The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) said it supports the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) move to exempt exporters from the implementation of the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (E-TRACC) System.

The announcement was made during the Export Development Council Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, when BoC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said he signed the yet-to-be-released Customs memorandum order implementing the E-TRACC. Attending the meeting were officials of PHILEXPORT, the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau, and the United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines Inc.

The E-TRACC is a web-based, real-time monitoring system that uses global positioning system-enabled locks to track container movement from port to destination, securing transit, preventing cargo diversion, and reducing manual underguarding.

PHILEXPORT president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. emphasized that the exemption will help ease the burden on exporters already grappling with high fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and increased compliance requirements.

“We appreciate the BoC’s responsiveness to our concerns. The exemption from E-TRACC allows exporters to focus on fulfilling orders efficiently without the added layer of cost and administrative complexity that could hamper our delivery timelines,” Ortiz-Luis said.

He noted that while PHILEXPORT supports the broader objectives of transparency and trade facilitation, policies must be calibrated to avoid unintended consequences on key economic drivers.

“Exporters operate on tight schedules and margins. Any additional requirement that affects turnaround time or increases costs can erode our competitiveness in the global market. This exemption is a step in the right direction toward balancing regulation with economic growth,” he added.

Nepomuceno affirmed that the BoC is monitoring and strictly implementing existing policies to prevent port congestion.

Ortiz-Luis underscored the importance of continued dialogue between government and industry stakeholders to ensure that future initiatives are both effective and inclusive.

“We remain committed to working with authorities in crafting solutions that enhance trade efficiency while protecting the interests of exporters. A collaborative approach is crucial to sustaining the country’s export momentum and supporting job creation,” he said.