LIST: Things you must not put inside your balikbayan box

Each year, OFWs tightly wrap their own balikbayan boxes containing various items, such as imported canned good, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, among others, intended for their families back home.

While OFWs want to share the fruits of their hard work with their loved ones, some items are banned for entry to the Philippines.

To make sure that your boxes will arrive in time without any questioning, here’s the list of the banned items as per the Bureau of Customs:

– Any goods manufactured in whole or in part of gold, silver or other precious materials and alloys with the stamp, brand, or mark not indicating the fineness of the quality of metals and alloys used.

– Any adulterated or misbranded food products for human consumption.

– Written or printed goods, negatives, cinematographic films, drawings, photographs, engravings, lithographs, objects, paintings, or other representation of an obscene or immoral character.

– Goods and other related products and drugs that promote unlawful abortion.

– Materials that advocate or incite treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the government of the Philippines, or written or printed goods containing any threat to take the life of, or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the Philippines.

– Infringing goods as defined under the Intellectual Property Code and related laws.

Important: It is still best to check on information available in Philippine government’s website to stay updated on the list of banned and regulated items.