A N N O U N C E M E N T

REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE

ENTRY OF NON-COMMERCIAL INBOUND CONSOLIDATION SHIPMENTS

FROM FILIPINOS ABROAD

In view of the concerns of Filipino overseas regarding balikbayan boxes remaining in the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine Embassy wishes to inform the Filipino community in China that under Customs Memorandum Order No. 79-90 or the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Entry of Non-Commercial Inbound Consolidation Shipments from Filipino Abroad and based on Customs practices and procedures, once the cargo arrives in the Philippines, the local consolidator or courier shall file the necessary documents with the BOC. The BOC shall then assess the duties and taxes and the local consolidator or courier shall pay for them, after which, the goods shall be released and the local courier shall deliver the goods to the intended recipients. However, there are instances when the local consolidator does not pay the duties and taxes which cause the balikbayan boxes to remain unreleased.

The BOC is currently reviewing the existing procedures as provided above, to ensure the timely release of the packages to their intended recipients. BOC likewise assures Filipinos abroad that it is exercising utmost care in handling these packages.