Abandoned Balikbayan boxes

Did you see the news reports about the thousands of Balikbayan Boxes sitting in the BOC warehouses, because they’d been abandoned by couriers?
In the past, those boxes would have been auctioned off, or disposed of - if they included rotting food stuff.
But things were different this time, with Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz finding a way to have those boxes cleared and delivered directly by the bureau of customs and their partners.
Aside from that, they’ve started moving forward on an accreditation process, which would give the BOC authority over balikbayan shipping companies - to prevent this from happening again in the future.
You’ll also hear the Commissioner talk about the legal cases they’ve filed against at least two of the companies that were involved in the abandonment of the balikbayan boxes, after already taking the money from their customers.
This ongoing issue with the balikbayan boxes was brought up by commenters on my previous video, when we interviewed the BOC about ordering from Amazon during the black Friday sale. That’s why I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some answers and share them with everyone.
When I joined one of the BOC partners, during their deliveries of balikbayan boxes, they were delivering abandoned boxes and regular balikbayan boxes at the same time. The footage I included is just of one of the boxes being delivered, I cannot be sure whether it’s specifically a box that was abandoned, or just a regular delivery. But essentially the process is the same, taking it directly to the door.

[@Errr717]

It’s not often you find a bureaucrat who cares about the people he serves. Kudos to the gentleman from customs.

[@kiko69]

That gentleman never forget where he came from.God Bless him and his family!Merry Christmas!

[@rice6682]

Someone working in the govt who can truly empathize to this dire situation. Merry Christmas to the families

[@girliegirlie8922]

D po madali magpadala makaipon,tpos ganun lng binabalewala lng,tangin pag asa na makapagbabago si idol raffy tulfo.

[@tldg0921]

Thank you G.A and BOC. Filling up a balilbayan box is really a labor of love. Every item inside is from hardwork of the OFW.

[@AkoSiKingKongTV]

i feel that one bro. also an ofw here. thats why i always send my parcel trough a legit courier.

[@ciscosebanes]

Napakabuti mo Comissioner. For sure you and Gadget will be blessed and have good things coming your way.BOOM! 🤙

[@rvlyssup]

Wow...didn't think this stuff even happens. We send at least a couple of boxes per year to my wife's fam. The companies we deal with here in the USA have been sending BBs for decades. (I've lived here 41 years this Christmas) Be useful info to get the names of these shady companies so folks outside of the PI know who to avoid. This would especially be helpful for the 1st time overseas traveler. And good on the Customs officials in getting these boxes to their rightful recipients. Takes a lot of time, money, and effort to pack and send these boxes.

[@manuelmacalinao500]

What is PI?

[@rvlyssup]

@@manuelmacalinao500 Philippine Islands...

[@manuelmacalinao500]

@@rvlyssup such words don't exist don't know where you got that from its just Philippines.

[@TheKevinGeee]

@@manuelmacalinao500 A lot of Americans are misinformed and miseducated about the Philippines. They are taught that Filipinos are Pacific Islanders instead of being taught that Filipinos are Asians, specifically Southeast Asians. This is the reason why a lot of Americans call the Philippines as Philippine Islands.

[@zyrabell69]

@@manuelmacalinao500 There's no need to be pedantic by criticizing him over his spelling preferences. Perhaps he used PI as an acronym for the Philippine Islands as opposed to PH, which is the recognized abbreviation for the country. Both are correct since we don't know his intent, after all the Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands.

[@Kraken9911]

Gadget Addict doing the real journalism for the people. So my take on this is the company on the origin side is pocketing the money and not caring anymore once it reaches the Philippines and on the PH side they can't process and deliver a box because they don't have the funds to pay the BOC as well as their own expenses. Sounds to me like you need to research your shipper first and make sure their operations are on both sides of the delivery so as to avoid the excuse of "failure to send payment".

[@peterungson809]

Congratulations to BOC & their drive to Ship these balikbayan boxes. Mabuhay kayo & Merry Christmas!!!

[@joselitoalbotrasr.8728]

Thank you G.A and the gentleman from the BOC,like me an ex OFW ,have experienced how to earn in a box what items to put🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️

[@maarky3366]

Merry Christmas🎉, finally something good is happening for Christmas, they should give out the list of shippers that abandoned these balikbayan boxes, so that people would know not to use their services anymore especially if there's an ongoing case against this companies.

[@MrZman0004]

OMG! I’m about to fill up my box and almost ready to be sent out. (From California) Who are these shipping companies so we can avoid them? Are these boxes from one country only or from different countries?

