By Betheena Kae Unite The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has allowed the opening of alerted containers of perishable goods at the consignee's warehouse as part of directives to expedite the examination of such shipment entering the country. (MANILA BULLETIN) In a memorandum dated August 7, 2018, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena allowed the 100 percent physical examination of alerted agricultural products in reefer containers at the consignee's warehouse but with conditions. "The containers must be subjected to 10 percent examination at the container yard. If there is no adverse findings, 100 percent examination can be done at the consignee's warehouse," the memorandum said. According to Lapena, the move is to hasten the examination of perishable goods and products. Further, for shipments subjected to the "special stop" mechanism of the operators, "the special stop should not be lifted until the customs guard who will undertake the continuous undertaking is ready," the memorandum read. However, the bureau assured the continuous underguarding of the BOC personnel in charge of the cargo from the port to the consignee's warehouse. The Customs officer will remain until the examination and payment of necessary duties and taxes are completed. The assigned customs examiner, Lapena stressed, should immediately conduct the 100 percent examination on the cargo upon arriving at the destination. It will be witnessed by a representative from the offices of the Commissioner, District Collector, agents from the Enforcement Security Service and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, a representative from the concerned regulating agency, and the consignee or his authorized representative. The directive to all Customs deputy commissioners district collectors and other concerned officials was issued for strict and immediate compliance.