DTI streamlines application for authority to import used motor vehicle

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) marked the first year of its streamlining project for the application of Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) through its Integrated Registration and Information Systems (IREGIS) last 2 December 2021. The digital transition was launched in 2020 and since then, DTI-FTEB has been maintaining the faster, easier, and more efficient processing of CAI applications.

Prior to importation of used motor vehicles, parts, and components, importers must secure a CAI first at the DTI-FTEB office. It is a statutory requirement under Executive Order (EO) No. 156 dated 12 December 2002 entitled “Providing for a Comprehensive Industrial Policy and Directions for the Motor Vehicle Development Program and Its Implementing Guidelines”, as amended by EO No. 877 A, better known as “The Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Development Program”.

Today, applicants may acquire their CAIs in four easy steps – connect, submit, pay, and receive. First, connect and register to IREGIS NegosyoKonek as Negosyo Applicant, then go to Import Application Menu to fill out initial application information and pay the initial assessment fee of P150.00 through DTI Pay. Next, complete the application details, download and have the system generated application form with Token Number and affidavit of undertaking notarized.  Upload the notarized application form and Affidavit of Undertaking together with other documentary requirements to the IREGIS portal. FTEB will evaluate the application and the documentary requirements.  If compliant, the Import Regulation Division Chief will do the final review and require the client to pay the full application fee associated with the program being applied for through DTI Pay.  DTI-FTEB Director will then assess and approved/disapproved the application. Once approved, the CAI will be available for printing and/or download. The total processing time is one to two days at most.

“Our shift to online transactions is in line with the government initiative on Ease of Doing Business and Government Service Act of 2018 which aims to streamline frontline procedures and reduce the processing time on securing permits and licenses in the government,” said DTI – Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo.

“We are proud to say that going digital made our operations more efficient and it is taking us further towards achieving our goal on customer delight because our Import Regulation Division (IRD), the division that administers CAI applications, received a 98.81% Client Satisfaction Rating (CSF) last year,” DTI – CPG Assistant Secretary and Concurrent FTEB Director Ronnel O. Abrenica underscored.

The DTI-FTEB accepts and processes online permit applications from Monday to Friday (except Holidays), from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. To apply and to get more information about CAI, visit https://iregis.dti.gov.ph/.

For questions or clarifications regarding CAI application, please call the 1-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.