I have just read this article about Balikbayan Boxes It might be of help to some and a warning to others ?? Take care all.:D Will put the link at the bottom. Legislators are urging strict X-ray inspection of balikbayan boxes amid concerns … By Alexander Villafania QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA –A number of legislators are urging for the inclusion of X-ray inspection of balikbayan boxes amid growing concerns of smuggling of various items through the country's airports and seaports. During a public hearing, Representative Elpidio Barzaga (lone district of Dasmarinas City) said there should be more rigorous inspections of these balikbayan boxes by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), citing that these were door-to-door shipments that do not commonly undergo X-ray inspection as these are considered "consolidated shipments." Barzaga also stressed that balikbayan boxes are being used to smuggle items of varying degrees, as was done with the recently incident of "chop-chop" vehicles from the United States that were confiscated from balikbayan boxes. Parts of cars and motorcycles were found in different boxes during a raid in of the hideout of suspected vehicle smuggler Allan Lynnard Bigcas in Cagayan de Oro. The raiding team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found parts of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle allegedly stolen from a Hollywood executive. The cost of the vehicle is estimated to be approximately P3.4 million. Bigcas, who was present during the public hearing, said acquired vehicle parts and smuggled them via balikbayan boxes. This method is said to be effective form of smuggling as balikbayan boxes are not often scanned. Bigcas had earlier said that he has in his possession a "black book" that contained the aliases of certain politicians from Mindanao who have dealt with him. Representative Rodolfo Fariñas (1st district, Ilocos Norte), who is part of House Subcommitee on Customs, Tariff and Related Laws, said this system of transporting items is illegal as government taxes are not imposed properly on certain items, especially cars that are taxed differently. "That is illegal. You cannot dismantle a motor vehicle then ship it to the country in balikbayan boxes. You have to declare it as a motor vehicle and ship it to the country. No wonder the BOC has no record of this. You did not pay any taxes to the government," Fariñas exclaimed. Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials corroborated the fact that balikbayan boxes are not scanned. BOC Head for X-ray Inspection Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang explained during the public hearing that balikbayan boxes are filed under the Informal Entry Division, which is not yet covered by the BOC's Electronic Selectivity System. "There is no prohibition [in scanning balikbayan boxes]. In fact, I have been recommending that they go through the X-ray machine. Kahit man lang mag-random X-ray ng mga consolidated shipments," Mangaoang said. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district, Cagayan de Oro City) suspected that the vehicles found during the raid in Cagayan de Oro City could have been slipped through the country under the auspices of corrupt BOC officials in Misamis Oriental. Solons push X-ray inspection of balikbayan boxes - Yahoo! News
Here we go again. Someone smuggling and acting stupid, makes it harder for honest foreigners and Filipinos. Now how long will it take for a balikbayan box? Ron
I can see them x-raying b-boxes that arrive on an airplane, but scanning thousands of b-boxes in shipping containers is not going to happen any time soon.
Sense? Bounty! Words of sense BUT Who will Listen? There is NO money in Sense! If you listen to The banks (Biggest Rogues Ever) it is Money, that makes the world Go round. Honesty is a bye word only IMHO. :( Jack P.
The BB Box X-ray machines will be installed right after the Cebu to Negros causeway bridge is completed.
That might be so, but seriously doubt there 'd be sufficient budget for maintenance/repair after a day or so? Agreed, don't think we should start panicking in our lifetimes.
Maintenance? The Philippines was without a passport machine for four months this year already! The phone in Talisay Cebu police station is disconnected for non payment of bill. The list goes on..., and on... Larry
City Hall! I have it on Good Authority that, if City Hall don't pay the Electricity bill soon, the next brownout they get, will be deliberate. It makes you Wonder!:D Jack P.