Basic information
Outline of the system
DENR Administrative Order No.2021-06 or the 'Revised Regulations Governing the Entry and Disposition of Imported Wood Products' provides for the basic policy, scope and general provision of the regulations that include the persons authorized to import wood materials, the documents required as well as the issuing authorities for the import authority. This policy is issued in order to provide a mechanism to effectively monitor the importation of wood materials, alongside with the existing import guidelines and procedures functions of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Plant Industry’s National Plant Quarantine Services Division (BPI-NPQSD), and DENR policy on wood industry rationalization and development.
Product coverage
Authority to import wood materials is required for the entry and disposition of the following imported wood products under the covered ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) Codes per DAO 2021-06.
Please see Products - "Wood materials"
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Automatic licensing to protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment and to collect trade statistics or market surveillance.
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
DENR Administrative Order No.2021-06 is promulgated to rationalize the requirements and procedures of the importation of wood products into the country, specifically, it aims to:
(a) Import wood materials, as a stop-gap measure to ensure a continuous supply of wood raw materials, until such time that local supply from tree plantations can adequately meet the local needs;
(b) Augment local sources in order to utilize existing wood processing plant capacities;
(c) Enable wood-based industries including the furniture and other downstream wood industries to generate employment and income.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The policy applies to products coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Ongoing
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
This is consistent with Executive Order No. 192 mandating the DENR to be the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands of the public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of Filipinos.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The authority to import is maintained through DAO No.2021-06 and as such the DENR may abolish the system without legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
An existing wood furniture manufacturer, agent, contractor or dealer who is not a holder of a TLA, IFMA or WPP should first register as an importer of said wood materials with the concerned DENR Regional Office.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Holders of a tenure instruments, Wood Processing Plant Permit (WPP) or Certificate of Registration (CoR) as wood furniture manufacturer, agent, contractor or dealer of logs/poles and piles/lumber issued by the DENR, may import wood materials; provided, that, before availing of the privilege to import, the holder of the tenure and/or WPP shall first have his current local Logs, commercial Poles and Piles and/or Lumber Dealer’s permit stamped by the Office of the Regional Executive Director (RED) concerned as a valid authority to import wood materials.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Forest Management Bureau
Address
Visayas Ave. Diliman Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone
(+632) 927-4788
Fax
Website
forestry.denr.gov.ph
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Nearest DENR Regional Office, Please see Annex A for the list of DENR Regional Offices
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
An applicant may secure a certificate of registration as an importer by submitting a duly accomplished application form together with the following requirements:
(a) Authenticated copy of registration as cooperative, single proprietorship, partnership or corporation from the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and/or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
(b) Electronic copy of Purchase Order between the foreign supplier and the Agent, Contractor or Dealer for the procurement, sell or supply wood materials to be imported; and
(c) List of specific species of wood and its scientific names for imported products belonging to AHTN Code No. 44.03 and 44.07.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Although not explicitly stated in the policy, the ideal time to apply for an import license/certification should be months prior to the scheduled arrival of goods. The Philippine Ports Authority requires the importers to cause the immediate release of imported wood products from the ports by transacting early and providing on-time sufficient hauling vehicles and equipment.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
The applicant for import permit may apply anytime.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
The authority to import/certificate of registration to import wood materials cannot be granted immediately on request. It takes an estimated total of twenty working days to process the application for Certificate of Registration as to Import Wood Materials/ Products, provided that complete requirements are duly submitted and appropriate fees are duly paid to the concerned DENR Field Office.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Import permits, however, cannot be issued for wood materials that have already arrived at the port. Thus, the required Authority to import/certificate of registration to import Wood Materials should be secured prior to importation. The DENR is strict in implementing Section 10 12 of DAO 2021-06 which states that any person found to have in his possession imported wood materials that have entered the country in violation of its provisions shall be penalized by the immediate suspension of the permit, and confiscation of the unauthorized imported wood materials and/or finished products derived therefrom, without prejudice to filing of appropriate charges subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The authority to import/certificate of registration as to import Wood Materials/Product is issued by the concerned DENR Regional Executive Director.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Holders of certificates of registration as importer shall:
(a) Display the Certificate of Registration at a conspicuous place within the establishment's premises exposed to public view;
(b) Submit to the DENR, through CENRO/ Implementing PENRO concerned or Regional Office in the case of DENR-NCR, a monthly report on imported wood materials not later than the 5th day of the succeeding month to include, among others, the following information:
b.1) Balance of previous months;
b.2) Purchase(s) made during the month under report;
b.3) Total volume/quantity handled;
b.4) Volume processed/sold; and
b.5) Balance at end of the month.
(c) Provide the required Certificate of Registration from the RED concerned or his authorized representative to import before disposing through sales the imported wood materials;
(d) Allow authorized DENR personnel to inspect the premises where the imported wood materials are stored and to examine records concerning withdrawals or disposition of same; and
(e) Provide such other related information as may be required by the Secretary or his authorized representative.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
An Application Fee and Registration Fee amounting to P3,000.00 shall be paid by the applicant.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The applicant shall also secure a Cash Bond
Amount or rate?
Amounting to P12,000 per application.
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no circumstances other than the failure to meet the standard criteria for applicants, and submission of all the documentary requirements under which an application for an authority to import/certificate of registration to import wood materials is refused.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Application for import authority (Dealer’s Permit/Certificate of Registration as Importer) are filed at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and approved at the concerned Regional Office of the DENR.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The Logs, Lumber, Commercial Poles and Piles Dealer’s Permit stamped by the concerned DENR Regional Office or the certificate of registration as importer issued by the same, together with the requirements of other Government agencies, if any, are needed upon actual importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
The procedural requirements contained in this document are those that are under the jurisdiction of the DENR. Other administrative procedures, as maybe required by other government agencies are not included.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A certificate of registration as importer issued in consonance with DAO 2021-06 shall be valid for a period not exceeding one year, subject to renewal for a similar period upon application and proper compliance with existing DENR rules and regulations.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a license or a portion of license.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The authority to import is not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.