The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it will investigate the reported selling of unclaimed “balikbayan” boxes online.
The BOC issued the statement after a viral video on social media where a customer showed a balikbayan package he bought for P5,000, which contained imported goods.
BOC Acting Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin clarified that the selling of balikbayan boxes online is covered by a service agreement involving the sender.
The BOC said that as per the agreement, if senders could not pay the cost of shipment and mobilization within two months, they would allow the company to liquidate the balikbayan boxes.
According to the BOC, agreements exist among the sender, the shipper, and the forwarder.
“If the sender fails to comply with the agreed payment, or if the box is not claimed within the specified period, their boxes may be disposed of for liquidation purposes. This falls outside the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs,” the BOC said.
Meanwhile, Fermin said the bureau is investigating the source of the balikbayan boxes that were shown on social media.
He also denied that the BOC were selling balikbayan boxes, saying some cargo companies admitted selling off unclaimed packages that were stored in their warehouses for over a year to online traders for P3,000 to P5,000.
The BOC deputy commissioner also said that individuals who are found to be selling balikbayan boxes that do not belong to them may be charged with estafa.
Meanwhile, the BOC will issue a list of accredited consolidators and forwarding companies to guide OFWs who will send balikbayan boxes and prevent them from falling into scam.