Jaehwa Bernardo

The Bureau of Customs, Land Transportation Office, Department of Transportation and Department of Finance launched the Electronic Certificate of Payment (ECP) System, offering a modernized approach to processing motor vehicle import transactions, March 9, 2026. Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Electronic Certificate Payment System launched to curb car smuggling

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773037686082BOC.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Bureau of Customs, Land Transportation Office, Department of Transportation and Department of Finance launched the Electronic Certificate of Payment (ECP) System, offering a modernized approach to processing motor vehicle import transactions, March 9, 2026. Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Several government agencies launched on Monday the Electronic Certificate Payment (ECP) System, introducing a modernized method for processing car import transactions in an effort to curb vehicle smuggling.Among the involved agencies are the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Finance (DOF).Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the system was part of his agency&#x27;s modernization program, where there will be less human intervention in car importation in all ports nationwide.&quot;Ito yung isang aspeto ng modernisasyon na talagang matutuldukan na natin &#x27;yong smuggling ng mga sasakyan, lalo na &#x27;yong mga luxury vehicles, dahil with the digital solutions, &#x27;yong sistema niyan talagang complete loop from BOC processing hanggang LTO. At ang importante, mayroong audit trail,&quot; Nepomuceno said.&quot;Malalaman na natin sino sa BOC at LTO &#x27;yong gumawa ng mga papeles. &#x27;Yong accountability na yan, importante yan,” he added.Under the new system, the &quot;override&quot; functions in the old manual system will be eliminated, Nepomuceno said.&quot;Kasi dati na-o-override, halimbawa &#x27;yong authority to release imported goods na required from the BIR, nabibigyan ng temporary release order &#x27;yong mga sasakyan kahit walang complete payment. So wala nang ganoon,&quot; Nepomuceno explained.&quot;Itong sistema na ‘to, wala nang override function at wala nang mga nagpoproseso na tauhan natin na babalewalain itong sistema na ilalagay sa digital steps,&quot; he said.Nepomuceno believes the new system will improve the BOC&#x27;s revenue collection, as there are about seven to 10 percent of revenues from imported goods that come from motor vehicles.With the ECP System, all entries will be selected by the system, and there will be a unified ECP nationwide, Customs Deputy Commissioner Chris Noel Bendijo said.&quot;In terms of generating revenue, definitely when it comes to excise taxes, &#x27;yong customs duties and taxes, mas madali dito kasi &#x27;yong dropdown menu niya... you select the value already,&quot; Bendijo said.&quot;So hindi na siya puwedeng ma-misclassify, hindi na siya puwede ideklarang ibang sasakyan,&quot; he added.LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said the system also makes it easier to identify car smugglers.&quot;Ngayon, maiiwasan nang mag-smuggled yung mga yan at ma-a-itendify din natin kung sino yung mga smuggler na mga nagpapasok,&quot; he said.Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, Finance officials and car dealer representatives were also present during the launch.

Several government agencies launched Monday the Electronic Certificate Payment System, introducing a modernized method for processing car imports in an effort to curb vehicle smuggling.

Several government agencies launched Monday the Electronic Certificate Payment System, introducing a modernized method for processing car imports in an effort to curb vehicle smuggling.