UPDATE 2026
Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) - Answers Short Title
An Act modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration - Answers Long title
June 16, 2016 (06-16-16) - Answers When does the CMTA took effect?
15 days - Answers Under Section 1805, the CMTA shall took effect ___ days after its publication in the
official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circular.
May 30, 2016 - Answers When did President Benigno Aquino III signed?
June 1, 2016 - Answers CMTA published in Manila Bulletin
1. to fairly apprise/inform the people of the contents of the law
2. to make the people aware of the law
3. to make a reference to the law - Answers Importance of the title of the law, the title aims:
Congress, President - Answers Section 101. Declaration of Policy -provides for the purpose why this
act was passed by the ____ and approved by the _____.
(PIMP)
1. Protect and enhance government revenue
2. Institute fair and transparent customs and tariff management that will efficiently facilitate
international trade
3. prevent and curtail any form of customs fraud and illegal acts
4. modernize customs and tariff administration - Answers The State aims to:
(DA-E2-PIC)
(a) Develop and implement programs for the continuous enhancement of customs systems and
processes that will harmonize customs procedures;
(b) Adopt clear and transparent customs rules, regulations, policies and procedures, consistent with
international standards and customs best practices;
(c) Establish a regime of transparency of and accessibility to customs information, customs laws, rules,
regulations, administrative policies, procedures and practices, in order to ensure informed and
diligent compliance with customs practices and procedures by stakeholders;
(d) Consult, coordinate and cooperate with other government agencies and the private sector in
implementing and developing customs policy;
(e) Provide a fair and expeditious administrative and judicial appellate remedy for customs related
grievances and matters;
(f) Employ modern practices in customs administration and utilize information and - Answers In order
to achieve the goals of the state, the state shall:
Importation is significant because only when there is importation that the BOC can exercise its power
under customs laws. - Answers What is the significance of importation?
Abatement - Answers refers to the reduction or diminution, in whole or in part, of duties and taxes
where payment has not been made
Actual or Outright Exportation - Answers refers to the customs procedure applicable to goods which,
being in free circulation, leave the Philippine territory and are intended to remain permanently
outside it
Admission - Answers refers to the act of bringing imported goods directly or through transit into a
free zone
Airway Bill (AWB) - Answers refers to a transport document for airfreight used by airlines and
international freight forwarders which specify the holder or consignee of the bill who has the right to
claim delivery of the goods when they arrive at the port of destination. It is a contract of carriage that
includes carrier conditions, such as limits of liability and claims procedures. In addition, it contains
transport instructions to airlines and carriers, a description of the goods, and applicable
transportation charges;
, Appeal - Answers refers to the remedy by which a person who is aggrieved or adversely affected by
any action, decision, order, or omission of the Bureau, seeks redress before the Bureau, the Secretary
of Finance, or competent court, as the case may be
Assessment - Answers refers to the process of determining the amount of duties and taxes and other
charges due on imported and exported goods
Authorized Economic Operator (ABO) - Answers refers to the importer, exporter, customs broker,
forwarder, freight forwarder, transport provider, and any other entity duly accredited by the Bureau
based on the World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate
Global Trade, the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), the WCO Supply Chain Management Guidelines
and the various national best practices to promote trade facilitation and to provide a seamless
movement of goods across borders through secure international trade supply chains with the use of
risk management and modern technology;
Bill of Lading (B/L) - Answers refers to a transport document issued by shipping lines, carriers and
international freight forwarders or non-vessel operating common carrier for water-borne freight. The
holder or consignee of the bill has the right to claim delivery of the goods at the port of destination. It
is a contract of carriage that includes earner conditions, such as limits of liability and claims
procedures. In addition, it contains transport instructions to shipping lines and carriers, a description
of the goods, and applicable transportation charges;
Bureau - Answers refers to the Bureau of Customs;
Carrier - Answers refers to the person actually transporting goods or in charge of or responsible for
the operation of the means of transport such as airlines, shipping lines, freight forwarders, cargo
consolidators, non-vessel operating common carriers and other international transport operators;
Clearance - Answers refers to the completion of customs and other government formalities necessary
to allow goods to enter for consumption, warehousing, transit or transshipment, or to be exported or
placed under another customs procedure
Commission - Answers refers to the Tariff Commission;
Conditional Importation - Answers refers to the customs procedure known under the RKC as
temporary admission in which certain goods can be brought into a customs territory conditionally
relieved, totally or partially, from payment of import duties and taxes; such goods must be imported
for a specific purpose and must be intended for reexportation within a specified period and without
having undergone any substantial change except due to normal depreciation;
Customs Broker - Answers refers to any person who is a bona fide holder of a valid Certificate of
Registration/Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board and
Professional Regulation Commission pursuant to Republic Act No. 9280, as amended, otherwise
known as the "Customs Brokers Act of 2004";
Customs Office - Answers refers to any customs administrative unit that is competent and authorized
to perform all or any of the functions enumerated under customs and tariff laws;
Customs Officer - Answers as distinguished from a clerk or employee, refers to a person whose duty,
not being clerical or manual in nature, involves the exercise of discretion in performing the function of
the Bureau. It may also refer to an employee authorized to perform a specific function of the Bureau
as provided in this Act;
Customs Territory - Answers refers to areas in the Philippines where customs and tariff laws may be
enforced;
Entry - Answers refers to the act, documentation and process of bringing imported goods into the
customs territory, including goods coming from free zones;
Exportation - Answers refers to the act, documentation, and process of bringing goods out of
Philippine territory;
Export Declaration - Answers refers to a statement made in the manner prescribed by the Bureau
and other appropriate agencies, by which the persons concerned indicate the procedure to be
observed for taking out or causing to be taken out any exported goods and the particulars of which
the customs administration shall require;
Flexible Clause - Answers refer to the power of the President upon recommendation of the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA): (1) to increase, reduce or remove existing protective
tariff rates of import duty, but in no case shall be higher than one hundred percent (100%) ad
valorem; (2) to establish import quota or to ban importation of any commodity as may be necessary;
and (3) to impose additional duty on all import not exceeding ten percent (10%) ad valorem,
whenever necessary;