June 4, 2008

Philippine customs oppose poultry growers' plea for tax exemption

The Philippines' Bureau of Customs (BOC) opposed the request of swine and poultry growers for a tariff exemption on imported feeds.

Napoleon Morales, customs commissioner, said that agricultural products are already exempted from the payment of VAT under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

Morales added that if the products came from other Asian nations, they are likewise exempted from tariff.

The bureau noted that if the request will be granted, the traders would be paying practically nothing for their imports.

Previously, the Philippine swine and poultry growers requested to remove tariffs on raw materials to reduce prices of pork and chicken in the local market.