RETAIL TRADE LIBERALIZATION ACT 2000

R.A. No. 8762 (RTLA2000)

Carpio Ernacio Maceda Manaois Palanca Profugo Singcol

RTLA 2000

Repealed RA 1180 Liberalized the Philippine retail industry to encourage Filipino and foreign investors have an efficient and competitive retail sector; and Empower the Filipino consumers

Definition and Coverage of Retail Trade

Elements:
a. Habitual act or business of selling; b. To the general public;

c. Of merchandise, commodities or goods for consumption.

RETAIL TRADE
Consumption Not the character of the business conducted by either seller or buyer that matters; it is rather, whether the purchaser uses or consumes the goods or whether he resells the same or passes them on ultimate consumer

RETAIL TRADE
Consumer Goods Producer Goods Auxiliary Goods

Exempted Transactions

Sales by a manufacturer, processor, laborer, or worker, to the general public of the products manufactured, processed or produced by him if his capital does not exceed P100, 000.00

Sales by a farmer or agriculturist, of the products of his farm, regardless of the capital Sales in restaurant operations by a hotel owner or inn-keeper irrespective of the amount of capital, provided that the restaurant is incidental to the hotel business

Sales to the general public, through a single outlet owned by a manufacturer of products manufactured, processed or assembled in the Philippines, irrespective of capitalization

Sales to industrial and commercial users or consumers who use the products bought by them to render service to the general public and/or produce or manufacture of goods which are in turn sold by them.

Special Exemption for Former Natural-Born Filipinos

Granted the same rights as Filipino citizens for purposes of retail trade under RA 8762

Categories of Retail Trade Enterprises

Category A Enterprises with paidup capital of the equivalent of less than US $ 2, 500, 000
Category B Enterprises with a minimum paid-up capital of the equivalent in Philippine Pesos US$2,500,000.00 but less US$7,500,000.00

Category C- Enterprises with a paidup capital of the equivalent in Philippine Pesos US$7,500,000.00 or more may be wholly owned by foreigners, provided that in no case shall the investments for establishing a store be less than the peso equivalent of US$830, 000.00

Category D Enterprises specializing in high-end or luxury products with a paid-up capital of the equivalent in Philippine Pesos of US$250,000.00 per store

Foreign Retailers

Prequalification Requirements

a. A minimum of Net Worth of -US$200M of the registrant corporation in Catergories B and C -US$50M of the registrant corporation in Catergory D

b. Five retailing branches or franchises, in operation anywhere around the world unless such retailer has at least one store, capitalized at a minimum of US$25M; c. Five- year track record in retailing;

d. They must be nationals, or juridical entities formed or incorporated in, countries in which allow the entry of Filipino retailers

Application for Prequalification

A request duly signed and acknowledged under oath by an authorize officer of the foreign retailer

Must be submitted to the Board of Investments before filing a formal application

Must be accompanied by a certification from the home-country or local embassy

Prohibited Activities of Qualified Foreign Retailers

Not allowed to engage in certain retailing activities outside their accredited stores

Penalty Clause
a. Imprisonment of not less than 6 years and one day but not more than 8 years;

b. Fine not less than P1,000,000.00 but not more than P2, 000, 00.00

Source
Law on Sales by Villanueva (2009) RA 8762