Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) recently received its accreditation and became one of the pioneer organisations to be certified as Authorised Economic Operator Level 2 from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The BOC also recognised TMP for being the country's second top importer, remitting a total of PHP 44 billion (US$ 791.9 million) in duties and taxes and contributing to the agency's positive collection in 2023.

BOC's Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) program is a customs-to-business partnership that aims to promote legitimate trade facilitation and provide seamless movement of goods through secure international supply chains.

An accreditation certifies that TMP underwent a rigorous process of assessment and validation as well as met the general and security criteria of the BOC in accordance with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework).

Following the Customs Administrative Order No. 5-2017, the AEO accreditation provides organisations with the program benefits of streamlined customs procedures and interventions.

Under AEO Level 2, TMP will be granted the advantages of simplified customs processes and priority through a dedicated processing lane, advance clearance, periodic lodgment, one-time exemption certificate, and expedited customs clearance for exports.

These are on top of the Level 1 benefits TMP has been receiving, including exemption from renewal of BOC accreditation, self-assessment of duty and tax liability, acceptance of goods declaration consistent with TMP's trade documents, and access to a dedicated help desk.

TMP became the first AEO-certified organisation in the Philippines for achieving Level 1 accreditation back in 2022, attesting to the company's strong compliance to global trade standards and commitment to total quality assurance for Toyota customers.

With the biggest automotive manufacturing, sales, and distribution businesses in the country, TMP operates with several major BOC ports including the Port of Batangas (POB), Manila International Container Port, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Located close to its Batangas Vehicle Centre, the POB serves as TMP's gateway in importing automotive products such as Toyota and Lexus vehicle models, multi-sourced parts for production, and service parts from the Asia Pacific region.

Moreover, the POB is a significant link to Toyota's supply chain as it serves as a channel to distribute automotive products to Toyota dealerships in Visayas and Mindanao and to export Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and components produced by Toyota export parts suppliers.