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E-mailA commenter on blogger Kenneth Yu's Philippine Genre Stories blog on Multiply recounted a recent incident at the Mandaluyong branch of the Bureau of Customs.
"I tried to claim books sent to me by my gf, and the Mandaluyong Circle Customs Officer - Amer Adnon Azis assessed me taxes and duties almost equivalent to 100% of the value of the books. He even included the shipping cost in his tax calculation. His boss, Susan Calves confirmed that taxes needed to be paid. I tried to explain the Florence agreement and that I am not an importer, she insisted that I get an exemption from the DOF (Department of Finance). Calling the DOF they in turn insist that I appear personally at the Roxas Office to file an affidavit for the exemption."
Writer Conchitina Cruz contacted National Book Development Board (NBDB) director Andrea Pasion-Flores and stated in a comment that, "According to the NBDB, the individual book buyer must apply for duty exemption at the DOF. You get the exemption the same day you apply for it; you have to apply for an exemption every time you have books coming in."
Controversy erupted in late April when writer Robin Hemley published an article in McSweeney's, detailing the taxation of books that entered the Philippines. This was a violation of the 1950 Florence Agreement guaranteeing "a free exchange of ideas and knowledge," of which the Philippines was a signatory.
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Great Book Blockade of 2009 supposedly ended in May with the "lifting" of Department Order 17-09 (duty on book importation) by the Department of Finance, but new accounts suggest that the taxation of imported books has not been eradicated.'); return false;">
