Balikbayan boxes intercepted by Bureau of Customs over suspected contraband. BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

Balikbayan boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE and abroad may now take up to 90 days to reach their recipients in the Philippines, following stricter inspection procedures by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) after a string of major drug busts. The new directive requires every balikbayan box to be individually unloaded and X-rayed, replacing the previous practice of scanning entire shipping containers at once. Customs officials said the measure is necessary after smugglers repeatedly attempted to use balikbayan boxes to conceal narcotics. Among the most recent incidents was the seizure of 39.3 kilograms of synthetic drug Kush, valued at ₱55 million, hidden under sacks of rice in balikbayan boxes from California. Earlier this month, 70 kilograms of shabu worth ₱476 million were discovered inside three balikbayan boxes also shipped from California, concealed among canned goods, backpacks, and personal belongings. In February, authorities intercepted ₱39.6 million worth of marijuana weighing 28.3 kilograms in balikbayan shipments that arrived from Canada. A Dubai-based cargo operator told Expat Media that the new procedures are greatly extending delivery timelines. “Customs now want each balikbayan box to be screened, so can you imagine how long that will take? This is why the entire process can now take from 75 days up to 90 days, compared to a maximum of 45 days in previous years,” the operator explained. The delays are being compounded by port congestion, when ships wait for loading or unloading slots, further disrupting delivery schedules.

Why some boxes take longer: Co-loading and local forwarders

Aside from stricter inspections, the choice of cargo company also affects delivery timelines. Industry experts told Expat Media that customers who book with smaller freight forwarders often face longer delays due to co-loading. Co-loading happens when a cargo company does not have its own shipping container and instead rents space in a larger company’s container. This means boxes must wait until the main company is ready to ship, sometimes adding weeks to the timeline. Similarly, forwarders without their own warehouses and delivery networks in the Philippines often rely on local consolidators to handle distribution. This extra layer of coordination can delay the release and delivery of boxes to recipients. For faster and more reliable service, logistics experts recommend using established cargo companies with their own containers, warehouses, and delivery teams in the Philippines.

Protecting OFWs from rogue operators

To safeguard senders, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in April urged OFWs to send boxes only through trusted and well-reviewed freight forwarders. They advised verifying a company’s legitimacy through the Department of Trade and Industry–Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau website. Amid growing concerns, the BOC recently launched the Balikbayan Action Center (BAC), a dedicated office tasked with monitoring balikbayan box processing, adopting international best practices, and ensuring transparency. BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to protect the rights of OFWs. “This initiative demonstrates our firm resolve to protect the interests of overseas Filipinos. By ensuring that balikbayan boxes are treated with fairness and transparency, we honor their sacrifices and reaffirm our duty to serve them better,” Nepomuceno said. The BAC will be led by the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, with members from the Post Clearance Audit Group, Port Operations Service, and the Public Information and Assistance Division. For many OFWs, the delays are especially concerning as the holiday season approaches, when families eagerly await boxes filled with food, clothing, and gifts from loved ones abroad. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Why MSM Cargo is trusted in UAE for over a decade Unclaimed balikbayan box sold to blogger triggers mixed reactions
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