The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed criminal charges against Makati Express Cargo, Inc. (MECI) and several of its officers and employees for allegedly abandoning tens of thousands of balikbayan boxes intended for various destinations across the country.
According to the BOC, over 16,000 of these boxes were meant for recipients in Cebu. The agency announced on Friday, May 29, 2026, that it had lodged complaints with the Department of Justice against the cargo firm.
Records from the BOC show that 50 containers carrying approximately 16,431 balikbayan boxes arrived at the Port of Cebu but were left unclaimed and later declared "impliedly abandoned" in favor of the government under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The Cebu shipments constitute a significant portion of the 117 abandoned containers nationwide, which contain about 36,826 balikbayan boxes. In total, 65 containers carrying around 19,671 boxes entered through the Manila International Container Port, while two containers with about 724 boxes arrived in Davao.
The BOC stated that the abandoned cargo accumulated from 2024 to 2025 after MECI allegedly failed to process, claim, and facilitate the release of consolidated balikbayan box shipments that arrived in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
Prior to filing the charges, the bureau issued a final show cause order to MECI on October 21, 2025, directing the company to process the release of the overstaying cargo and pay the appropriate taxes, customs duties, and other charges. The BOC said the company allegedly failed to comply.
The agency also suspended and later revoked MECI's registration on January 22, 2026, due to repeated failures to lodge goods declarations and claim cargo within the prescribed period, resulting in overstaying and abandonment of shipments.
According to the BOC, several Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and package recipients sought help after their balikbayan boxes remained undelivered.
The charges, filed with the Department of Justice, accuse MECI and its responsible officers of violating provisions of the CMTA and customs regulations governing freight forwarders, importer accreditation, and consolidated balikbayan box shipments.
The bureau also alleged that MECI made misrepresentations in its registrations, failed to properly disclose its foreign consolidator, and continued to accept cargo despite previous abandonments and operational deficiencies. Investigators also found that some of the company's registered business and warehouse addresses were no longer operational.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the agency remains committed to protecting OFWs and holding accountable those who fail to fulfill their obligations.
"Behind every Balikbayan Box is a family waiting for a piece of home from their loved ones abroad. These boxes represent years of hard work and sacrifice. The BOC will pursue accountability and ensure that those responsible for their abandonment and non-delivery answer for their actions," Nepomuceno said.
The BOC revealed that it continues to coordinate with other government agencies to resolve the issue and is currently delivering the abandoned balikbayan boxes to their intended recipients.
