Free delivery of balikbayan boxes begins

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December 19, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered the release and delivery of over 130,000 balikbayan boxes that have been abandoned or unclaimed for almost two years.

Duties and taxes have been waived by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Port operators agreed to forgo charges.

As for trucking and delivery expenses, Finance Secretary Frederick Go approved the release of P30 million.

“Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) do not need to spend a single peso because the President has allowed the release of funds. He wants balikbayan boxes to be released in time for Christmas,” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said yesterday.

Some OFWs and their families yesterday witnessed the release of balikbayan boxes at the Port of Manila.

The BOC is targeting the completion of deliveries by Jan. 6, 2026.

Around 144 shipping containers were filled with boxes that had been abandoned at the port for eight months to two years, Nepomuceno said.