Indonesia

New x-ray machines boost NAIA revenue collections

Rappler.com

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New x-ray machines boost NAIA revenue collections
NAIA books higher taxes and duties levied on goods detected in the luggage of passengers

MANILA, Philippines – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) saw an increase in duties and taxes collected from airline passengers in May to June, thanks to the new x-ray machines purchased by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The x-ray machines beefed up BOC’s capability to detect highly taxable items such as jewelry, luxury watches, designer bags, undeclared foreign currencies, and even prohibited drugs.

BOC-NAIA alone collected revenues of P972,977.50 ($22,369.87*) in May to June, representing duties and taxes paid by airline passengers on goods detected in their luggage by x-ray, BOC x-ray inspection project officer-in-charge Julito Doria noted.

In May, 4 fixed-baggage Nutech x-ray machines were deployed in NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 – the first tranche of 8 machines purchased by the BOC early this year.

Two x-ray machines were set up at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and one each at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan.

BOC allocated about P145 million ($3.33 million) for the purchase of the x-ray machines.

BOC plans to procure additional machines this year, apart from at least 6 hand-held x-ray units and 4 mobile x-ray machines. These will be deployed in international airports in the country, including Laoag and Davao.

BOC will also install closed-circuit television systems (CCTV) in NAIA. The acquisition of CCTVs is expected to be completed next year.

“The additional x-ray machines will allow us to better detect contraband goods being smuggled in by airline passengers, rather than just relying on profiling techniques. It will allow us to release luggage faster and improve the traveling experience for passengers,” Doria added.

Improving customs processes at the country’s airports is a priority project of Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.

In April, BOC scrapped the mandatory Customs Declaration Form for passengers arriving on international flights if they carry only goods that are duty-free and required passengers to queue at either the red or green lane for customs clearance at the airport.

The green lane is for those with “Nothing to Declare,” meaning they do not have items in their luggage that are not subject to duties and taxes, can be brought-in duty-free, and are not subject to any import prohibition, regulation or restriction. 

On the other hand, the red lane is for passengers who bring in goods that are subject to import duties or taxes, are above the exempted customs limits, or are prohibited, controlled or regulated by several statues. – Rappler.com

 

 

 

*($1 = P43.50)

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