[@dibbla]

Agreed, name and shame!!

[@captain_lowi]

I love these kinds of videos where you interview people.

[@caelestigladii]

I always send through an established company. It’s pricy compared to “budget freight” but that price is a guarantee that your box arrives at its destination. Never had a problem. That’s DHL by the way.

[@GadgetAddict]

Hopefully the accreditation requirement will weed out any questionable companies in the future.

[@litovelarde8253]

Tnx to the new reforms of BOC mabuhay kayo

[@joselitoalbotrasr.8728]

Ur 100% right Commisioner,yr.'78 iam already in the míddle east and sending balikbayan boxes are so very hard to get in customs not like today door to door delivery🤗🤗🤗

[@quickzilver333]

Too many thieves at LBC Balik Bayan Box. We have two boxes opened and items stolen. When we made a complaint here in the US and Philippines. They just point fingers at each other without any resolve.

[@verdeearciaga7263]

I hope that DMW & BOC published the names of these delinquent cargo forwarding companies so that OFW's will know & avoid sending through these companies in the future. Thank you.

[@blip-hn6is]

I just hope this administration focus on BOC, fix their image from the most corrupt to most efficient

[@karenk3593]

Nice reporting. Thank you.

[@britishbicolano3252]

That guys a real gentleman..Merry Christmas to u and ur family

[@britishbicolano3252]

B.O.C..Thank u...Hope this never happens again

[@LynnLavarias9408]

That’s a really good news for all those receivers!

[@GadgetAddict]

Yeah, I can't imagine how frustrated and sad you'd feel if your box was suddenly forced into an auction.

[@marconifpv508]

I've just had 6 B/B arrive via LBC. Very late due to shipping delays but I trust them due to their PH presence, and they are insured. I feel bad for those that lose them, especially when they contain Christmas gifts 😞

[@GadgetAddict]

Yeah it would be pretty heartbreaking, if they're lost or forced to be auctioned. They're lucky that BOC decided to take on the burden this time. Hopefully the accreditation process will prevent this from happening again.

[@peterungson809]

Have an internationally accepted QR Code issued to each balikbayan box. Then come up with a tracking system so both shipper & recipient can track their box. I think this can be done if all parties involved come together. BOC chief is right, shippers must be accredited. Senders too should used tried & tested shippers & not patronize new ones without track record. Minsan kasi attracted sila sa cheaper rate only to waste hundreds of dollars worth of goods kasi nga hindi Naka rating or improperly shipped by inexperienced companies. Ingat po

[@lflor1601]

ofw sya sa japan dati and dun palang malalaman mo yung dahilan bat nya ginawa yan, nice one sir

[@nwonknuytitne7588]

My father paid twice in order for the package to be delivered on our doorstep. These courier service providers should be shut down, be put on the blacklist and filed a case against them.

[@hanrysoul]

This is the fist time I've seen your face behind that relaxing voice of yours 😂

[@tinesdof5837]

SANSU freight services in NYC did that to my b/b boxes and a friend sent 8 b/b boxes not telling anybody that they are going out of business. We never recover these boxes.

[@GadgetAddict]

Wow that's awful :( I guess that's why the accreditation requirement is a good move for the BOC, going forward.

[@zenliffe]

@@GadgetAddict Hi Sir, Can you please also investigate this Cargo shipping. here in New Jersey. I send 1 box in October 29 and until now my family didn't received yet my box and according to the shipping company, it's already in BOC for clearance. This is the name of the company NJJR Express Company. How come they delayed to deliver and we paid the exact amount they want. I think I'm not only the one who complain regarding this matter. Belated Merry Christmas and Advance Happy New Year,

[@megasyxx]

Gadget Addict to SMNI News!!!!!

[@reynaldoflores4522]

Always go with trusted, reliable carriers. Like FedEx and DHL.

[@GadgetAddict]

I guess a lot of people just look for more affordable options. Especially with the large and heavy balikbayan boxes.

[@JoCal]

The best move from BOC

[@silvered5257]

Thank you PBBM and to you sir from custom👍 and to you sir gadget addict😊

[@michaeljakeusman]

sana yung "tumana in marikina" ma videohan din

[@bochog7587]

Just send remittances and let the family there buy stuff they wanted

[@GadgetAddict]

Often the items are much cheaper outside of the PH though. And there's a lot of items you can't get inside the PH. Although it's a bit easier nowadays, with Amazon, Lazada, Shopee and so on.

[@edisonkwong5599]

Merry Christmas !

