The Bureau of Customs (BoC) advised Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to choose a cargo forwarder when sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines.

In a public briefing on Wednesday, August 16, Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said that the available cargo forwarder can be seen on the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) website.

"Pakitingnan ang DTI website o kaya mag-exercise ng extraordinary diligence sa pagpili ng consolidator o ng mga forwarders kung saan pinagdadalhan ‘to. Piliin natin yung meron nang sapat na reputasyon, karanasan, at makikita naman sa DTI ang list ng mga accredited consolidators," said Maronilla.

Maronilla told the public to coordinate with Pinoys abroad and OFWs on Door-to-Door Consolidators of the Philippines (DDCAP) to get shipment ratings.

"Meron din silang sariling pagbabantay sa kani-kanilang miyembro para maiwasan natin ang issues sa pagpapadala ng balikbayan boxes na maloloko at hindi mapapadala sa ating mga mahal sa buhay," he added.

In 2022, balikbayan boxes made headlines after a forwarder abandoned a balikbayan box in BOC and it wasn't received by the recipient.