In a significant step toward enhancing international trade efficiency, the Philippines has officially launched its National Time Release Study (TRS) at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The two-week study, running from June 30 to July 11, 2025, focuses on optimizing the clearance processes for maritime imports and exports.
The TRS initiative is part of a multi-year collaboration between the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) under the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, with support from the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This effort underscores the country’s commitment to data-driven reforms and regional competitiveness.
A Collaborative Effort for Trade Facilitation
The launch event on July 3, 2025, brought together senior officials from the BOC, Trade Regulatory Government Agencies (TRGAs), and private sector representatives. Attendees emphasized the TRS as a critical diagnostic tool to identify bottlenecks and improve clearance efficiency. The study is expected to enhance operations at MICP, the nation’s largest container port, and strengthen the Philippines’ position in regional trade.
"The TRS is more than just a study—it’s a roadmap for sustainable trade facilitation," said one official during the launch.
Methodology and Preliminary Insights
To support the project, the WCO conducted a two-week on-site mission in the Philippines, validating the TRS scope, mapping business processes, and finalizing sampling methods. Updated questionnaires and data dictionaries were also prepared. Real-time data collection at MICP documented key milestones in import and export clearance, while system-based data acquisition enabled cross-verification and immediate processing.
The Philippine Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) Technical Working Group has begun validating and analyzing the collected data, generating preliminary insights that will inform future reforms.
Next Steps and Long-Term Goals
Preliminary groundwork was completed ahead of the on-site phase, aligning with the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme’s capacity-building approach. The final TRS report, expected by the end of 2025, will serve as a foundation for evidence-based reforms and national coordination efforts.
Moving forward, the PTFC plans to conduct regular TRS assessments at various border ports to ensure compliance with the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (Article 7.6), which mandates the measurement and publication of average cargo release times. The WCO has expressed its commitment to continuing collaboration with the BOC and PTFC to advance sustainable trade facilitation and institutional capacity in the Philippines.