BOC probes selling of unclaimed balikbayan boxes online

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched an investigation into the alleged selling of unclaimed balikbayan boxes online. 

“Iniimbestigahan natin kung saan yung source at anong balikbayan boxes ang ibinebenta online,” BOC spokesperson Michael Fermin said in Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras” Wednesday. 

(We’re probing the source of the Balikbayan boxes.)

A quick search on Facebook will show postings of unclaimed balikbayan boxes being offered for P5,000. Recently, a viral video showed a content creator saying he bought a care package for P5,000.

The BOC denied they were selling balikbayan boxes but 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. 

“We have spent money to mobilize the cargo from their homes, okay? And shipping it all the way and sending it to there and keeping it in safe and secure custody with us,” said Golden Express International Cargo CEO George Matthew.

“So at least let us cover a small part of the freight,” Matthew added. 

Meanwhile, some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who lost their balikbayan boxes said the BOC asked them to pay P18,000 to P20,000 to locate their parcels. Fermin denied the allegation. 

“Kailanman po ay hindi tayo nag-demand ng babayaran para lang makuha nila ang kahon. Kung mapaatunayan po natin yan we will make sure po that we will file administrative cases and we will suspend or terminate itong empelyado na ito,” he added. 

(We never demanded OFWs to pay such fees. If we will prove that this is true, we will make sure to file administrative cases and we will suspend or terminate the involved employees.)

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 scams. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News