Why a Corporate Secretary is Necessary When Getting Import Licenses
Getting import licenses, as well as fulfilling some regulatory requirements is essential to start importing goods to the Philippines. However, doing that isn’t so simple, as everyone doesn’t have the skills and knowledge. In this article, we discuss the prerequisites for importing licences and why you need a corporate secretary to help you in acquiring the licenses.
Import Regulations to Follow in the Philippines
Free imports – These are the goods that do not need an import permit, license, or clearance. This is the default setting of the Philippines: Goods belong to this category unless the import regulations in the Philippines put them in a different category.
Regulated imports – They can be imported only after you secure the necessary clearances, licensing and paperwork.
Restrictions on import – Unless you are under a certain exemption, the import regulations prohibit such items. They are firearms, dynamite, opium pipes, gambling devices, marijuana, mass destruction weapons, and toxic substances.
Imports that are prohibited – There is no exemption for these items. They are material that advocate treason, or rebellion against the government, drugs, abortion information, obscene materials, misbranded food, silver, and goods made of gold that do not have a stamp that indicates the metal’s fineness.
How Can a Corporate Secretary Help with Importing Licenses?
You should assign an individual who serves as the applicant or a point person. This is why a company secretary is necessary when getting import licenses.
After that, you can fill these documents:
- Original copy of the NBI clearance that is issued within 3 months before applying. This document requires a lot of time, so you need to do it first.
- Applicant’s personal profile with an attached 2×2 picture, and duly signed by the person.
- 2 Clear copies of government-issued IDs with the applicant’s photo.
- Fill up these documents to apply at the Bureau of Customs (BOC):
- New Importer Application Form – You need to fill it completely and notarize it.
- BOC official receipt (BCOR) – This amounts to 1,000 and it serves as proof that you paid the application fee
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or Corporate Secretary Certificate for the designated signatories that has samples of original signatures in import entries Affidavit for the designated signatories.
Business Documents You Can Secure Easily
- BIR Registration Form 2303
- A certified true copy of the valid mayor’s permit
- Your company profile with pictures of your office/warehouse premises, and proper signage photos
- Proof of lawful occupancy in lease contracts, proof of billing of your utilities
- The latest general information sheet (GIS), DTI information sheet, articles of partnership, or cooperative development authority
- A printed copy of the Client Profile Registration System (CPRS), and the profile and an updated email notification from the stored CPRS profile
- License/ permit/ accreditation from a concerned agency if applicable
- For sole proprietorship: Owner’s ITR
If you want to make the application process simpler, you can ask your corporate secretary to submit the forms for you. After all, secretaries are very good at filling and keeping track of paperwork. Instead of doing the whole process, companies or individuals can quickly secure the import license their clients need right away.
Contact us for assistance with customs registration in the Philippines. Our experience has proven to be very effective in helping business owners process their requirements in the Philippines.
