THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is calling on all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families to claim the 294 remaining balikbayan boxes currently in BOC custody.
These boxes, identified with Bill of Lading numbers ONEYKW1TA1994400, ONEYKW1TA1968500, ONEYKW1TA1998800 and consigned to Mediacom Express Cargo and Pinoy Network Cargo WLL, arrived in the Philippines from Kuwait on February 12, 2023.
Unfortunately, they were abandoned by the forwarder after collecting payments from abroad, leaving our OFWs and their families without their hard-earned balikbayan boxes.
Of these abandoned balikbayan boxes, the BOC has already facilitated the release and distribution of over 450 balikbayan boxes, bringing the total number of successfully distributed boxes to 10,084. However, approximately 294 boxes remain unclaimed. These boxes are currently stored at Port Net Logistics, Inc. CFS Warehouse, located at 2657 Old Panaderos St, Santa Ana, Manila, 1009 Metro Manila.
The list of unclaimed balikbayan boxes can be viewed on the BOC website at https://customs.gov.ph/notice-to-claim-abandoned-balikbayan-boxes-consigned-to-mediacom-express-cargo-and-pinoy-network-cargo/.
To claim their boxes, recipients must present the following documents at the Port Net Logistics, Inc. CFS Warehouse:
1. Passport of the sender (original or photocopy)
2. One valid government-issued ID (original and photocopy)
3. Proof of shipping such as invoice or bill of lading (original and photocopy)
If claiming on behalf of someone else or as a representative, please provide the following additional requirements:
1. Notarized authorization letter or special power of attorney
2. Valid ID of the representative
For inquiries, please contact the Bureau of Customs through its hotline number (02) 8705-6000 or via email at boc.cares@customs.gov.ph.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio urges the recipients’ cooperation in reuniting the balikbayan boxes with their rightful owners. “Let us work together to ensure that these balikbayan boxes, filled with memories and valuable items, reach their intended recipients,” said Commissioner Rubio.
