SAN FRANCISCO, California  (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The Pilipino American Shippers’ Association (PASA) announced today that its members are suspending the shipping of all balikbayan boxes to the Philippines effective immediately. That could mean less corned beef, SPAM, chocolates and designer shoes or clothing for the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). PASA includes top shippers like Forex, Atlas and LBC.

The move is in protest of the Philippine Bureau of Customs’ recent announcement that it will be inspecting balikbayan boxes arriving in the country from OFWs.

Until recently, OFWs could send balikbayan boxes to their loved ones in the Philippines, free of inspection or taxes.

New customs regulations require that the contents of a balikbayan box must not exceed US$500.00 in value. Canned goods, grocery items and other household effects must not exceed a dozen a kind, while apparel, whether used or new, must not exceed 3 yards per cut. Only one consignment per sender during a one-month period is allowed,” Customs Commissioner Bert Lina reminded Filipinos abroad.

Lina gave the reminder to warn smugglers who exploit the use of balikbayan boxes to circumvent the law. He also said that the BOC is allowed by law to check the boxes.

“Home appliances are not allowed unless these are consigned to returning Filipino residents and overseas contract workers….We will seize these prohibited shipments and revoke registrations of forwarders or consolidators if we find any violations,” Lina said.

OFWs used social media to express their anger over the announcement by BOC.

In the meantime, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is reportedly preparing to issue new regulations that would impose a 30% tax on dollar remittances from OFWs.

“The BIR needs to find new ways to raise revenue and taxing dollar remittances from Filipinos living abroad would be a great way to meet the agency’s revenue goals,” BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said.