In response to industry stakeholders' concerns regarding the longstanding unregulated importation of certain sugars and sweeteners, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has issued Sugar Order (SO) No. 06, series of 2023-2024.

SO No. 06 revises the provisions of SO No. 03 to encompass the importation, in any form and sugar content, of all sugar alternatives and sugar-based items under tariff headings 1701, 1702, and 1704:

• 1701- Commodities including sucrose, specialty sugar, and flavored syrup.
• 1702 - "Other sugars" such as lactose, glucose, maltose, maple syrup, honey, and caramel.
• 1704 - Sugar confectionery items including chewing gum and white chocolate not containing cocoa.

This measure is designed to address the volume of imported sugar alternatives and sugar-based products entering the country, following appeals from various industry stakeholders who argue that these imports displace the use of locally produced sugar.

The SRA board has set the clearance fee at PHP 3 per 50-kilogram bag or PHP 60 per metric ton, a significant reduction from the initial proposal of PHP 10 per bag or PHP 200 per metric ton. Importers are granted six months from February 1st to comply with the stipulated rules. Non-compliance will result in sanctions and penalties. Upon the enforcement of SO No. 06, the Bureau of Customs will require importers of the specified products to present a secured import clearance from the SRA before their shipments can be allowed entry into the country.

In light of the imminent February 1st implementation, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, through its Agribusiness Committee, will be hosting a roundtable discussion to address this crucial matter. The aim of this meeting is to foster a collaborative environment where industry associations and chambers can share their insights and concerns, ensuring a unified approach and concerted effort moving forward.