BOC Eases Requirements for Sending Duty-Free, Tax-Free Balikbayan Boxes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced that it will ease documentary requirements for OFWs who wish to avail of the duty-free and tax-free privilege in sending balikbayan boxes.

Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18- 2018 superseded CMO No. 04-2017, which sets the rules on availment of the privilege by qualified Filipinos on their consolidated shipment of balikbayan boxes.

Under the order, the BOC said instead of the mandatory copy of Philippine passport, it will now accept other documents to show proof of Filipino citizenship. These documents include:
– Photocopy of pertinent page of the Philippine passport with personal information, picture and signature, or in case of dual Filipino citizenship without Philippine passport, photocopy of foreign passport with personal information, picture and signature plus copy of proof of dual Filipino citizenship;
– Permanent resident ID or equivalent document in other countries;
– Overseas Employment Certificate/OWWA Card;
– Work permit;
– Unified Government ID issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and
– Any other equivalent document except birth certificate.

The BOC noted that qualified Filipinos availing of the PHP150,000 duty and tax-free privilege are not required to submit the commercial invoices of the goods contained in the balikbayan box, saying that invoices are to be submitted only if it is available.

OFWs qualified to avail of the privilege include:
– Holders of valid passports issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and certified by the DOLE or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for overseas employment purposes regardless of the profession;
– Non-resident Filipinos who have established permanent residency abroad but retained their Filipino citizenship; and
– Resident Filipino citizens who temporarily stayed abroad, which may include holders of student visa, investors’ visa, tourist visa and similar visas that allow them to establish temporary stay abroad.

Photo credit: The Market Monitor

(Source: filipinotimes.net)