The Malacanang Palace has agreed to a compromise between port users and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to cut container security fees to a minimum after the former bucked compulsory charges of US$50 and $25 per container in an order issued last December.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed an order that amends an order signed on December 15 which imposed mandatory payment of container security fee in support of the BoC's non-intrusive container inspection system project.

The reduction of the container fee was to lessen the financial burden on importers and exporters of goods."

The $50 charge levied on every 40-foot container and $25 fee for each 20-foot container have been cut to $10 and $5, respectively.

All import cargo that land or are stored in piers, airports, terminal facilities, including container yards and freight stations, under BoC's jurisdiction are covered by the order.

Export cargo was initially covered by the order, but the BoC suspended charges imposed on them through a new order in March.