The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has filed criminal complaints against Makati Express Cargo Inc. (Meci) for allegedly abandoning over 16,000 balikbayan boxes intended for recipients in Cebu, among thousands of other packages nationwide. The BOC announced the filing on Friday, May 29, 2026, targeting Meci, its company officers, and personnel for the abandonment of tens of thousands of balikbayan boxes bound for recipients across the country.
Details of the Abandoned Shipments
Records from the BOC indicate that 50 containers carrying approximately 16,431 balikbayan boxes arrived through 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). These Cebu shipments represent a significant portion of the 117 abandoned containers nationwide, which collectively held around 36,826 balikbayan boxes.
Of the total abandoned shipments, 65 containers carrying about 19,671 boxes entered through the Manila International Container Port, while two containers containing around 724 boxes arrived in Davao. The BOC stated that the abandoned shipments accumulated from 2024 to 2025 after Meci allegedly failed to process, claim, and facilitate the release of consolidated balikbayan box shipments arriving in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
Regulatory Actions and Violations
Before filing the complaints, the BOC issued a final show cause order to Meci on October 21, 2025, directing the company to process the release of overstaying shipments and settle corresponding duties, taxes, and other charges. The BOC reported that the company failed to comply with this order. Subsequently, the agency revoked Meci’s registration on January 22, 2026, citing repeated failures to lodge goods declarations and claim shipments within the prescribed period, which resulted in overstaying and abandoning cargoes.
The BOC noted that several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and intended recipients later sought assistance after their balikbayan boxes remained undelivered. The complaints filed before the Department of Justice accuse Meci and responsible company officers of violating provisions of the CMTA and customs regulations governing freight forwarders, importer accreditation, and consolidated balikbayan box shipments.
Alleged Deficiencies
The BOC also alleged that Meci misrepresented information in registration records and failed to properly disclose foreign consolidators. The company continued accepting shipments despite previous abandoned cargoes and operational deficiencies. Investigators found that some of the company’s registered business and warehouse addresses were no longer operational.
Commissioner's Statement
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting OFWs and holding accountable entities that 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.
Return Efforts and Broader Context
The BOC stated that it continues to coordinate with other government agencies to address the issue and is still delivering abandoned balikbayan boxes to rightful recipients. Cases involving abandoned and undelivered balikbayan boxes have drawn attention in Cebu in recent months, with several OFWs and their families seeking government assistance to recover shipments left in ports for extended periods.
In March, the BOC and the Department of Finance (DOF) began returning thousands of abandoned balikbayan boxes to recipients in Cebu after complaints that the packages, despite being paid for, were never delivered by freight forwarding companies. Authorities reported that at least 8,475 abandoned boxes in Cebu had been accounted for at the time, with hundreds more scheduled for delivery. The issue surfaced earlier after the BOC suspended Meci in October 2025 over alleged unpaid duties and taxes and reports of unclaimed containers in Cebu, Manila, and Davao. Customs officials said several of the company’s shipments had already been declared abandoned after overstaying in ports.
In April, the DOF reported that more than 35,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes nationwide had already been delivered, including over 14,000 boxes through the Port of Cebu. Officials also warned OFWs to transact only with legitimate and accredited cargo forwarders as investigations into delayed and abandoned shipments continue.
