27 July 2020
By Patricia G. Blacer
Export Assistance and Business Matching Division (EABMD) | DTI-Export Marketing Bureau
The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) offers free accreditation of exporters under Republic Act (RA) 7844 or the Export Development Act (EDA) of 1994.
Export incentives are one of the salient provisions in the EDA which aims to encourage investments in the export sector by offering support measures to qualified companies. In the case of DTI-EMB’s EDA accreditation, this service is offered to export-oriented enterprises whose export sales comprise more than 70% of their total annual production.
The DTI-EMB submits and endorses a list of accredited exporters to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s Audit Information, Tax Exemption, and Incentives Division for their record. The endorsement, together with the certificate of accreditation, is used by exporters as proof of their qualification in the EDA’s zero-rated value-added tax (VAT) incentive in the purchase of raw materials and packaging supplies.
Through this incentive, the country’s export competitiveness is reinforced through reducing the purchase cost of raw materials and packaging supplies for export products.
Another benefit for exporters accredited under EDA is they can avail themselves a free renewal of their Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) account through DTI-EMB. CPRS is the registration required by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for all exporting companies. It is part of BOC’s electronic-to-mobile (E2M) Customs Administration system where all exporters are issued with an online account through any of the BOC’s value-added service providers (VASP), namely: E-konek, Intercommerce, and CDEC. These VASPs provide an online platform where exporters can electronically submit export declarations. Exporters are required to renew their CPRS annually.
The DTI-EMB’s EDA accreditation service is processed online. This digitalization initiative is anchored on the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act where automation of frontline services is aimed at streamlining procedures to reduce processing time in securing permits and licenses for business-related transaction through a zero-contact policy. Likewise, this online issuance is also a response to recommendations made by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) in its Advisory No. 01, s. 2020, on the “Adoption of Fast-Track Measures During the COVID-19 State of Calamity”.
Applicants need only to submit scanned copy of the requirements to DTI-EMB via email, saved in a portable document format (.pdf). The requirements include an accomplished application form, a notarized affidavit of compliance with the Minimum Wage and Social Security System (SSS) laws, a copy of the company’s audited Financial Statement immediately preceding the taxable calendar year, and original copies of bank certifications summarizing the inward remittances or export sales payment received by the company for the preceding year.
Downloadable forms can be accessed in DTI-EMB’s website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/negosyo/exports/accreditation-of-exporters/.
The applications are processed within one week from receipt of the complete set of documents. EDA-accredited companies are given an electronic certificate (e-Cert) valid for one year. Monthly endorsements are forwarded to the BIR, after consolidating the list of approved applications nationwide.
Apart from the DTI-EMB, the Cebu and Manila offices of the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) are also deputized to process EDA accreditations.
The DTI-EMB’s accreditation of exporters under the EDA is free of charge. For further inquiries, you may contact the Export Assistance and Business Matching Division of EMB at e-mail address eda@dti.gov.ph, or at landline number (02) 8465.3300 local 107.♦
Date of Release: 27 July 2020