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A joint administrative order strengthening regulation on balikbayan boxes has been signed on June 9
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The order aims to streamline national policies on balikbayan boxes; guarantee the safe and timely delivery of every box to families of overseas Filipino workers; and prevent abuses by identifying legitimate international freight forwarders and weeding out unscrupulous players
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It addresses long-standing issues, particularly the failure of some deconsolidators to process and release balikbayan boxes
A joint administrative order (JAO) strengthening regulation on balikbayan boxes has been signed on June 9. The JAO reinforces Bureau of Customs (BOC) protocols on balikbayan boxes, the Department of Finance (DOF) said in a statement.
The order was issued by DOF together with the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, BOC, and Philippine Ports Authority.
It aims to streamline national policies on balikbayan boxes; guarantee the safe and timely delivery of every box to families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs); and prevent abuses by identifying legitimate international freight forwarders and weeding out unscrupulous players, DOF said.
It added that the order addresses long-standing issues, particularly the failure of some deconsolidators to process and release balikbayan boxes, that has led to undelivered shipments for many OFWs.
“It is our duty to defend every peso our OFWs send home— including what’s inside their balikbayan boxes. This JAO will allow us in the DOF to make sure that your shipments do not land in the hands of fraudulent consolidators,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.
Recto previously championed the bill raising the tax-exempt value of pasalubong cargo brought in or sent by OFWs.
Under the JAO, the DOF will oversee the timely and proper release of balikbayan boxes and ensure continued collaboration with the BOC and other government agencies involved in the process.
BOC will issue implementing rules and regulations for the registration of deconsolidators as third parties.
It will also be in charge of regulations outlining procedures for the release of abandoned balikbayan boxes. This includes provisions establishing a mechanism for designated deconsolidators and/or consolidators to settle expenses related to the proper release of boxes.
In addition, BOC will define the obligations and liabilities of registered deconsolidators and counterpart consolidators pertaining to the release of balikbayan boxes from customs custody.
The JAO authorizes BOC to provide grounds for the suspension, cancellation, or revocation of registration of deconsolidators.
The BOC website will post an updated list of registered deconsolidators with complete documents, the rights and obligations of OFWs, reports of abandoned balikbayan boxes, and the status of their disposition or delivery.
The JAO takes effect 30 days after publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines and filing of three certified copies with the Office of the National Administrative Register of the University of the Philippines Law Center.
Currently, Customs Administrative Order No. 01-2018 contains amended BOC rules on consolidated shipment of balikbayan boxes. Customs Memorandum Order No. 18-2018 operationalizes CAO 01-2018. Among others, CMO 18-2018 requires deconsolidators to register with the bureau.
In 2024, BOC conducted a public consultation on its draft rules and regulations on the registration of sea cargo deconsolidators as third parties, with the aim of ensuring that, to the extent possible, balikbayan boxes sent by Filipinos abroad will be delivered to the ultimate consignee in the Philippines.
The signing of the JAO is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call to support OFWs, honoring them for their exemplary contribution to national development, DOF said.
