THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) reminded the families and recipients of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to claim the packages sent to them from abroad that remain unclaimed for more than one year now.
In a statement last June 30, 2024, the agency said these ‘balikbayan’ boxes, which arrived from Kuwait last February 12, 2023, are covered by Bill of Lading (BL) ONEYKW1TA1994400, ONEYKW1TA1968500 and ONEYKW1TA1998800 consigned to Mediacom Express Cargo and Pinoy Network Cargo WLL.
However, the above forwarders abandoned the shipments after collecting payments from the senders, leaving them and their families without their hard-earned balikbayan boxes.
The quick release of the thousands of pending balikbayan boxes in BOC custody is among the instructions to the agency by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In compliance, the BOC said it has already facilitated the release and distribution of over 450 balikbayan boxes, bringing the total number of successfully distributed boxes to 10,084. However, approximately 294 boxes remain unclaimed.
These boxes are currently stored at Port Net Logistics, Inc. CFS Warehouse, located at 2657 Old Panaderos St, Santa Ana, Manila, 1009 Metro Manila.
The list of unclaimed balikbayan boxes can be viewed on the BOC website at https://customs.gov.ph/notice-to-claim-abandoned-balikbayan-boxes-consigned-to-mediacom-express-cargo-and-pinoy-network-cargo/.
To claim their boxes, the BOC said recipients must present the following documents at the Port Net Logistics, Inc. CFS Warehouse:
- 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)
If claiming on behalf of someone else or as a representative, the claimant must also provide the following:
- Notarized authorization letter or special power of attorney
- Valid ID of the representative
For further inquiries, the BOC informed those concerned to contact its hotline number: (02) 8705-6000 or via email at boc.cares@customs.gov.ph.