BOC to implement electronic tracking system

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola  The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Friday, May 1, that it will be implementing its Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo System (E-TRACC System) beginning next month. The BOC said the rollout of the E-TRACC System will start in June at the Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila, and Port of Batangas. By July, the ports Cebu, Davao, Subic and Clark will also be covered in the system. Its full implementation in all ports of the country is expected to begin in August this year, the Customs said. The E-TRACC System was established last February as part of the BOC's efforts to automate its operations and processes "towards enhancing its trade facilitation and strengthened border protection." It shall be used by the bureau's Piers Inspection Division (PID) to track and monitor the movement of the cargoes from their Port of Discharge to the Port of Destination. The system shall also alarm the BOC in case of unauthorized trips, tampering, deviation of the vehicle from authorized routes, or other events that are deemed unusual based on criteria to be determined by the agency. Under Customs Memorandum Order 04-2020, all container vans covered in this order shall be affixed with an Electronic Customs Seal (ECS) before they are cleared for discharge. The ECS is a GPS-enabled sealing device, or a lock that is capable of physically securing cargo and providing real-time information on its location. Cargoes covered by this system are: (1) transit containers bound for economic zones, (2) transit containers bound for free zones, (3) containers bound for customs-bonded warehouses, (4) containers bound for export, and (5) reefer containers bound for second border inspection.