The Bureau of Customs (BOC) today, May 29, 2026, filed criminal complaints against Makati Express Cargo, Inc. (MECI), together with several of its officers and responsible personnel, in connection with the abandonment of tens of thousands of Balikbayan boxes intended for recipients throughout the Philippines.
In a statement, the BOC said the complaints stemmed from MECI’s alleged repeated failure, as a registered freight forwarder and deconsolidator, to process, claim, and facilitate the release of consolidated Balikbayan Box shipments that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), Port of Cebu, and Port of Davao from 2024 to 2025.
According to BOC, its record showed the company has a total of 117 forty-footer containers containing approximately 36,826 Balikbayan boxes were left unclaimed and were subsequently declared impliedly abandoned in favor of the government pursuant to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and applicable customs regulations.
Of the total abandoned shipments, 65 containers containing around 19,671 boxes were consigned through the MICP, 50 containers containing approximately 16,431 boxes arrived through the Port of Cebu, and two containers containing approximately 724 boxes were shipped through the Port of Davao.
Prior to the filing of charges, the BOC issued a Final Show Cause Order on October 21, 2025 directing MECI to immediately process the release of its overstaying shipments and settle the corresponding duties, taxes, and other lawful charges. Despite receipt of the order, MECI allegedly failed to comply with its obligations under customs laws and regulations.
The BOC likewise revoked MECI’s registration with the Bureau on 22 January 2026 after finding that the company repeatedly failed, without valid justification, to lodge goods declarations and claim its shipments within the prescribed period, resulting in overstaying and abandoned Balikbayan Box shipments. The Notice of Revocation further stated that MECI failed to sufficiently justify its non-compliance despite the issuance of the Final Show Cause Order, constituting grounds for revocation of its registration and accreditation under applicable customs regulations.
Thereafter, several OFWs and intended recipients personally sought assistance from the BOC after their Balikbayan Boxes remained undelivered.
The complaints filed before the Department of Justice charge MECI and its responsible officers with violations of Sections 1430 and 1403 of the CMTA, in relation to Sections 1226 and 800, and the applicable customs regulations governing third-party registration, importer accreditation, and consolidated Balikbayan Box shipments.
The BOC also cited allegations that MECI misrepresented material information in its registration records, failed to truthfully disclose its foreign consolidators, and continued accepting or processing Balikbayan Box shipments despite prior abandoned cargoes and operational deficiencies. According to the complaints, investigations further revealed that several of the company’s registered business and warehouse addresses had already been non-operational despite the continuation of shipment activities.
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno emphasized that the BOC remains committed to protecting the welfare of OFWs and ensuring accountability among entities transacting with the Bureau, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold the welfare of OFWs and strengthen public trust in government service.
“Behind every Balikbayan Box is a family waiting for a piece of home from their loved ones abroad. These boxes represent years of hard work and sacrifice. The BOC will pursue accountability and ensure that those responsible for their abandonment and non-delivery answer for their actions,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
The BOC assured affected OFWs and recipients that the Bureau continues to coordinate with concerned government agencies in addressing the issue and pursuing all appropriate legal remedies against those responsible.
The Bureau likewise continues the delivery of abandoned Balikbayan Boxes to their rightful recipients, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and through the support of Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, to protect the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families.
