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‘Balikbayan boxes rush’ begins

 

In time for the Yuletide season, the number of OFWs sending balikbayan boxes to their loved ones back home has increased and may be credited to the its tax exemption under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act enacted in June, said government officials.

Under the law, the tax exemption for shipments was raised to P150,000 from the old regulation valued only at P10,000.

GMA News reported that many OFWs in Hong Kong have started sending their balikbayan boxes. The report said the OFWs were not worried of pilferage as the Bureau of Customs has already abandoned its earlier plan to manually check balikbayan boxes for contraband and smuggled items.

“Masayang masaya po, walang pag-aalinlangan… hindi na binubuksan ang box panatag na ang loob namin,” one OFW was quoted to have said.

The report also quoted a manager of a courier service in Hong Kong, who said more OFWs are sending balikbayan boxes now that the BOC is no longer manually inspecting them.

“Nalalaman nila na hindi na nagbubukas. Mas maaga, mas marami, at mas masaya silang magpadala ngayon,” she said.

A crowd of OFWs was seen occupying a sidewalk in Hong Kong and helping each other pack balikbayan boxes. Each box usually contained canned goods, clothes, shoes and toys.

 

 

 

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