UNCLAIMED. Some of the 294 "balikbayan" boxes stored at the Bureau of Customs in Port Area, Manila. The agency on Sunday (June 30, 2024) called on the owners to claim the remaining boxes. (Photo courtesy of BOC)
MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday asked overseas Filipino workers and their families to claim the 294 remaining "balikbayan" (returning citizens) boxes still under its custody.
The BOC said the boxes were abandoned by forwarders after collecting payments from abroad.
BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio urged the recipients' cooperation in reuniting the boxes with their rightful owners.
“Let us work together to ensure that these balikbayan boxes, filled with memories and valuable items, reach their intended recipients," he said in a news release.
The boxes, identified with Bill of Lading numbers ONEYKW1TA1994400, ONEYKW1TA1968500, ONEYKW1TA1998800, and consigned to Mediacom Express Cargo and Pinoy Network Cargo WLL, arrived from Kuwait on Feb. 12, 2023.
The 294 boxes are currently stored at Port Net Logistics, Inc. CFS Warehouse in Sta, Ana, 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, recipients must present the following documents: passport of the sender (original or photocopy), one valid government-issued ID (original and photocopy) and proof of shipping such as invoice or bill of lading (original and photocopy).
For those claiming on behalf of someone else or as a representative, they are asked to provide the following additional requirements: notarized authorization letter or special power of attorney and valid ID of the representative
For inquiries, the public may contact the BOC through its hotline (02) 8705-6000 or via email at [email protected].
Previously, the BOC facilitated the release and distribution of over 450 balikbayan boxes, bringing the total number of successfully distributed boxes to 10,084. (PNA)
