The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has accelerated its modernization and trade efforts through a series of reforms, including the institutionalization of a permanent policymaking body and the launch of the Automated Export Declaration System (AEDS) Plus, as reported by BusinessWorld . On June 5, the agency issued several customs memorandum orders (CMOs) aimed at improving efficiency and transparency.
The new policy body is expected to streamline decision-making and ensure consistent implementation of customs rules. This institutionalization replaces ad hoc committees and provides a permanent structure for crafting trade policies and regulations, which is seen as a key step in the BoC’s modernization roadmap.
Meanwhile, the AEDS Plus system aims to simplify export documentation and reduce processing times for traders. The digital platform is part of broader efforts to enhance the ease of doing business and align with international customs standards, potentially boosting Philippine trade competitiveness.