BOC unveils E-Travel Customs System at Naia

By: Luisa Cabato - 1 year ago

The Bureau of Customs unveils the E-Travel Customs System at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. According to the agency, the online platform is a joint effort with the Bureau of Immigration, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and Department of Information and Communications Technology. Photo from BOC’s Official Facebook Page

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched a unified digital data collection platform called the E-Travel Customs System at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

The E-Travel Customs System was introduced at the airport on November 21. The project was a joint effort with the Bureau of Immigration, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“This collaborative initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation and efficiency in customs management. The E-Travel Customs System will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security of our borders and fostering a seamless travel experience for all,” BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said during the event, according the agency’s statement released Wednesday, November 22.

“We are dedicated to advancing our customs practices, aligning with global standards, and safeguarding the interests of our nation,” he added.

The BOC said the E-Travel Customs System aims to “optimize border control, enhance health surveillance, and facilitate economic data analysis.”

It also said that one of the latest system’s key features is the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration interface which used to be part of the agency’s I-Declare System introduced to the public in June 2022.

The BOC further said that information gathered through the E-Travel Customs System would be shared with BSP and AMLC, which could strengthen the country’s commitment to fight money laundering and ensure financial security.