BOC seizes 402 smuggled balikbayan boxes

MANILA, Philippines - To prove that balikbayan boxes are being used for smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 402 alleged undeclared balikbayan boxes filled with assorted goods from Singapore.

In a statement issued yesterday, the BOC said it seized a consolidated shipment that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last month.

The consolidator, Philbase Express Freight Logistics Corp., reportedly only declared the shipment to carry 133 packages of household goods and personal effects but failed to declare the 402 other boxes.

Out of the 402 undeclared boxes 380 boxes contained pre-mixed flour and pork floss reportedly consigned to popular Singaporean brand BreadTalk; seven boxes contained ball casters reportedly consigned to Seek and Find Instaparts Corp.; seven boxes, each with 200 Quebee protective eyewear, reportedly consigned to Basic Occupational; and five boxes with 144 pairs of Worksafe protective eyewear, reportedly consigned to Worksafe. 

BOC officials verified that the 402 boxes have an estimated value of P1.7 million.

The alert order has reportedly been lifted to pave the way of continuous processing of documents and release to the legitimate consignees of the 133 packages. 

The BOC has recently been the under attack from overseas Filipino workers and legislators after it announced that it would conduct a random check of balikbayan boxes that are reportedly used to carry smuggled goods into the country.