MANILA, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may now worry less about global shipping prices this holiday season because the Bureau of Customs (BOC) still extends privileges to exempt duty and taxes in sending home balikbayan boxes. In 2020, the BOC released its amended general provisions for the consolidated shipment of duty and tax-free balikbayan boxes, under Republic Act No 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). The agency grants the tax exemption of sending balikbayan boxes up to three times in a calendar year (the period from January 1st to December 31st of a year). However, as per BOC’s administrative order, the privilege is only limited to qualified Filipinos while abroad (QFWA). To be qualified…
