VAT Ruling No. 053-90

February 23, 1990 VAT RULING NO. 053-90 103 (u)-023-90-053-90 New Life 2000: Manila P. O. Box 458 Manila, 1099 Attention: Ms . Agnes Grace Maza Consignee Gentlemen : This refers to your letter dated February 9, 1990, requesting tax exemption of your shipment of 12 cartons of religious films covered by Air Waybill No. 125-6561-1744 (British Airways) coming from the United Kingdom. cdt It appears that the said films are Tagalog and English version prints of the life of Jesus Christ; and that under the provisions of the UNESCO Florence Agreement the same is classified as "Films" under Annex C(1) thereof, on importation of educational scientific and cultural materials. (BIR Ruling No. 064-88, Feb. 29, 1989 and BIR Ruling No. 211-89, October 3, 1989) In connection, therewith, please be informed that pursuant to Section 103(u) of the Tax Code, as amended by Executive Order No. 273 and implemented by Section 9(b)(16) of Revenue Regulations No. 5-87, transactions which are exempt under international agreements to which the Philippines is a signatory, are exempt from the value-added tax (VAT). Such being the case, the aforesaid imported films consigned to you, are exempt from VAT. In other words, the exemption granted to your organization by virtue of the UNESCO Florence Agreement is not revoked by the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Law. [BIR Ruling No. 041-88, Feb. 11, 1988; BIR Ruling, Ibid.] This serves as a certification authorizing you to secure the release from customs custody of your aforesaid shipment of the Tagalog and English version prints of the life of Jesus Christ without payment of the 10% VAT. LLphil Very truly yours, JOSE U. ONG Commissioner of Internal Revenue