The Bureau of Customs has moved to accelerate the flow of balikbayan boxes entering the country, directing its personnel to prevent delays as thousands of Filipino families await holiday packages.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said he instructed district offices to ensure that shipments from overseas Filipinos reach their recipients without complications. He noted that the agency is also working through pending cargo to ease congestion, particularly for boxes meant to arrive before Christmas.
A dedicated unit, the Balikbayan Action Center, is handling every box that enters Customs facilities. The team has been tasked with monitoring the movement of these parcels and stepping in when complaints arise, including damaged packaging, slow delivery, or missing items.
According to bureau data, around 1,000 container vans arrive in the Philippines each month, carrying an estimated 460 balikbayan boxes.
