Colour reproduction machines with resolution of 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) or higher
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/PHL/17
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 19/08/2025
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Prior written authorization from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is required for the importation of subsequent resale of Colour Reproduction Machines with resolution of 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) or higher (excluding printers) pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the NBI and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on 14 October 1977.
The application for prior written authorization to import Colour Reproduction Machines from the NBI may be submitted to the said agency through the Office of the NBI Director, together with the pertinent information/documents relative to the request. The NBI will then forward the request to the BSP, through the Payments and Currency Investigation Group (PICG), Office of the Senior Assistant Governor – Payments and Currency Development Sub-sector (OSAG-PCDSs) for the conduct of a parallel background investigation and examination of the specifications of the machines to be imported. After the said background investigation and examination, the BSP will then forward its Investigation Report and a draft Clearance to Import to the NBI.
The NBI will then evaluate the result of BSP's background investigation and examination and issue a written authorization/import clearance which may be presented to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers handling the importation.
This clearance requirement is also necessary for the subsequent resale of said Colour Reproduction Machines.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The written authorization requirement covers the importation and subsequent resale by any individual/entity of Colour Reproduction Machines.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The requirement applies to the importation and subsequent resale of the Colour Reproduction Machines with resolution of 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) or higher (excluding printers), irrespective of country of origin involved.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
The intention of the requirement is to safeguard national security and protect the integrity of the Philippine Currency. The goal is to monitor the importation of machines and equipment that may be used to forge and mass produce fake or false Philippine money.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Paragraph 1 of the MOA provides that "all applications for the importation of Color Reproduction Machines (e.g. 3M, Xerox, and Canon Model 6200 and 6500) or improved models thereof falling under Commodity No. EP 861-02-.18 – "Photocopying Apparatus (whether incorporating an optical system or of the contact type) and thermocopying apparatus" – in the Revised Central Bank Commodity Classification Manual xxx". The MOA likewise requires that such applications for clearance shall be supported by proforma invoices/firm offers of the suppliers and the brochures and/or literatures of the reproduction/copying machines to be imported.
Upon receipt of said applications, the same shall be forwarded to the PCIG, OSAG-PCDSs, BSP for record-check purposes, examination of the specifications of the machines to be imported and the preparation of the Clearance to Import.
Clearance to Import shall be released by the NBI and the same to be presented to the corresponding bank of the requesting party.
The subsequent resale and/or transfer of ownership of the imported Colour Reproduction Machines shall likewise be covered by a prior clearance from the NBI. The requesting party shall file with the NBI a letter-request to sell and/or transfer the reproduction/copying machine. Similarly, the same shall be referred to the PCIG, OSAG-PCDSs, BSP, for recording and record-check purposes and the preparation of clearance to sell.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
The procedure for the application for clearance, as well as other information pertinent to the importation of Colour Reproduction Machine, are detailed and described in the website provided below: https://www.pntr.gov.ph/other-photocopying-apparatus-incorporating-an-optical-system/
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
The NBI's standard processing time for the issuance of written authorization is 69 working days upon receipt of complete and sufficient documents/informations/inputs required for evaluation.
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Upon receipt of the written authorization from the NBI, the applicant may proceed with the importation or resale of the Colour Reproduction Machines, subject to existing rules and regulations.
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
The application for prior written authorization for the importation and subsequent resale of Colour Reproduction Machine shall be submitted to the NBI, which will then review and issue the requested written authorization, if granted.
Before the issuance of said written authorization by the NBI, the application shall be forwarded to PCIG, OSAG-PCDSs for records-checking and examination of the specifications of the machines to be imported.
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
There is no limitation on the number of applications for prior written authorization that will be processed by the NBI and BSP in a given year.
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Applications for prior written authorization covering the importation or subsequent resale of Colour Reproduction Machines with resolution 2,400 dpi or higher (excluding printers), are accepted and favourably acted upon by the NBI and BSP, if the required information/documents are provided by the importer to support the request and the BSP's conduct of due diligence. Otherwise, the application will be denied.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Persons, firms, and institutions are all eligible to apply for written authorization from the NBI, as long as they have information and documents to support their application. The NBI does not charge any fee for the application in the issuance of written authorization. (subject to reasonable fees for the processing and issuance of the clearance).
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The applicant shall submit an application for written authorization to the NBI through the Office of the Director, with the following information/documents:
- Proforma invoices/firm offers of the suppliers;
- Brochures and/or Literatures of the Colour Reproduction Machines to be imported;
- Articles of Incorporation/General Information Sheet/DTI Registration of the Importer;
- All other documents relative to the Colour Reproduction Machines and the Importer.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
The importer only needs to present the NBI written authorization and duly accomplished Currencies Declaration Form to the concerned Bureau of Custom's desk officer in airports/seaports or to the courier/shipping agent.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The prior written authorization issued by the NBI for the importation or subsequent resale of Colour Reproduction Machines does not provide for period of validity.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The NBI written authorization shall be used only by the applicant-importer indicated in the said written authority.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no administrative measures required apart from the procedures provided and discussed above, as far as the NBI is concerned.