AT least 400 balikbayan boxes which have been overstaying at the Manila International Container Port for almost nine months will be released to their proper recipients, the Bureau of Customs said.
Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon ordered the release of overstaying balikbayan boxes at a very reasonable cost due to the appeal of the recipients after their brokers abandoned their shipments.
Pherica International, who won in a bidding for the abandoned balikbayan boxes, urged the BoC that instead of selling the boxes to other parties, the boxes be released to their rightful recipients at a reasonable cost in time for the Christmas season.
The 400 balikbayan boxes arrived through US-based international cargo forwarder RDR Forwarding. The said forwarder failed to secure a local forwarder to process the shipment due to bankruptcy. Since the abandonment, balikbayan box senders said they can no longer contact RDR Forwarding.
Based on Section 1129 of the Customs Tariff and Modernization Act, an imported shipment is deemed “abandoned” when the importer, owner or consignee fails to file an entry within 30 days from the date of discharge of the last package, or having filed such entry but fails to claim the importation within 15 days after.
Faeldon has previously instructed MICP officials to look into this special case and exhaust all possible remedies so that the overseas Filipino workers and their families won’t be troubled for long by the forwarder’s negligence.
He stressed the significance of each balikbayan box, which symbolizes the hardship of OFWs and their love for families left behind.
Pherica International said it will coordinate with MICP and with the recipients to process the immediate release of the balikbayan boxes.
Faeldon reminded OFWs to be extra careful in sending balikbayan boxes by ensuring that they transact only with legitimate cargo forwarders saying the list of accredited international and local forwarders is available on BoC and DTI websites.