The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is accelerating the processing of 21 additional container vans filled with abandoned “balikbayan” boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with deliveries to families nationwide expected to continue into early 2026.
In a social media update, the BOC reported that 15 containers of these long-delayed shipments have already been released and are being distributed door-to-door free of charge. The latest batch of 21 containers is scheduled for pullout and processing this week, part of a larger effort to clear an estimated backlog of up to 130,000 balikbayan boxes that had been left stranded at ports.
The delays stemmed from certain deconsolidators and freight forwarders failing to fulfill their obligations, including payment of required fees, despite having collected charges from OFWs abroad. On December 4, BOC officials accompanied affected workers in filing complaints with the National Bureau of Investigation against those responsible.
The initiative follows directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has expressed strong support for resolving the issue and ensuring assistance to Filipino workers overseas victimized by fraudulent or negligent forwarding companies. Delivery operations officially began on December 18, timed to coincide with the holiday season, though officials have cautioned that the full process may extend beyond Christmas due to the volume of shipments and peak-season logistics.
To enhance transparency, the BOC has launched an online tracking portal accessible at https://customs.gov.ph/home/overseas-filipino-worker-ofw/, where senders and recipients can check the status of their balikbayan boxes.
The agency urged OFWs to exercise caution when selecting freight forwarders, recommending verification of company legitimacy and avoidance of suspiciously low-fee offers that often signal potential fraud.
Balikbayan boxes — large cartons typically packed with clothing, shoes, food items, and other goods — represent a cherished tradition of support from Filipinos working abroad to their families back home. The current effort marks a significant government intervention to address years of complaints over undelivered or abandoned shipments.
