DTI warns public of blacklisted cargo forwarders of ‘Balikbayan boxes’

By: Miriaflor Rimando

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Nov. 14 (PIA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned the public especially Filipinos working abroad to be vigilant in sending their balikbayan boxes to the Philippines and check the reliability of foreign principals/consolidators and cargo forwarders as the holiday season is fast approaching. 

This is to help overseas Filipino workers (OFW) that the packages they ship to their families and relatives in the Philippines will be delivered on-time and safely, says DTI Region 1 Information Officer Amelia Galvez. 

The DTI, through its Philippine Shippers Bureau (PSB) accredits sea cargo forwarders, she added. 

Due to numerous complaints received by the DTI of undelivered balikbayan boxes in the country, the agency is now issuing a list of blacklisted or unaccredited foreign consolidators and cargo forwarders to alert the public especially OFWs and their recipients. 

“In region 1, there are no recorded complaints of undelivered balikbayan boxes as of this month,” Galvez said. 

DTI has blacklisted the following Foreign Consolidators/Principals: In the United Arab Emirates: Al Rodah Marine Cargo, Cityline Cargo, Dagupan Cargo Packaging Services, Express Link Cargo Services and Smooth Express; United States of America: AAA Cargo Express Inc., ABS-CBN Star Kargo, Aerosend, Alas Cargo, Associated Consolidations Express, FRS Philippine Freight Services Inc., Shipping Express and South Atlantic Cargo; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Cargo Net Worldwide Services (formerly FAL-World Express Cargo), Fil Asia Cargo Forwarders Philippines, Global Cargo, RJM Freight Forwarders (a division of Al-Zagel Cargo), and North and South Express Cargo; Singapore: Hagibis Express Pte. Ltd., and Maru Cargo Logistics LLP; Ireland: Maharlika Enterprise Cargo Services and SCRL Cargo; and other Countries: Bayanihan Express in Malaysia, Dausan International Forwarder in Australia, Ford Cargo International in HongKong and Trico International in Cyprus. 

The following are also unaccredited/blacklisted cargo forwarders issued formal charges by the DTI-PSB: Vanwil Cargo Forwarder Inc., Aerosend, Alas Cargo Philippines, Associated Consolidated Express, Dausan International Forwarder, FACF Parcel Delivery, FRS Philippine Freight Services, Inc., International Cargo Forwarder, J.J. Transglobal Brokerage, JAR cargo Forwarders, Mail Plus Cargo Carriers, Manila Broker, Maru cargo Logistics Philippines, R&M Cargo Services, Rodah Cargo Manila, South Atlantic Cargo Inc., trico International Forwarding (Phils) Inc., and VCG Customs Brokerage. - See more at: news.pia.gov.ph