Dumaguete Info Search


Siaton Customs/BIR harassing Foreign Yachts in Port Bonbonon

Discussion in 'Surrounding Areas' started by Pelagic, Nov 5, 2020.

  1. Show Pony

    Show Pony DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    Could the owner get the boat registration form some other country and then transfer to a local registration. I'm guessing important duties may come into play.

    I've seen plenty of locally built boats that are registered. Maybe one of the local builders can provide some sort of seaworthiness document.
    What happens if the coast guard catch someone without registration?
     
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  2. Happy Camper

    Happy Camper DI Senior Member Restricted Account Infamous Showcase Reviewer

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    According to my friend, who does have a boat at Tambobo, that is exactly what it is about, collecting import fees and fines. Somehow, it always comes down to money.
     
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  3. Philpots

    Philpots DI Senior Member Restricted Account

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    Yes he did buy from the first owner but 20 years ago there was no registration requirement for privately used boats. This has only been introduced May 2019 I believe. He has been told that he needs a certificate that it appears he cannot obtain. Maybe he should forge one. They will forge anything you want in Manila.
     
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  4. OP
    OP
    Pelagic

    Pelagic DI New Member

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    To update and clarify:
    I was at a Federation of Philippine Marine Industries
    (FPMI) meeting in Subic which was focussed mostly on the new easier Philippines Registration rules for unregistered pleasure craft (locally only 10% are registered.)

    Key question for us with valid Foreign Registered boats was
    are there Philippine Laws on the books about how long a visiting foreign registered yacht can stay?...
    The answer was No...
    This advice and info was exactly what the speaker was advising for those approached by Customs
    ......
    From Raul Bulaong
    Sharing this from a friend..
    From another chat: If anyone here has a boat in Dumaguete, what I have advised is this: compel this Customs person to show the exact law you are allegedly violating. A boat of any size is capable of travelling to another country. Why should you be forced to import it into the Philippines, when you may, in the future, take it to another country? If the boat is foreign registered, you can remind her that it is under the protection of a foreign flag, and that seizing it without due cause is a violation of international law. The MARINA is officially the agency that governs the maritime industry, specifically the importation of vessels. It has never released any regulation, to the best of my knowledge, limiting the period that foreign-registered visiting yachts may legally stay in the Philippines.

    But it appears Customs is plastering all yachts in Bonbonon with this notice:
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. OP
    OP
    Pelagic

    Pelagic DI New Member

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    Whoever is doing this in Dumaguete should be spanked for not following international convention of foreign registered boats, with valid registration. (no expired)

    You need to make a rule before you can enforce it!

    I can understand getting un registed boats cleaned up but putting this stress on visiting yachts during pandemic border closures is not very nice and hopefully just a mistake

    Here are the key points

    1 Salient Point Screenshot (457).png 1a Salient Point.png
     
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  6. SkipJack

    SkipJack DI Senior Member

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    I don't know.
    Something similar to this happened in Mexico a few years ago. Where 338 boats were impounded.

    The problem the government is trying to deal with is rich Filipino permanent residents bringing yachts into the country and not paying import taxes. They simply keep them registered in another country and never go through the import process.

    https://www.ocregister.com/2014/01/11/mexico-impounds-boats-angering-us-boaters/

    In all countries the temporary import duty waiver only applies to visitors. It does not apply to permanent residents. All countries require residents to immediately pay import duties on yachts they bring into the country.

    I suspect that if you look at the law closely, you will find that residents must pay import duties on the items they bring into the country.

    The solution is simple, send them a copy of your foreign registration and a copy of a document showing that you are here as a non-resident.

    If you have a 13A (Non-Quota Immigrant Visa), then you may be out of luck. It looks like permanent residents that failed to pay import duty are going to get spanked.

    Maybe the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) holders will get spanked too. Although it says resident, this SRRV visa is treated more like a tourist visa. Currently SRRV holders cannot get into the country whereas 13A visa holders can.

    BTW: If you know of any discounted yachts available for quick sale please PM me.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2020
  7. Julian Gallimore

    Julian Gallimore DI New Member

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    It's interesting every time we get a new mayor this happens. It's always been a FREE Port but the local government can implement changes. There has been a big increase in Vessels and I expect they think about the revenue. Ask the local council what they want and remind them if it gets to expensive people won't come. The Citizens of negros are very intelligent people and have been very accommodating in the past only if you Yacht people keep making long term friends with the Locals you should win. Ask for a meeting with the Governor Roal Degamo . Best wishes c/
     
  8. Julian Gallimore

    Julian Gallimore DI New Member

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    Love Bonbonon and Tambobo Bay.
     
  9. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Tambobo Bay is a special economic zone? Do you have a source for this?
     
  10. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    I read these are mooring fees and not import duties - and will be retrospective to about 2004.
     
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