[@DriftSpeedPH]

Awesome 👍

[@ron4592]

😩I wish for 5-star reviews online. Therefore, customers will not be disappointed

[@JuanCarlos-er9pk]

galing naman

[@Rikrok59]

❤What a wonderful Christmas story 🎅🎄

[@my66k]

Well Done!!!

[@Tim_281]

WOW that is so wonderful 🥰

[@retiredcryptohunter9031]

That’s a great thing they’re doing

[@mikmaks7393]

Those are abandoned because of the tax. Those who will claim them found out the tax is so much that it's almost or more than the price of the package itself. So instead of claiming them, they just abandon them. That's the problem here.

[@GadgetAddict]

Nope, that's not the situation with these boxes. They've already been paid in the originating country. The problem is when the consolidator doesn't pass a share of the money through to their partner deconsolidator in the PH.

[@Boypogikami132]

very emotional

[@ianendangan7462]

Even with Lazada, the people who will deliver would just message you that you can't be contacted. My phone never registered missed calls. So when they failed deliver the second time I've contacted why they delivered with flash express ph when they LAZADA has their own delivery people. What I did is I found their warehouse and got my order. They reason out that they lost people due to resignations. I don't believe it it's more probably they avoid far places.

[@GadgetAddict]

Lazada has certainly been getting worse and worse. I regularly have orders that are marked as delivered, with fake delivery photos attached to the order. Sometimes they deliver it a day or two later. Sometimes they just don't deliver it at all. Lazada are terrible at giving refunds too. It seems like they sometimes just close the complaint and refuse to reply anymore 🤷‍♂️

[@ron4592]

We need to take company reviews online.

[@OutdoorWeekend]

Good… !! Merry Christmas ❤️🌴🍂 stay strong.

[@jenylacaden8467]

Kmi pong mga ofw d2 sa oman mhigit 100 box po ang nawawla kabayan cargo po kmi nag padala hangan ngaun poh dpa poh natatangap ng mga pamila nmin sna po ay ma2longan nin u poh kmi

[@franciscordillo1229]

Govt should put those boxes in auction, or maybe start a tvseries storage wars "balikbayan boxes version."

[@GadgetAddict]

That's what would have happened before. But that's really bad news for those who spent so much time and money, to fill the box. And a very miserable Christmas for the intended recipient. But hopefully BOC can at least prevent this from happening again, once they start accrediting those involved in the balikbayan box business.

[@alanhughes1262]

all sort a things inside from used tools to tins of corned beef bit s of steel it helps the Philippines economy in a different way .those family's receiving these goods improve there houses heath generating less government hand outs to the poor less crime etc.

[@narwinmerluza9906]

February na, ano na update?

[@Alibadbad]

Where to send complaint on LTO ?

[@GadgetAddict]

You could use the LTO Citisend app.

[@-Vicente]

So this is how gadget addict looked like 😆

[@mikropono]

Can they sue the shipper for abandonment on behalf of all the OFWs I'm an OFW, I trusted the company to deliver my balikabayan box, then what happened?

[@GadgetAddict]

They already filed cases against two companies and I believe they're going to file more in the near future.

[@GadgetAddict]

Plus, as explained in the video they'll also be implementing an accreditation process, so hopefully that will weed out these questionable shipping companies in the future.

[@iTzMonPH]

Finally face reveal 😄🙌

[@conyo985]

He has older videos showing his face.

[@robertkustos2931]

There's a video showing MMDA towing Gadget Addict's car for illegal parking . Only joking 😆......... Merry Christmas 🎄 everyone 🎅

[@shellamariepalis3949]

❤️

[@ericalba2019]

Finally...

[@Jvhighlights432]

thats boxes some of them items is expired because of too long not be delivered 😢

[@GadgetAddict]

Yeah that's the problem with food items, maybe a lot of them went bad already :( But hopefully everything else is still okay.

[@Jvhighlights432]

thanks keep going bro merry christmas i hope i see you someday when i going back home shoutout From USA 🇺🇸 maryland

[@joselitoalbotrasr.8728]

Experienced the best airfreighter SKYFREIGHT,how many years Ived been in KSA they are the one i always use.

[@goryobanua5855]

Whos paying for these and how much?

[@reyong4217]

Whoever owns that company, must pay back to the individuals and the entire amount of goods in the box! What a selfish human being!

[@UndaAryen]

Good evening po my nkarating po n box this year 2023nobember po how I can I get po...

