(From left) LBC Express President Miguel Camahort, LBC Express CEO Santiago Araneta, Customs Commissioner Bert Lina, Brian Lane, Suzie Mitchell, and Beth Lee address some of the concerns and comments of shipping and logistics practicioners at the Asia Logistics Summit
PASAY – Following through on their discussions in the recently concluded Asia Logistics Summit 2015, LBC Express, Inc., the country’s largest logistics, remittance, and courier company, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are working hand-in-hand to ensure that Balikbayan boxes, especially ones targeted for Christmas, arrive promptly and safely.
BOC Chief Bert Lina was one of the guests of honor at the Asia Logistics Summit 2015. In his keynote speech, he mentioned “[In] logistics, the name of the game is speed.” He then followed it up with a clamor for the logistics companies and government to work together to ‘accelerate the pace of getting things done across all members of the supply chain.’
In response to Lina’s call, LBC has been working with the Bureau to hasten their turnover times. “The Balikbayan Box is where the OFWs translate their hard work and effort into something that is tangible and can be felt by their families back home. Its more padama than it is padala,” said Rene Fuentes, LBC’s Head of Global Retail. “Through the years, LBC has always been trusted with sending those important gifts and gestures of love, so we’ve synchronized our systems with Customs to be able deliver packages as quickly as possible,” he continued.
In this cooperation between LBC and the BOC, both entities have streamlined their processes and systems to create a cohesive structure that will facilitate the movement of Balikbayan boxes from point to point. The method ensures that the boxes will be handled safely, and will guarantee that the boxes will never have to be opened unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
In August 2015, the BOC issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 27-2015 stipulating that “Balikbayan boxes of OFWs shall not be subjected to random or arbitrary physical inspection. Instead, they shall undergo mandatory X-ray scanning.” This X-ray scanning is conducted at the Designated Examination Area (DEA), for preliminary non-commercial shipments. However, should any box be tagged “suspect” after X-ray scanning (containing goods of commercial value), these will be physically inspected by duly authorized BOC inspectors. In this regard, all senders are encouraged to properly adhere to the procedures and policies of the BOC, while likewise preparing complete documentation (packing list).
To further assist senders, and respond to queries and concerns in real-time, LBC and the BOC also initiated a regular live chat with BOC officials, where OFWs may directly communicate with BOC officials.
“We hope that through our collaborative efforts [with the BOC], we can further improve our services to our customers, as well as upgrade the standards for the industry-at-large,” Fuentes said. “At the end of the day, all we want is for our OFWs to be able to send their love to their families, so that they will have a very Merry Christmas,” he concluded.
To know more about the services of LBC Express, you may visit http://www.lbcexpress.com.
About LBC Express
LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950’s as a brokerage and air cargo agent. Known as the largest Express Courier, Cargo, and Money Remittance Service Company in the Philippines, LBC now offers its services in over 18 countries in North America, Canada, Middle East, Australia, Asia Pacific, Oceania, and European Territories. Currently, LBC operates in over 3,000 branches and partner agents in the Philippines. Since then, LBC has been moving anything and everything for the global Filipinos. For more than 60 years, LBC has provided hassle free delivery via air, land, and sea cargoes; from cash remittance to simple packages and container loads of business logistical needs. Its clientele comprises of local and multinational corporations, and several government agencies.