BOC eases rules on balikbayan box duties

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has eased the rules for Filipinos availing of duty- and tax-free privileges for consolidated balikbayan boxes valued up to P150,000.

Customs Memorandum Order No. 18- 2018 issued on Oct. 11 supersedes CMO No. 04-2017, which lists the guidelines on the availment of the privilege by qualified Filipinos on their consolidated shipment of balikbayan boxes.

Instead of sticking to a Philippine passport as proof of citizenship, the BOC said it is accepting other documents such as a photocopy of the page of a Philippine passport with personal information, picture and signature.

In case of dual Filipino citizenship without a Philippine passport, a photocopy of foreign passport with personal information, picture and signature plus a copy of proof of dual Filipino citizenship are needed.

The bureau also accepts permanent resident ID or equivalent documents in other countries, overseas employment certificate or Overseas Workers Welfare Administration card, work permit, unified government ID issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and any other equivalent document except birth certificate.

To further simplify the rules, the BOC said qualified Filipinos are not required to submit the commercial invoices of the goods contained in the balikbayan box. Invoices are to be submitted only if these are available.

However, they are required to submit through their freight forwarders or deconsolidators three copies of the information sheet, which will serve as the packing list of the balikbayan box.