Unscrupulous freight consolidators have duped overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) into sending their “balikbayan boxes” with unusually low shipping fees, and promises of fast, door-to-door delivery, according to Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno.
Nepomuceno revealed this modus operandi by these foreign-based freight consolidators during the distribution of the first batch of the final wave of abandoned “balikbayan boxes” at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Manila.
These consolidators collect payments abroad and ship the boxes in bulk, but upon arrival, fail to complete the required processing or settle charges —including shipping line, port, storage, and handling fees. As a result, shipments remain unprocessed, unpaid, and are eventually deemed abandoned at customs, despite OFWs having already paid in full.
Nepomuceno has sought the help of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go for the release of the OFW gift packages. Go led the distribution Wednesday after securing clearance from President Marcos Jr. to release the abandoned gift boxes to the recipient families – free of charge.
Secretary Go expressed his gratitude to the BOC for their dedicated efforts in supporting the country’s modern-day heroes––the OFWs.
He also reminded OFWs and their families to transact only with BOC-accredited freight forwarders and remain vigilant.
