FYI: New law in sending Balikbayan Boxes

[raynaputi]

Starting 1st August, the new law in sending balikbayan boxes will be implemented by the Philippine Bureau of Customs. Take note that this will affect all non-Filipinos sending balikbayan boxes to loved ones, i.e. bf/gf or friends. You are not allowed to do that starting on that date. Only Filipinos will be allowed to send only to relatives and the senders need to provide passport details to make sure they are Filipinos. Under the new law, the privilege of getting tax free balikbayan box for up to PHP 150,000 is only for Filipinos working & living overseas. Otherwise, you have to pay duties & taxes. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/150...x-free-p150000

Read more from here: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/...n-boxes/story/

[Trefor]

We sent one last week, it will get there after 1st August. Hopefully it doesn't get blocked.

I suspect this law will cause no end of delays in the port. Possibly to a point where it is scrapped.

[Steve.r]

How does that affect non Filipino husbands sending to their wives and children Rayna?

[raynaputi]

How does that affect non Filipino husbands sending to their wives and children Rayna?

That's what I'm not really sure. Because they are saying that free duties & taxes in balikbayan boxes is just a privilege for Filipinos living and working overseas. Like in flights, OFWs are free of taxes (well they have to claim back the money they paid booking the flights from immigration or customs at the airport).

[bigmarco]

Interesting we have 2 in transit that will arrive after 1st August. Here's hoping that because they were shipped before this date they'll be ok.
Clearly boxes from non filipinos will be subject to tax

[Tawi2]

Racist

[johncar54]

How does that affect non Filipino husbands sending to their wives and children?

Just an idea.

If the non-Filipino spouse has a copy of their Filipino spouse’s passport, to accompany the box, then surely the box could appear to have been sent by the Filipino.

[Steve.r]

Just an idea.

If the non-Filipino spouse has a copy of their Filipino spouse’s passport, to accompany the box, then surely the box could appear to have been sent by the Filipino.

Oh John, are you suggesting we break the law




good idea btw

[Tawi2]

I thought that,as soon as I saw johns post I thought...............Fraud Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[raynaputi]

[raynaputi]

New balikbayan information sheet: http://customs.gov.ph/wp-content/upl...tion-Sheet.pdf

For non-qualified Filipino senders (meaning British citizens), it'll be tax free if the declared amount of items is not more than PHP 10,000, which is what they call De Minimis Value in the form above (good luck keeping it that way ).

[Michael Parnham]

New balikbayan information sheet: http://customs.gov.ph/wp-content/upl...tion-Sheet.pdf

For non-qualified Filipino senders (meaning British citizens), it'll be tax free if the declared amount of items is not more than PHP 10,000, which is what they call De Minimis Value in the form above (good luck keeping it that way ).

Thank you Rayna.

[fred]

"Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will no longer have to submit a proof of purchase for items inside balikbayan boxes sent to the Philippines, as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday said it suspended such guidelines for the meantime.
In a statement, the BOC said it suspended both Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016 and Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 04-2017 until March 31, 2018.
"The BOC has temporarily suspended the guidelines in the implementation of the duty and tax-free privilege of consolidated balikbayan boxes, following the upsurge of criticisms among overseas Filipino workers," it said.
Under both CAO 05-2016 and CMO 04-2017, Filipino citizens who send balikbayan boxes to the Philippines are required to submit a photocopy of their Philippine passport to avail of the government's tax exemption.
They are also required to provide a copy of the invoice, receipt, or proof of payments of the goods contained in the balikbayan box.
Previously, such requirements were not needed for OFWs to qualify for the tax exemption, as long as shipments did not exceed a value of P150,000.
"Although it is our duty to facilitate customs clearance of balikbayan boxes, we cannot set aside the sentiments of our fellow Filipinos abroad," Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said.
"With the suspension of the current procedure on balikbayan box, the previous regulation will be enforced," he added. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News"

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/..._campaign=news

[fred]

"Although it is our duty to facilitate customs clearance of balikbayan boxes, we cannot set aside the sentiments of our fellow Filipinos abroad," Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña said.
"With the suspension of the current procedure on balikbayan box, the previous regulation will be enforced," he added. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News"

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/..._campaign=news

[grahamw48]

Thanks for the updates Fred.

I definitely will only be putting stuff in mine that is not high value, and that is easily replaceable. Who knows how they may decide to change the rules again, while your box is sailing on the high seas.

Then again, I do have a colour photocopy of my wife's passport.

[fred]

From local news here,the corrupt to the bone customs have enough on their plates with senate inquiries without worrying about upsetting balikbayans and OFW`s!

[grahamw48]

Fair comment.