DTI receives 520 complaints of undelivered ‘balikbayan’ boxes

The Department of Trade and Industry - Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTIFTEB) reported it has received and mediated 520 complaints of undelivered Balikbayan boxes from 2018 to December this year.

This prompted the FTEB to issue an advisory reminding overseas Filipinos - formerly called overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) - to take precautions when sending their balikbayan boxes to avoid scams this holiday.

The agency said it has issued accreditation to 153 seafreight forwarders (SFF) handling balikbayan box shipments as of November this year.

DTI-FTEB Director Fhillip D. Sawali is advising the public to make transactions with accredited SFFS, which can be identified and verified through the DTI’S list of Foreign Freight Forwarders and Dti-accredited Philippine counterparts or agents posted at the DTI website.

Freight forwarders that will be found violating the policies on balikbayan boxes will be penalized accordingly, stressed the agency.

To help curb holiday package scams, DTI is encouraging consumers to report violations in relation to SFFS, which can be sent through the consumercare@dti.gov.ph email or relayed through their consumer care hotline at 1-DTI (1384).

In order to ensure balikbayan boxes are secured, FTEB urged the senders to declare the contents of their balikbayan boxes, secure shipping documents, and obtain the name and contact details of their foreign forwarder.

The agency is also warning the public of shipping services or firms that are offering very low rates, or individuals falsely posing as representatives or consolidators.

People who have sent their balikbayan boxes may visit the Bureau of Customs Parcel and Balikbayan Box Tracking System to monitor their shipments.