DTI to OFWs: Avoid unlicensed cargo shippers

DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here advised the public particularly overseas workers to send their balikbayan boxes only to accredited cargo forwarders to avoid becoming victims of unlicensed shippers.

Marjury Lorezco, chief of trade industry development specialist of DTI-Pangasinan, said overseas workers should know the local accredited counterpart of the foreign freight forwarders to whom they are sending their packages to ensure that their balikbayan boxes will be delivered to their consignor.

“DTI advised all the shippers not to transact with freight forwarders who offer shipping fees lower than the standard rates ranging from US$70 to 80 depending on the size of the package,” she said during the “Pantongtongan Tayo” radio program of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Pangasinan aired on Tuesday.

Lorezco said one of the problems for non-delivery of cargo shipments is that foreign consolidators often fail to remit collected charges to their freight forwarders in the Philippines which results to stockpiling of boxes on port areas under the jurisdiction of Bureau of Customs (BOC).

She reminded all shippers to always monitor the movement of their cargo from the origin to destination to ensure that is being shipped and delivered.

Loresco said to ensure that the cargo reach its destination, shippers should keep their transport documents ensuring that the name and contact details of the forwarder’s agent in the Philippines were clearly indicated in their receipts.

Consignees or shippers may report and submit complaints on cargo shipments at DTI-Pangasinan office located at the 2/F Star Building in Arellano Street here together with a copy of cargo receipts, waybill and any supporting documents, she said.

Likewise, Loresco cited items that are not allowed in their cargo namely: currencies, checks, money orders and travelers checks; jewelries; firearms, ammunitions and explosives; drugs and other prohibited substances; pornographic materials, gambling cards, and toy guns; and pirated products like tapes, etc. (PIA-1, Pangasinan/DTI)