Physical Inspection of Balikbayan Boxes Banned
MANILA: In a new memorandum, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has banned the random physical inspection of balikbayan boxes.
The revised rules and regulations regarding the import of balikbayan boxes from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) state that the boxes will undergo mandatory x-ray scanning instead, Philippine Star reported.
Boxes tagged “suspect” after x-ray scanning will be examined physically by a Customs examiner in the presence of the apprehending officers, representatives of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and a designated officer of an OFW association, the report said.
The BOC will also acquire K-9 units and install CCTVs in all authorized inspection and examination areas, according to the memo.
The said order reportedly seeks “to contribute to the enforcement efforts in suppressing unscrupulous individuals using the balikbayan boxes privilege to smuggle goods”.
The new memo applies to all non-commercial inbound consolidated shipments of OFWs and for returning OFWs, as provided under the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered the BOC to stop conducting random physical inspections of balikbayan boxes, Philippine Star reported.