News
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is investigating excessive charges imposed by international shipping lines in response to the call from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which has received pleas of exporters and importers.
During the meeting of the government agencies, a study on potentially avoidable international shipping costs and other charges was presented to the DTI and PCC officials. The study identified certain fees imposed by some international shipping lines and concluded these costs should be considered as part of foreign carriers' operations and covered under freight costs.
Also, the study recommended that the excessive costs should not be allowed to be incurred by or passed on to local exporters and importers, especially if they do not have any contractual relationship with the foreign carriers. Such costs, as revealed in the study, undermines the competitiveness of Philippine exporters and domestic producers by increasing the cost of imported raw materials and intermediate goods, the report said.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is also set to investigate unpaid taxes arising from these charges.
