BOC warns against misdeclaring items in tax-free balikbayan boxes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has warned unscrupulous people not to give in to the temptation of misdeclaring goods in their shipments to avail themselves of the tax-exemption accorded to balikbayan boxes.

It said such acts have matching criminal charges.

On Saturday, the BOC issued Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016 or the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Section 800 (g) of the Customs and Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) that covers balikbayan boxes.

Under the rule, balikbayan boxes containing valued P150,000 and below are exempted from taxes starting December 25 this year.

In a press conference on Tuesday, CMTA IRR Project Manager Althea Acas said balikbayan boxes should contain only personal and household effects and not of commercial quantity intended for sale.

“Pag nagsinungaling po tayo doon pwede po tayo kasuhan. Nananawagan po tayo sa ating mga kababayan na ‘wag abusuhin 'yung prebilehiyo kasi kawawa naman 'yung iba na sumusunod sa batas,” Acas noted.

“Bawal ‘yung mga commercial quantities, halimbawa limang sabon pwede po pero limang laptop hindi pwede. Gamitin po natin 'yung sentido komon natin. Kung sa tingin niyo dinadaya niyo ang gobyerno malamang ay nandadaya kayo,” she added.

The recipients of balikbayan boxes must at least be a first cousin of the sender, Acas noted.

She also warned local freight forwarders that they face the prospect of getting suspended and black listed if found to have acted in connivance with those who have misdeclared the contents of balikbayan boxes. — VS, GMA News