Bills of Lading or Receipts Issued for Goods Transported on Ferries

July 31, 1959 BIR RULING NO. 390-59 The Philippine Free Press 708 Rizal Avenue M a n i l a Gentlemen : This is in connection with the query of Mr. Julian Ynclino which was referred to this Office for a reply. Section 227 of the National Internal Revenue Code as amended by Republic Act No. 1980 which took effect on June 22, 1957, reads as follows: "SEC. 227. Stamp tax on bills of lading or receipts On each set of bills of lading or receipts (except charter party) for any goods, merchandise, or effects shipped from one port or place in the Philippines to another port or place in the Philippines, except on ferries across rivers or to any foreign port, there shall be collected a documentary stamp tax of six centavos, if the value of such goods exceeds five pesos and does not exceed two hundred pesos; fifteen centavos, if the value exceeds two hundred pesos and does not exceed one thousand pesos; thirty centavos, if the value exceeds one thousand pesos and does not exceed five thousand pesos; seventy-five centavos, if the value exceeds five thousand pesos and does not exceed ten thousand pesos; and one peso and fifty centavos, if the value exceeds ten thousand pesos." (As amended by sec. 16, Rep. Act No. 40 and Rep. Act No. 1980 effective June 22, 1957) Pursuant to the aforequoted provisions of the law, bills of lading or receipts issued for goods transported on ferries across rivers from one town to another are exempt from the documentary stamp tax prescribed therein. Receipts issued for goods transported from one town to another town on ferries that go up and down rivers and those that go across straits and arms of sea are not exempt from the documentary stamp tax prescribed in section 227 of the Tax Code. As requested, the basic letter is herewith returned. Very truly yours, (SGD.) MELECIO R. DOMINGO Commissioner of Internal Revenue