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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Customs to partner with deconsolidators for 'Balikbayan' boxes

Customs to partner with deconsolidators for 'Balikbayan' boxes

Published Aug 7, 2023 04:07 am

At A Glance

  • The Bureau of Customs is planning to partner with companies to organize and handle balikbayan boxes of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) upon their arrival.<br>A Customs Memorandum Order is being drafted to mandate the registration of deconsolidators with the bureau.<br>Deconsolidators will be required to pay a performance bond worth P2 million to ensure accountability and responsible handling of balikbayan boxes.<br>The Bureau of Customs has established a strategic partnership with the Office of the President and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to further assist OFWs with their balikbayan boxes.

The Bureau of Customs is considering partnering with companies to assist in separating and organizing balikbayan boxes belonging to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) upon their arrival in the country.

As part of its proactive measures, Customs said in a statement that it is in the process of drafting a Customs Memorandum Order that will enforce the registration of deconsolidators with the bureau.

By implementing this measure, which includes the mandatory payment of a performance bond of P2 million, Customs said it aims to establish a system of accountability and ensure that the handling of balikbayan boxes is carried out with the utmost care and efficiency.

Customs said this requirement will help ensure that deconsolidators diligently fulfill their obligations, safeguarding OFWs' interests.

The performance bond is a financial guarantee, providing recourse in case of mishandling, loss, or damage to the balikbayan boxes during the deconsolidation process.

Aside from the planned deconsolidators, Customs has also formed a strategic partnership with the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

In a meeting last Aug. 3, Acting Customs Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin, along with other key Customs officials met with Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilberto DC Cruz.

The meeting seeks to address the pressing issue of unscrupulous forwarders victimizing numerous OFWs abroad using balikbayan boxes.

Fermin presented the concrete actions taken by the bureau to support OFWs and facilitate the release of their precious balikbayan boxes.

One of the achievements highlighted was the successful release of 36 containers of abandoned consolidated shipments, comprising 9,689 boxes.

Out of these, 9,011 boxes have been rightfully distributed to their respective owners, while 678 boxes remain unclaimed due to insufficient information.

To combat the reprehensible activities of unscrupulous forwarders involved in the balikbayan box scheme, Customs has filed 11 criminal complaints to bring the perpetrators to justice and safeguard the interests of OFWs.

Moreover, Customs is actively finalizing a joint memorandum agreement with the PAOCC, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), forwarders, and other stakeholders.

This comprehensive agreement seeks to streamline processes, enhance coordination, and fortify efforts in safeguarding the welfare of OFWs and their balikbayan boxes.

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