The new policy regarding the strict rules of sending the Balikbayan boxes to the Philippines affects a lot of Filipinos abroad.

Since 1st August 2017, the new policy that has been implemented by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has caused lots of buzz in the media and within the Filipino communities abroad.

I also received few queries about it from fellow Filipinos here in the UK and other parts of the world.

Sending Balikbayan boxes to our families in the Philippines has been a part of the Filipino modern tradition.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and the Resident Filipinos abroad are working hard and saving up to fill up these precious balikbayan boxes.

What are the “Balikbayan boxes”?

For those who are not familiar with this term, these are the boxes that Filipinos are sending to their families in the Philippines filled with toys, clothing, appliances, groceries etc.

The Balikbayan boxes come in various sizes depending on your preference and budget.

Filipinos who work and live abroad, typically fill the Balikbayan boxes throughout the year and send it to their family few months before the Christmas season or on several occasions in a year.

What are these new policies about sending Balikbayan boxes:

The new policy primarily aims to tackle the illegal importation (smuggling) of imported goods in the Philippines. The tax will also be a new source of revenue for the government public funds.

What do I have to do?

You can still carry-on and send your balikbayan boxes as usual. However, there are few things that you should make note of. 

Based on the new policy, valuable new items (e.g. gadgets, jewellery, appliances, watches etc.) that are sent thru the Balikbayan box should need to be declared and supported with a receipt.

The used items, groceries and less valuable new items (e.g everyday clothing, toiletries, chocolates etc.) is not required to have a receipt when sent thru the balikbayan box but you have to list them on the declaration form.

Upon sending the Balikbayan box, the sender is required to fill up the declaration form that is provided by the Bureau of Customs.

This will be submitted together with the receipt/s to the Cargo companies that will transport the Balikbayan boxes to the Philippines.

The declaration list and the receipts will be the basis of the duty and import tax that you have to pay when the items arrive in the Philippines.

What are the exemptions and limitations?

Everyone is still allowed to send a balikbayan box to the Philippines.

However, the balikbayan box that won’t qualify for the exemptions and limitations will be subject to duty and import tax.

The Bureau of Customs set some special arrangements for the Qualified Filipinos While Abroad.

The Qualified Filipinos While Abroad (QFWA) are the OFWs, Non-resident Filipinos abroad who established a Permanent residency overseas but retained their Filipino Citizenship (Dual Citizen), and the Filipino Citizen who acquired a temporary visa to stay abroad (e.g. students, business visa etc.)

The QFWA are entitled to get a possible duty and tax exemption once all the necessary requirements are met. Failure to comply with the necessary documentations, the QFWA will have to pay the duty and importation tax

Requirements

• A copy of the Philippine passport
• If dual citizen without a Philippine passport, a copy of their Oath of Allegiance provided by the embassy during their Re-acquisition of the Philippine citizenship.
• The Information sheet (declaration list) from the BOC (link provided above)
• Receipt of the valuable items, if required.

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