PSB Blacklists Balikbayan Box Forwarders

By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO

MANILA, Philippines --- The accreditations of 23 freight forwarding companies were revoked by the Philippine Shippers' Bureau for committing violations in the shipment of balikbayan boxes.

In yesterday's media forum held at the Bureau of Customs, Victorio Dimagiba, PSB director, said these forwarding companies got a taste of the government's crackdown against fly-by-night firms.

“This is one way to change the paradigm and address the problem on balikbayan boxes. We blacklist them,” said Dimagiba.

The revocation of the firms' accreditation came on the heels of mounting complaints from overseas Filipino workers, who were either duped or paid additional charges for their packages, or whose balikbayan boxes never reached destinations.

Among companies in the PSB blacklist are 2GO Express Inc., Aerosend, Alas Cargo Philippines, Associated Consolidation Express, Dausan International Forwarde, FACF Parcel Delivery, R&M Cargo Services, VCG Customs Brokerage, and Manila Broker.

Also revoked were the accreditations of D' Winner Logistics Philippines, Inc., LCSN Express Movers, Inc., Transtech Global Philippines, Inc., Wide-Wide World Express Corp., and MC Plus, Inc..

Dimagiba said the OFWs and their consignees in the Philippines should not deal with these freight forwarding companies, including those cargo consolidators abroad.

 “The unaccredited companies were issued formal charges by the Department of Trade and Industry-PSB while those accredited were issued Show Cause Orders,” he said.

As to the erring cargo consolidators, the PSB issued notice to OFWS for reports of undelivered balikbayan boxes.

These were the principal consolidators operating in the United Arab Emirates, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ireland, and other countries like Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

Among these are Cityline Cargo, Aerosend, Maru Cargo Logistics, SCRL Cargo, Trico International, Dausan International Forwarder, Smooth Express, Shipping Express, Al Rodah Marine Cargo, North and South Express Cargo, Hagibis Express Pte. Ltd.

The use of mail fraud schemes is multiplying rapidly either through mail or the internet even as the BOC has launched a crackdown against the perpetrators of this scam.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the bureau never sends letters of notice about packages from abroad and duties to be paid by individuals.

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