The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced the sixty-day suspension of the accreditation of Makati Express Cargo, Inc. (MECI) as a Deconsolidator and Consignee. The decisive action underscores the BOC’s continuing commitment to protecting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and ensuring freight forwarding companies adhere to customs laws.
The suspension was imposed following MECI’s failure to comply with the directives contained in a Show Cause Order issued on October 23, 2025. The order required the company to immediately settle its outstanding duties and taxes and provide a clear explanation for why its accreditation should not be revoked.
Before the suspension, reports surfaced indicating that MECI had numerous containers of Balikbayan Boxes left unclaimed, unpaid, and overstaying across several major ports, including Manila International Container Port (MICP), Cebu, and Davao. Some of these shipments had already been declared abandoned.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno emphasized the Bureau’s resolve: “The Bureau of Customs will continue to enforce accountability and protect the welfare of our OFWs. We remain committed to ensuring that all forwarding companies comply with customs laws and that our kababayans can trust that their hard-earned shipments reach their families safely and without delay.”
To mitigate the impact on affected OFWs, the BOC is working in close coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). This effort is focused on monitoring and taking appropriate measures to ensure the unclaimed Balikbayan Boxes are properly accounted for and delivered to their intended recipients.
The BOC will also explore avenues to endorse the matter to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for appropriate action on MECI’s accreditation with the said agency. Through these comprehensive efforts, the BOC demonstrates its dedication to upholding integrity in trade facilitation while proactively protecting the interests of Filipinos working abroad.
