Send balikbayan boxes legally, Filipinos told

Use accredited Filipino cargo firms and foreign agents, official says

Officials have reminded Filipino expatriates to send their balikbayan boxes, or care packages, through legitimate cargo companies. Ahead of Christmas, Filipinos customarily send goods such as household appliances, chocolates, toys and clothes packed in a balikbayan box to families back home as early as September as delivery could take between one to two months depending on the destination in the Philippines.

Charmaine Mignon Yalong, commercial attaché for Middle East and Africa, said: “We always warn the public that these are your love boxes. These boxes contain items that you bought with your hard-earned money. The last hurdle is really getting them to your families.

“We have a list of accredited Filipino companies and their foreign agents at the Department of Trade and Industry. Please choose from the listed companies as we can assure you that they are the legitimate ones.”