[@mylesmcay9012]

I sent two balikbayan boxes (from canada to mindanao) few months ago....4 months dumating ng mindanao kaya lang kalahati nalang ang laman ninakaw na mga hinayupak :(

[@yvesyves1960]

other workers checked the box and if they want the items they will steal it !!! happens all the time !

[@GadgetAddict]

That's with the courier? I've seen the BOC inspection area and it's covered with cameras and security. It would be near impossible to steal something nowadays.

[@VatchGaming]

abandoned ba or di nila ma claim kasi mahal

[@jamindevera1]

From Gadget Addict: They've already been paid in the originating country. The problem is when the consolidator doesn't pass a share of the money through to their partner deconsolidator in the PH

[@lolitamejia8929]

Yung sakin 7mons na d parin naididliver wqla nrin kontak sa company na pinadalhan ko pinoy ofw cargo sana maidilver na

[@HONDALUIGI21]

Mine was stuck in customs for 3 months

[@jazgara]

All win courier no win

[@MediumRare_]

You don't do that for the review, you don't even do that because the president said so, you do that because the balikbayan boxes were meant for the families of the OFW.

[@GadgetAddict]

Yeah but if he followed the standard BOC process, those boxes would all be auctioned off. As they have been, countless times in the past. But he's relatively new to the position and he was able to find an alternative solution for now. Obviously the BOC can't take on that burden and any costs forever. That's why the reforms and accreditation process are important.

[@jenylacaden8467]

Kabayan cargo is number 1 scamer of boxes of ofw here in oman

[@GadgetAddict]

You should definitely send your complaint to the BOC. Now is the perfect time since they're starting the accreditation process.

[@saibea5t523]

pa subasta nyo na yan mala storage wars

[@SIDEKICKONYOUTUBE]

dami kasi anomalya. hindi i release kung hindi ka bibigay

[@clicker125]

skyfreight lang ang pagkatiwalaan nyu

[@medinam420]

Tinapon kasi walang laman ninakaw ng hudyo

[@alwaysturnonaircon]

Can you imagine if hindi d30/marcos dumaang politiko? Wala na mga to

[@compromoistkatatayvlogs2524]

It's definitely a good thing but isn't it their fault for not regulating all these boxes and it's deliveries? BOC is just a bunch of thieves. Their making it sound like we should thank them for delivering these boxes that they should regulate? We should put these guys on trial not hail them as saviors.

[@GadgetAddict]

BOC is responsible for customs duties and taxes, ensuring only safe and legal items enter the country etc etc. They're not responsible for ensuring couriers don't rip off their customers 🤷 But saying that, as you heard in the video, BOC will pass a memorandum which will require deconsolidators to be accredited under them. That would finally give BOC some authority and power over those companies that want to be in the balikbayan box industry.

[@manuelmacalinao500]

Sa libo libong packages dumarating araw araw sa totoo lang napakahirap icheck lahat ng boxes for illegal items kaya din natatagalan.. Ilan lang ba empleyado ng customs para icheck ang millions of packages na dumarating every year. Im sure maraming packages pinapalusot nalang kasi near impossible kung xray mo lahat unless 24/7 running ang customs

[@gingaruiz3158]

Heres an idea try to open the countainers And you find something VALUABLE

[@GadgetAddict]

The containers and boxes go through various checks, security procedures, etc. So they are being verified and checked.

[@gingaruiz3158]

I see

[@jbmelmax6956]

As customs steals my $1000 Christmas present.🤬

[@GadgetAddict]

How did they steal it?

[@ptrs559]

You are making an unsubstantiated charge.

[@bertvillon1435]

im not an ofw but i do send boxes to ph...i would be super angry if a box i ifllrd for frienddshappened like this i would never dddddsend another box againi oftenuse lbc, whatss the situation with lbc are they in goo dstanding?

[@GadgetAddict]

I think you have no worries with LBC. It's expensive but they're legit and have branches all over the PH.

[@rommelatienza8295]

@Gadget Addict good evening, hope u can help to get my balikbayan box its been a year now this december, ive been waiting for a long time, hope you can help me, thank u and merry Christmas

[@GadgetAddict]

Did your box come from the middle east? Have you tried their hotline? Because their one stop shop should be able to give you an update on your box

[@rommelatienza8295]

@@GadgetAddict yes from dubai UAE, they are not answering my call, were communicating only thru watsapp, they also said still under custom clearance, i send it thru CMG cargo in dubai. Im following it up since March when i got home for good, they are changing the month on their reply. Good day. We are still in the process for Final approval to release and deliver hopefully within this December. We will keep you posted once we had the approval. Thank you