Bureau of Customs proposes P2 million bond for balikbayan box forwarders

The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) is proposing new regulations for balikbayan box forwarders and deconsolidators following the discovery of thousands of abandoned shipments. Approximately 10,000 to 36,800 boxes, contained within 29 to 117 shipping containers, have been left stranded at ports in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

These abandoned shipments, some of which arrived as early as May, were reportedly left unclaimed after the Philippine companies responsible for handling them faced Department of Justice charges and ceased operations. The BOC has already blacklisted three companies and revoked the registration of Makati Express Cargo Inc. for failing to process shipments.

To prevent future occurrences, Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno proposed that forwarders must be accredited by the bureau and post a bond of at least P2 million. This bond is intended as a safeguard to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose shipments may go missing or arrive late. The BOC is also working with the Department of Migrant Workers to facilitate the distribution of currently abandoned goods.