Sugar alternatives to be slapped with import clearance fees

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is inching closer to imposing import clearance fees on sweeteners like glucose and fructose as it seeks to monitor the entry of the raw sugar alternatives amid concerns over unabated imports to the detriment of local farmers.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

SRA administrator and CEO Pablo Luis Azcona said the SRA board is set to sign next month an order that would require importers of sweeteners under Tariff Line 1702 to pay an import clearance fee to the agency before allowing their shipments to be released at the port.

Azcona explained that the SRA board, the agency's highest policy-making decision body, has discussed the matter and all members are in agreement with the proposed regulatory measure.