Recipients of numerous balikbayan boxes sent home by OFWs but were unpaid and abandoned by local deconsolidators are finally receiving the shipments courtesy of the Bureau of Customs
To date, BOC has already distributed seven containers of the balikbayan boxes consigned to CMG
Three containers of door-to-door boxes sent through Island Kabayan are ready for pickup in Sta. Ana, Manila
16 containers shipped through All Win are also ready for pickup in Balagtas, Bulacan
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has distributed to their intended recipients numerous unpaid and abandoned balikbayan boxes sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) but local deconsolidators failed to deliver.
Acting Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz ordered the immediate release of these balikbayan boxes from 19 abandoned containers at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) to their intended recipients in time for the Christmas season, BOC said in a statement.
The deconsolidators of the unpaid and abandoned balikbayan boxes were CMG International Movers and Cargo Services, FBV Forwarder and Logistics Inc., and Cargoflex Haulers Corporation.
Their consolidators, all located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were All Win Balikbayan Cargo LLC and Island Kabayan Express Cargo LLC.
BOC said the consolidators agreed to deliver the packages to the consignees’ addresses in the Philippines. However, no payment was made to local deconsolidators, resulting in the non-settlement of duties, taxes, and other charges due the BOC.
To resolve the issue, BOC finalized measures to immediately distribute the abandoned boxes with the help of various groups and agencies.
To date, seven containers of balikbayan boxes consigned to CMG have already been distributed.
Three containers under Island Kabayan are ready for pickup at Portnet Logistics Inc., 2657 Old Panaderos St., Sta. Ana, Manila.
In addition, 16 containers shipped by All Win are also ready for pickup at Km 33, Hobart Warehouse Compound, Brgy. Tiwala, Borol 1st, Balagtas, Bulacan.
Pickup is every Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Upon claiming, the authorized recipients should present the original copy of the bill of lading, invoice, or any proof of shipping, and two valid government-issued IDs.
An authorized representative may also claim on behalf of the recipient and should provide the following:
- Original copy of the bill of lading, invoice, or any proof of shipping
- A special power of attorney or notarized authority to claim from the owner/recipient
- Two valid government-issued IDs of the owner/recipient with three specimen signatures
- Representative’s government-issued ID
BOC, meanwhile, reminded OFWs to exercise due diligence in verifying the legitimacy of consolidators and deconsolidators when sending balikbayan boxes to prevent themselves from being victimized by unscrupulous businessmen.
BOC said it is also coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Trade and Industry-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau to stop similar unscrupulous activities.
Last year, BOC-MICP, Door-to-Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines, and Atlas Express also facilitated the delivery to recipients of an estimated 400 balikbayan boxes, also originally processed and then abandoned by CMG due to lockdowns that prevented the delivery of the boxes to recipients.
