P2 million escrow, fines eyed over balikbayan boxes

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is seeking to impose a mandatory deposit of at least P2 million in an escrow account of cargo deconsolidators alongside hefty fines for delivery failures, in order to safeguard balikbayan boxes sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Under the draft customs administrative order, deconsolidators accredited with other government agencies and who wish to conduct business with the agency shall apply for registration.

To guarantee compliance, the deconsolidator and agency should open an escrow account with a BOC-nominated trust bank, with a required deposit of about P2 million and an additional P500,000 for each consolidator in each country of operation.

Unregistered entities operating as deconsolidators face a P300,000 fine for the first offense and blacklisting for the second.

Forwarders that fail to process, clear or deliver balikbayan boxes to ultimate consignees without a valid justification will face immediate suspension until reactivated by Customs.