The Bureau of Customs (BOC) released a memorandum ordering overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to itemize the contents of their “balikbayan boxes” and provide copies of receipts for newly purchased items.
Under the Memorandum Order 04-2017 or the “Guidelines on the Implementation of Customs Administrative Order No. 05-2016 on Consolidated Shipment of Duty and Tax-Free ‘Balikbayan Boxes’ with Revised Information Sheet”, senders are required to declare all contents of their packages starting August 1.
Aside from the itemized list and receipts, senders should also provide photocopies of their passports to confirm their Filipino citizenship. Consolidators will then forward their copies to the bureau.
James Ian Dela Vega, counsel for Door to Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines, said the requirements seek to ensure that there will be no abuse in the bureau’s privileges for Filipino shippers.
“Kung pinadala niya po ito sa kanyang kaibigan [hindi] hindi po niya maaaring [i-avail] and insentibo o previleyong ibinibigay sa batas,” Dela Vega said.
He added, “Kung sakaling mali, hindi kumpleto [at] walang resibo, maaaring patawan siya ng BOC ng kaukulang duties and taxes [kung] walang suportang dokumento o papel.”
BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said the move seeks to prevent smugglers from shipping unwanted items into the country.
“Let us make sure that these smugglers do not use our OFWs and their balikbayan boxes to smuggle contraband into the country,” Faeldon told the media.
Faeldon clarified that authorities will not hold manual inspection on their boxes.
“Hindi po binubulatlat ang balikbayan box. Pagdating po niyan dito, sa X-ray lang ‘yan dadaan. Pag walang nakitang kontrabando, walang bubuksan,” he said in an interview.
The memorandum said it aims to adopt “clear and transparent customs rules, regulations, policies and procedures, consistent with international standards and customs best practices”.
