Sending a balikbayan box? Go through accredited providers, says DTI

 

As the holidays draw closer, overseas Filipino workers sending balikbayan boxes with goodies to their families in the Philippines were reminded to steer clear of bogus forwarders.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry said it has received more than 100 complaints of lost balikbayan boxes in the first nine months of 2014, GMA News' Susan Enriquez reported on Saksi.

 

From January to September 2014, the DTI said it has received 124 complaints of lost boxes—slightly fewer than the 149 received throughout 2013.

 

In some cases, families of OFWs based in Hong Kong would receive their packages in one month instead of two weeks—and they could consider themselves lucky.

 

The DTI has a list of 617 accredited forwarders posted on its website. As of Thursday, the list was last updated September 30.

 

 

Tips for OFWs

 

The DTI suggested that OFWs sending balikbayan boxes to their families take the following steps:

 

 

DTI Undersecretary Victorio Dimagiba said a rate of $60 to $65 should likely be for companies with promotions. But companies offering half that rate could be a potential scam, he said.

 

Also, the DTI urged OFWs and their families to contact it via landline at (02) 751-3330 or mobile phone at 0917-8343330 for complaints. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News