Inspection firm acquires bulk cargo surveying accreditation

The Philippine Bureau of Customs will avail of the services of Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), the world’s largest inspection company, for a non-exclusive new trade facilitation program on bulk cargo at no cost to the government. This was confirmed by George Bottomley, SGS vice president, after receiving the certificate accrediting SGS from the Committee for the Accreditation of Cargo Surveying Companies (CACSC). SGS already issues survey reports on behalf of its commercial clients shipping bulk and break bulk cargoes to the Philippines, especially oil, petroleum products, chemicals, minerals and agricultural goods with the surveys paid for either by the buyer or seller. Bottomley noted that the new program is unique and is the first time that any Customs organization has had the vision to utilize commercial survey reports for advance cargo clearance. (March 19, 2010)