The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will both implement the Customs Administrative Order 05-2016, which exempts OFWs from duties and taxes for shipments that are below P150,000 (Dh10,903); and the Customs Memorandum Order 04-2017 (CMO 04-2017), which constitutes the guidelines on the implementation of CAO 05-2016 starting August 1.
However, BOC clarified earlier reports that the agency will bar OFWs from sending parcels to non-relatives.
Customs said OFWs can still send to non-relatives, but their shipments will be charged with corresponding taxes and duties.
Under the CMO 04-2017, “qualified Filipinos” who seek to avail of the balikbayan privilege stated in the CAO 05-2016 will be required to provide receipts of newly-purchased items, and an itemized list of the box’s contents as well as a copy of the biographical page of the passport to prove their citizenship.
BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon also clarified that the agency and forwarding companies will only require receipts and invoices for brand new items.
“‘Yung mga brand new lang po lalo na ‘yung medyo may halaga. Pero kung ‘yung mga ordinaryo lang na t-shirt, hindi na ‘yun critical. Pero kung may nilagay kang brand new na relo at ‘di naglagay ng receipt, pag daan sa customs ng bansa na pinanggagalingan hinarang yan at kinonfiscate, ikaw na mawawalan kaagad,” Faeldon told the media.
Faeldon also assured OFWs that their balikbayan boxes will not be manually inspected, unless BOC inspectors detect contraband items.
