imported by an individual.

Beyond that, shipments are considered of “commercial quantity,” for which importers must first present an endorsement from the DoF certifying that the cargo is indeed granted tax and duty exemptions.

Documents needed to secure such endorsement include bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list with title of books, affidavit to the effect that the shipment consists of books, certification from the Unesco Office in the Philippines, and registration certificate with the National Book Development Board (NBDB) as book importer or publisher.

In case of donated books, a deed of donation duly authenticated by the Philippine Consulate abroad and deed of acceptance must be provided, the order stated. An authority is also required should the consignee assign a representative to facilitate the books’ release.

In 2009, the NBDB protested when the DoF issued an order that resulted in the imposition of duties on imported books.

Then Finance Secretary Margarito B. Teves suspended the order, which he said was intended to remove discretion among customs officers, increase transparency, and improve accountability in the duty-free importation of books.