BOC Unveils E-Travel Customs System for Enhanced Border Security and Streamlined Processes

Manila – The Bureau of Customs (BOC), in collaboration with several government agencies, has launched the E-Travel Customs System, a digital platform designed to streamline data collection for travelers and crew members entering and leaving the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, The system, which integrates the Electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (e-CBDF) and Electronic Currencies Declaration Form (e-CDF) into the Bureau of Immigration’s eTravel System, was launched at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. This initiative, a joint effort with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aims to bolster national security and enhance customs procedures. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio expressed confidence in the system’s potential to modernize customs management, emphasizing its role in securing borders and improving the travel experience. The E-Travel Customs System offers a unified digital platform that simplifies passenger processes at airport terminals. Its key feature is the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration interface, which is part of the previously introduced I-Declare System. Rubio noted that the system allows travelers and crew members to use a single web portal integrating border control requirements from various agencies, including the BI, Bureau of Quarantine, and BSP. It also enables the BOC to receive advance information for effective risk profiling and enhances passenger experience. The system’s timely sharing of information with the AMLC and BSP underscores the government’s commitment to combating money laundering and ensuring financial security. Rubio highlighted the E-Travel Customs System as a testament to the government’s dedication to providing advanced solutions for border control and customs environment.