PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the reduction of the tariff rate on tin-mill black plates (TMBP), a crucial material in canned food manufacturing, to 0% for a period of three years.
Executive Order No. 4, issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of the President, highlights the absence of local TMBP production and suitable substitutes, leading to the suspension of the existing 3% tariff on TMBP imports. TMBP is the primary raw material used in the production of tin plates and tin-free steel, which are essential for the canned food industry.
The decision follows a recommendation from the Economy and Development (ED) Council, which argued that temporarily modifying the import duty rate on TMBP would revitalize local tin plate and tin-free steel industries, promote consumer welfare by stabilizing the supply chain, lower production costs, generate employment, and foster a favorable environment for investments. EO 104, issued on November 6, 2025, will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation and will remain in effect for three years.
