BOC to relax balikbayan box rules during Christmas season
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be able to send packages to their loved ones this Christmas season without fear of paying taxes for going “slightly” over the 10,000 limit for balikbayan boxes, according to an organization advocating the rights of OFWs.
In a meeting Wednesday, it was reported that a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official allayed fears that they will strictly tax balikbayan boxes with contents valued over 10,000, according to a statement from the Blas F. Ople Policy Center (BFOPC).
“The BOC official also allayed fears that it would strictly implement an outdated law that mandates the agency to collect taxes from balikbayan boxes with contents valued over 10,000 from OFWs,” Susan Ople, president of BFOPC, said.
She disclosed the BOC announcement that it will be “liberal” in enforcing the cap for balikbayan boxes during its meeting with OFW stakeholders at the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) office in Pasay City last Wednesday.
Ople said this was in deference to the “traditional practice of sending home gifts and household items to their loved ones through door-to-door balikbayan boxes as a gesture of love for the family.”
There is a pending proposal in Congress to raise the non-taxable limit for balikbayan boxes from 10,000 to 100,000.
During the dialogue, Ople said the BOC assured that it will not impose additional taxes for balikbayan boxes for now.
“There are no additional fees in the pipeline, and the OFWs would be consulted prior to any decision to raise fees to be paid by freight forwarding companies,” Ople said.
Both developments were a reversal of BOC’s earlier announcements to hike duties and impose stricter inspection measures for balikbayan boxes to stop its misuse as a means to send highly taxable goods or even illegal items into the country.
The controversial policy sparked public outrage among OFWs who reported of balikbayan boxes being pilfered or whose inspection destroyed not only the box but also its contents. The controversy later led to a “No Remittance Day” held by the OFWs.
During the meeting, Ople said BOC also agreed to create a Facebook account to receive queries and grievances from migrants, especially related to their balikbayan boxes.
“OFWs can also write to: helpdesk@customs.gov.ph or send direct messages via Twitter to: @customsph. Families of OFWs can also call the Boc hotline: (02) 527-8259,” Ople said.
BFOPC, a member of the OFW Coalition, had sought an audience with BOC to discuss subsequent policies for balikbayan boxes.