Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno clarified on Wednesday that all balikbayan boxes covering shipments from 2025 to 2026 have already been released and successfully turned over to their respective owners.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the BOC has completed its mandate in facilitating the processing and release of the packages, stressing that there were no lapses on the part of the agency regarding the delays experienced by recipients.
“Na-release na lahat ng balikbayan boxes. Na-turnover na ito sa mga owners. Ang Bureau of Customs ay nag-comply sa proseso at nag-ayos sa mga kinakailangang hakbang,” Nepomuceno said.
According to the BOC chief, the delays in delivery were primarily caused by issues on the side of the courier companies responsible for transporting and distributing the boxes to their final destinations.
Based on the briefer released to the media, as of April 8, 2026, a total of 35,549 out of 42,063 abandoned balikbayan boxes nationwide from the Manila International Container Port (MICP), Port of Cebu, Port of Davao, Port of Subic, and Port of Manila have been successfully delivered to their ultimate consignees nationwide, representing an overall completion rate of 85%.
The Port of Manila and the Port of Davao have both achieved full completion, with 100% of their respective 70 and 732 boxes delivered.
Meanwhile, the Port of Cebu has reached a 98% delivery rate with 13,998 boxes delivered, and the Port of Subic has achieved 96% with 2,699 boxes delivered.
The MICP has completed 75% of its deliveries, accounting for 18,050 boxes.
He reiterated that the BOC has taken steps to ensure smoother processing and prevent further backlogs.
Nepomuceno said to prevent delays in the delivery of balikbayan boxes in the future, BOC will be requiring accreditation to courier companies.
“Nakita namin na kailangan pa naming higpitan ang accreditation sa BOC kasi walang accreditation dati,” he said in an interview.
He also said that the majority of balikbayan boxes that encounter problems are those coming from the Middle East.
The agency also assured the public that it continues to coordinate with logistics partners to improve turnaround times and uphold efficient service for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
Nepomuceno reaffirmed the BOC’s commitment to accountability and service, noting that reforms are ongoing to streamline cargo handling and strengthen monitoring systems within the bureau.
According to BOC, the balikbayan box problem arises when foreign freight consolidators offer very low rates and fast door-to-door delivery but fail to pay shipping, port, and handling fees in the Philippines, while their local partners receive no funds for release or delivery leaving thousands of fully paid boxes unprocessed and eventually abandoned.
The BOC said that in response to growing public concern and the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it launched humanitarian efforts to release and deliver abandoned balikbayan boxes.
