PBBM: Undelivered Balikbayan Boxes to Reach Families Before Christmas

More than 100 undelivered balikbayan boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers will be delivered to their intended recipients before Christmas, with the government waiving all fees and charges for their release.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the move during his speech at NAIA Terminal 3 on Tuesday, saying the Bureau of Customs has already begun distributing the contents of abandoned container vans, including around 130 balikbayan boxes, to their rightful owners.

According to the President, the boxes were sent by OFWs to their families, but the listed consignees were unable to settle the required fees and taxes, causing the shipments to remain at the Bureau of Customs for nearly a year.

“We have now started the process of releasing and returning them, because these do not belong to the government. They belong to our OFWs,” the President said.

Under existing rules, qualified Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers, are allowed to send balikbayan boxes from abroad without paying duties and taxes to the Bureau of Customs.