BOC urges OFWs, their families to claim 294 abandoned balikbayan boxes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday called on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to claim 294 balikbayan boxes that were transported in the Philippines in 2023.

“Unfortunately, they were abandoned by the forwarder after collecting payments from abroad,” BOC said in a statement on Sunday.

According to Customs, the balikbayan boxes arrived in the Philippines from Kuwait on Feb. 12, 2023 and are stored in a warehouse in Santa Ana, Manila.

Of the abandoned balikbayan boxes, BOC said they have already distributed 450 boxes.

OFWs and their families may check their unclaimed balikbayan boxes at the BOC website.

To claim the balikbayan boxes, recipients must present the following documents:

• Passport of the sender (original or photocopy)
• One valid government-issued ID (original and photocopy)
• Proof of shipping such as invoice or bill of lading (original and photocopy)

Meanwhile, those who will claim the balikbayan boxes on behalf of someone else must provide the following additional requirements:

• Notarized authorization letter or special power of attorney
• Valid ID of the representative