A senator has urged the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to finally issue the “long-overdue” guidelines for tax-free balikbayan boxes.
“Magpa-Pasko na naman pero wala pa ring kasiguraduhan kung mapapakinabangan na ng ating mga kababayang abroad ang pribilehiyong ito,” Sen. Sonny Angara said in a statement.
BOC has suspended two Customs orders providing guidelines on the tax-free incentive, following the flak they received for being too tedious.
Under the suspended orders, Filipinos who want to avail the incentive must accomplish an information sheet that includes an itemized list of the box’s contents, and submit a copy of the receipts for brand new items as well as a photocopy of their passport.
In addition, under the orders, each box per sender must not exceed P150,000 within a year.
This, Angara said, is “contrary to the true intention of the law”, which aims to allow Overseas Filipino Workers to send up to three P150,000-worth of tax and duty free boxes within a year.
“Itinuturing nating bagong bayani ang ating mga OFW kaya nga natin itinulak ang batas na ito bilang dagdag pribilehiyo para sa kanila.
“The laws that Congress makes should always be interpreted in favor of the people-and in this instance, it should be in favor of our OFWs and their families,” the senator said.
Photo credit: Flickr Mica Cabildo
