OFWs in HK told: Be 'careful' with your Xmas packages

Overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong should be "vigilant" on sending packages to their relatives for Christmas, the Philippine Consulate General there said.

In an advisory posted on its website on Monday, the Consulate General warned OFWs to be careful especially in sending boxes through Ford Cargo International, which "has already victimized several Filipinos in Hong Kong."

"This company… has a pending criminal case here," the Consulate General said.

Ford Cargo International is among the sea freight forwarders earlier listed as "delinquent" by the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB), an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The companies that made the PSB list last May had been noted for delivery delay and non-delivery of Balikbayan boxes and pilferage, over-charging, and lost and damaged cargoes.

Aside from Ford Cargo International, the list included:

Associated Consolidations Express (ACE) Cargo of Northern and Southern California and its local counterpart in Parañaque;
Smooth Express of Dubai;
Express Link Cargo Services of the United Arab Emirates (UAE);
SCRL Cargo of Ireland;
NACA Logistics of California and Illinois;
Shipping Express of Chicago; and
Dagupan Cargo Packaging Services of UAE.

The Consulate General also told Filipinos in Hong Kong that their Balikbayan boxes should not bear items like:

currencies, checks, money orders, and traveler’s checks;
jewelry;
firearms, ammunitions, explosives, and toy guns;
gambling cards; and
pirated products (i.e. DVDs, CDs, tapes).

— with Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ/LBG, GMA News

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