DMW warns OFWs vs. rogue ‘balikbayan’ box forwarders

“Paalala sa ating mga kababayan na siguraduhing accredited at mapagkakatiwalaan ang inyong pipiliing forwarding company para sa inyong padala (Reminder to our OFWs to make sure that the forwarding company you choose for your shipment is accredited and trustworthy),” it added. (Photo By My Balikbayan/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) warned overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families on the increasing number of “balikbayan” boxes abandoned by forwarders.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the DMW advised OFWs to always check the status of their freight forwarders as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) released a list of local and foreign forwarding companies linked to the mishandling and abandonment of the boxes containing gifts, supplies, or personal items sent to their families.

“Narito ang listahan ng mga local at foreign forwarding companies na may naitalang insidente ng pag-abandona ng balikbayan boxes. Ibinabahagi ito ng Bureau of Customs para sa kaalaman at kaligtasan ng publiko (Here is a list of local and foreign forwarding companies that have recorded incidents of abandoning balikbayan boxes. The Bureau of Customs is sharing this for the information and safety of the public),” the post reads.

“Paalala sa ating mga kababayan na siguraduhing accredited at mapagkakatiwalaan ang inyong pipiliing forwarding company para sa inyong padala (Reminder to our OFWs to make sure that the forwarding company you choose for your shipment is accredited and trustworthy),” it added.

The BOC listed the following foreign forwarders or consolidators with the most record of abandoned parcels: Kabayan Island Express Cargo, Allwin Cargo LLC, Manila Cargo, Mediacom Express Cargo, Pinoy Network Cargo WLL, GM Multi Services Cargo, Sel Air Cargo, Sky Freight, CMS General Services FZC LLC, Tag Pinas Marine Brokerage Company, Bluebridge Internation Gen, Lawin International Logistics Co L, and Rensworld Freight Logistics Corp.

For local forwarders or consolidators, the BOC listed the following: FBV Forwarders and Logistics, Inc., Cargoflex Haulers Corporation, Rensworld Freight Logistics Corporation, CMG International Movers, ETMAR International Logistics, KC Door to Door Delivery Services, FGTI Forwarding Services, MBS Cargo Mover Co., Tri Star Cargo Express Int’l Phils Inc., and J Box Express Line.

To protect themselves, the DMW urged OFWs sending balikbayan boxes to choose only trusted and well-reviewed freight forwarders, and verify the company’s legitimacy through the Department of Trade and Industry-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau website.

It urged senders of balikbayan boxes to keep records such as photos, receipts and shipping documents; create a detailed inventory of the items being shipped; maintain constant communication with the freight forwarder; and track shipments using container numbers, bills of lading and port of destination information.

While some freight forwarders may offer lower fees, the DMW warned that these can be red flags for illegitimate operations.