DFA ADVISES BALIKBAYANS, RETURNING OFWs ON NEW CUSTOMS COLLECTION SCHEME; STRICTER BAGGAGE INSPECTION AND TAXATION PART OF REVENUE MAXIMIZATION PROGRAM

29 June 2005 — The Department of Foreign Affairs advises returning Filipinos or balikbayan of the new customs inspection and revenue collection program being implemented by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) of the Department of Finance.

Earlier, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) commenced on 01 May 2005 a stringent inspection of all baggage of arriving passengers at the NAIA to search for taxable items and collect the taxes due with a projected daily target of PhP1 million.

OFWs, balikbayans and other Filipino and foreign travelers have sent queries to Philippine Embassies and Consulates about this goal-setting target of the BoC. In turn, the DFA endorsed these queries to the BoC for their comment.

In a letter to the DFA, BoC Commissioner Alberto D. Lina said there are now stricter inspection and taxation procedures at the international passenger terminals all over the Philippines particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Commissioner Lina advises incoming passengers of the new policy and procedure in the examination and clearance of passengers and their baggage at the arrival area. The commissioner also said that the PhP1 million daily collection target is not a quota and was merely a projection on the basis of the volume of incoming passengers.

Commissioner Lina explained that the main thrust of the program is simply the collection of correct duties and taxes on luxury items, jewelry, expensive wrist watches, software, electronic, digital and communication devices and other articles of commercial quantities brought in by Filipino and foreign travelers who are neither classified as OFWs, returning residents, nor balikbayan.

Commissioner Lina further explained that this program is not meant to restrict, limit or curtail the benefits and privileges enjoyed by OFWs, returning residents, balikbayans, tourists and other foreign travelers. He added that returning government officials and functionaries, including their families or entourage traveling abroad, are not exempted from this policy. The Commissioner also assured the public that the inspection and examination of baggage, including personal effects, pasalubong, gifts or donations brought in by arriving passengers are being conducted by well-trained customs front liners in the most expeditious, convenient and orderly manner.

Commissioner Lina advises all arriving and departing passengers that the BoC has come out with a brochure entitled “Passenger Guidelines for Travelers.” The brochure defines and describes in simple terms all that the passenger needs to know about customs and quarantine laws, rules and regulations and procedures. This brochure will be distributed onboard the aircraft, at the arrival and departure areas of international airports in the country, to travel agencies and to the DFA and its Foreign Services Posts. (not yet available)

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Department of Foreign Affairs press release: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2004/dec/pr861.htm

photo release: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2004/photo/agr/gaadonation.htm