NOTICE TO ALL IMPORTERS

•           Beginning 1 April 2000, imports into Philippines are no
longer subject to Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) and/or price
verification abroad by the Societe General de Surveillance (SGS), hence,
may already be shipped into the country without SGS intervention
whatsoever.

•           For SGS-covered imports shipped prior to 1 April, the
SGS will continue to issue Import Advise Note (IAN) and shall conduct
the corresponding inspections abroad, except those scheduled after 31
March, in which case, such inspection is deemed cancelled. It will also
no longer accept Requests for Inspections (RFI) filed after 31 March.

•           For SGS-covered imports already inspected on or before
31 March, SGS will issue the covering Clean Report of Findings (CRFs)
until 7 April. The last batch of CRFs will be delivered on 10 April.
Importers with pending CRF applications are advised to submit their
final documents to SGS Manila office so as to meet these final
processing dates. SGS will only accept Requests for CRF amendments up to
14 April.

•           CRF-covered shipments arriving after 1 April shall be
processed in accordance with the existing procedures involving
CRF-covered shipments.

•           For Philippine imports departing the country of
exportation on 1 April and thereafter, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall
process the same without any CRF, it being not required anymore, and in
accordance with the Automated Customs Processing System (ACOS) which
has been enhanced taking this into account. Moreover, shipments of
qualified importers shall also be processed under a new advance
processing facility known as Super Green Lane, allowing for their
“ship-to-truck” release.

All the above are in line with the expiry on Friday, 31 March 2000
of the SGS contract with the Philippine government subjecting certain
imports into the country to Pre-Shipment Inspection and Advance
Clearance Scheme (SPACS) by SGS abroad.

Further advisory will be issued regarding the new clearance facility.

Adopted: 21 Mar. 2000

(SGD.) RENATO A. AMPIL
Acting Commissioner