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The Bureau of Customs filed criminal complaints with the Department of Justice against five cargo forwarding firms accused of operating fraudulent balikbayan box operations
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Firms named: Ikthus Trading Corporation, Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, Me Amoree International Consumer Goods Trading, MT De Guzman Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Cargoflex Haulers Corporation
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Cases tied to 3,176 abandoned balikbayan boxes found in ports nationwide
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Alleged violations include misdeclaration/undervaluation, unauthorized deconsolidation, smuggling, non-declaration of commercial goods, importation of prohibited/regulated items, and IP rights violations
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Follows BOC’s first batch of complaints filed May 29, 2026 against Makati Express Cargo, Inc.
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BOC says more cases are under investigation, with additional complaints expected
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Agency also pursuing reforms on oversight of consolidators/deconsolidators and overseas Filipino workers assistance mechanisms
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed a second batch of criminal complaints before the Department of Justice, this time against five cargo forwarding firms accused of running fraudulent balikbayan box operations.
The complaints, the BOC announced, were lodged against Ikthus Trading Corporation, Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, Me Amoree International Consumer Goods Trading, MT De Guzman Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Cargoflex Haulers Corporation for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and other applicable laws.
The cases stem from a total of 3,176 abandoned balikbayan boxes uncovered in several ports nationwide.
BOC investigators found alleged schemes involving fraudulent misdeclaration and undervaluation of goods, unauthorized deconsolidation activities, outright smuggling, non-declaration of commercial goods, importation of prohibited and regulated items, and intellectual property rights violations.
The new complaints come on the heels of the Bureau’s first batch of criminal cases, filed May 29, 2026 against Makati Express Cargo, Inc., with cases initiated by the Ports of Cebu, Davao, and the Manila International Container Port.
Together, the two filings form part of a broader enforcement drive targeting cargo firms accused of exploiting the balikbayan box system at the expense of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
Nepomuceno said the BOC will continue to pursue all individuals and entities found liable for violations of customs and other relevant laws.
“The second batch of these cases demonstrates our determination to hold lawbreakers accountable. We will not stop investigating, building cases, and filing the necessary complaints against cargo operators involved in deception and other fraudulent activities that harm our overseas Filipino workers and their families,” Nepomuceno said.
The bureau stressed that the latest filing is only part of its continuing enforcement campaign. Several other cases involving suspected violations by cargo forwarding firms are still under investigation and case build-up, with additional complaints expected to be filed as evidence is gathered and evaluated.
READ: DAPI asks for due process on balikbayan box abandonment cases
Beyond criminal prosecution, the BOC said it is also implementing reforms to strengthen oversight of cargo consolidators and deconsolidators, improve assistance mechanisms for OFWs, and enhance coordination with partner agencies in addressing complaints involving delayed, abandoned, or mishandled balikbayan box shipments.
READ: BOC starts release of last batch of abandoned balikbayan boxes
