MANILA: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is urging Congress to prioritize the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act to improve the operations of the agency amid public outcry over its policy on inspections on balikbayan boxes.
“We are calling on our friends in Congress to prioritize the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act so we will be able to improve our delivery of services to the entire nation especially to the benefit of our OFW [overseas Filipino workers] kababayans,” Customs Commissioner Bert Lina said on Friday.
Lina assured Filipinos working abroad that the BOC is listening to their concerns on the inspections of balikbayan boxes.
“We will make sure that we will move forward on this issue together,” he said.
Lina added that the BOC is improving its inspection process after some contraband items such as drugs and guns were discovered to have been shipped into the country as personal items through balikbayan boxes.
He said there have been instances wherein liquid cocaine declared as food supplements and guns hidden in clothes slipped into the country.
He reminded the public that the contents of a balikbayan box must not exceed P10,000 in value, and should only include canned goods, grocery items and household items.
“OFWs are allowed to send one balikbayan box per month, but according to the law, it should only include canned goods, grocery items and other household effects,” he said.
The BOC will no longer randomly open balikbayan boxes, and will instead conduct mandatory X-ray and K-9 examination at no cost to the sender or the OFW.
A physical inspection will only be conducted in cases where there are derogatory findings.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier opposed the random opening of balikbayan boxes.
“The balikbayan box is part of Filipino culture and tradition and I don’t think OFWs will abuse this tradition to send in or smuggle contraband that will put them and their families in danger,” Baldoz said in a statement.
