Started in the the 1980s,

balikbayan boxes are duty and

tax free packages of personal
effects or pasalubongs sent by
Filipinos residing or working
abroad to families in the
Philippines for purposes of
preserving strong family ties.

ACCORDING TO THE LAW:

The contents of a balikbayan box must

not exceed P10,000.00 in value.
Only the importation of personal and
household effects belonging to
residents of the Philippines returning
from abroad are exempt from duties,
provided that they are accompanied
by the returning resident.
OFWs are allowed to send
1 balikbayan box per month.

ACCORDING TO THE LAW:

Canned goods, grocery items and

other household effects must not
exceed a dozen a kind, while
apparels whether used or new must
not exceed 3 yards per cut. Only one
(1) consignment per sender during a
one-month period is allowed.
Also banned and/or regulated
firearms and ammunitions, prohibited
drugs, etc.

SHIPPING PROCESS:

SHIPPING PROCESS:

Arrastre charges payments

to arrastre operators

SHIPPING PROCESS:

Arrastre charges payments

to arrastre operators

Truck-mounted X-ray inspection at the

Port of Discharge Designated Stations
(If after inspection, no derogatory
image/suspect)

SHIPPING PROCESS:

Arrastre charges payments

to arrastre operators

Delivery to forwarders warehouse

Truck-mounted X-ray inspection at the

Port of Discharge Designated Stations
(If after inspection, no derogatory
image/suspect)

SHIPPING PROCESS:

Arrastre charges payments

to arrastre operators

Delivery to forwarders warehouse

Truck-mounted X-ray inspection at the

Port of Discharge Designated Stations
(If after inspection, no derogatory
image/suspect)

Distribution to recipients

440

Container = Standard-sized
balikbayan boxes

440

1,500

Container = Standard-sized
balikbayan boxes

Month

Containers with
balikbayan boxes
enter the country

440

1,500

Container = Standard-sized
balikbayan boxes

Month

Containers with
=
balikbayan boxes
enter the country

18,000
Containers
per year

EXAMPLE 1

Mr. Danilo Pineda, Filipino was arrested by the combined elements of Bureau of Customs, PDEA
and PNP-AIDSOFT for importing 38.65 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, locally
known as Shabu concealed in a water tank

EXAMPLE 2

One Thousand Three Hundred Sixty (1,360) pieces of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

or ecstasy was intercepted at Philippine Postal and the consignee was arrested by the combined
elements of the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) and PDEA

EXAMPLE 3

ARREST OF MS. MARY JOY CORPUS SORIANO, FILIPINO CITIZEN, FOR SMUGGLING OF
2.00 KGS. OF LIQUID COCAINE AT NAIA TERMINAL I

EXAMPLE 4

Declared as Food Supplement but found to contain Date-Rape Drugs (ALPRAZOLAM).

EXAMPLE 5

Confiscated Methamphetamine.

EXAMPLE 6

Interception of Personal Effects declared as 2 pcs. T-Shirts, 3 pcs. Bike Sitpost,

5 pcs.Caliper Spring, and 1 pc. Blouse but found to contain 3 pcs. Rainer Arms (.56)
and 1 pc. Kreiger (5.56).223 Wylde.

EXAMPLE 7

EXAMPLE 8

111 PCS. ARMALITE MAGAZINES (M-16)

EXAMPLE 9

438 BOXES HOUSEHOLD GOODS &

9 BOXES MIXED WITH STEEL FRAME GUN PARTS & BOTTLES OF NUTRITION/
PROTEIN ISOLATE POWDER

EXAMPLE 10

20 BOXES ASSORTED MEDICINES

EXAMPLE 11

1 UNIT USED HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE

1 UNIT USED MOTORCYCLE ENGINE

EXAMPLE 12

1 UNIT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE WITH STANDARD ACCESSORIES

EXAMPLE 13

Scanned Image

141 PIECES WRISTWATCHES OF VARIOUS BRANDS

EXAMPLE 14

Scanned Image

9 UNITS SONY VAIO LAPTOPS

EXAMPLE 15

Scanned Image

1 KIT PHANTOM 2 DLSR PROS AERIAL DRONE QUADCOPTER SYSTEM

EXAMPLE 16

Scanned Image

26 PIECES PRADA LADIES HAND-BAGS

EXAMPLE 17

Scanned Image

RIFLE SCOPE (FIREARMS ACCESSORIES)

MOVING FORWARD:
Shipments containing balikbayan
boxes will undergo mandatory x-ray
examination. If Customs finds
derogatory findings in the x-ray
examination, then the container van
will be opened so boxes can be
individually scanned through smaller xrays. Only then will a physical
inspection be considered.

MOVING FORWARD:
Through emergency procurement, we
are in the process of identifying how
many K9 units the agency needs to
cover all airports and seaports. To
make sure smuggling is curbed, we
will require independent K9 units such
as PDEA and PCG. Leasing K9 units
is also being considered.

MOVING FORWARD:
We have procured 200+ additional
CCTV cameras and already in the post
qualification stage.

MOVING FORWARD:
In the event of a physical inspection,
there will be an OWWA representative
and/or designated OFW association to
be present to witness the inspection. In
fact, BOC will be holding a dialogue
with OFW representatives so they are
well-represented in the new directives
of the president, such as access within
the Bureau.

MOVING FORWARD:
We also urge our colleagues in
government to prioritize the Customs
Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)
pending in Congress so we can
harmonize, modernize and simplify our
Customs procedures, superseding
policies and procedures that have not
been updated as far back as 1957.