By accessing, registering for, or using the Balikbayan Box System (the “System”), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines of the Republic of the Philippines.If you do not agree with any provision of these Terms of Service, you must refrain from accessing or using the System.These Terms of Service govern the use of the System, including its features, functionalities, and services made available to registered users and other authorized stakeholders.
2. Purpose and Scope of the System
The Balikbayan Box System is a digital platform designed to facilitate the registration, booking, monitoring, and tracking of balikbayan box transactions, and to support the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the exercise of its regulatory, monitoring, assessment, and enforcement functions.The System provides functionalities that may include:
User registration and identity verification;
Sender and consignee information management;
Balikbayan box booking and shipment management;
Declaration of shipment contents, quantities, and values;
Monitoring of sender privileges, availments, and applicable exemptions;
Automated processing and estimation of customs duties, taxes, and other applicable charges;
Shipment monitoring and transaction tracking; and
Generation of operational reports, dashboards, and other information supporting customs administration and regulatory oversight.
The System is intended to promote transparency, efficiency, compliance, and informed decision-making. Its features, automated processes, and system-generated recommendations are designed to support, and do not supersede, replace, or limit, the statutory authority, discretion, and responsibilities of the BOC under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
3. User Accounts and Responsibilities
Users may be required to register an account and provide the necessary information and supporting documents to access certain features and services of the System.By registering and using the System, you agree to:
Provide true, accurate, complete, and up-to-date information during registration and throughout your use of the System;
Ensure that all shipment details, item descriptions, quantities, declared values, and supporting documents submitted through the System are accurate, complete, and legitimate;
Provide valid identification documents and complete the required identity verification procedures;
Maintain the confidentiality and security of your account credentials and authentication information;
Refrain from sharing your account or allowing unauthorized individuals to access or use it;
Promptly report any suspected unauthorized access, account compromise, or misuse of the System to the appropriate support or administrative personnel;
Use the System only for its intended purposes and in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and
Cooperate with verification, validation, examination, and compliance procedures required by the BOC or other duly authorized government authorities.
Users shall be responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and legitimacy of the information and documents they submit through the System.
4. Permitted Use and Restrictions
Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable right to access and use the System solely for its intended purposes and subject to these Terms of Service.Users shall not:
Copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or commercially exploit any part of the System without prior written authorization from the appropriate rights holder;
Attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise gain unauthorized access to the System's source code, underlying technology, or security mechanisms;
Circumvent, disable, or interfere with the System's authentication, security, monitoring, or access controls;
Upload or transmit malicious software, harmful code, or any material that may compromise the integrity, availability, or security of the System;
Submit false, fraudulent, misleading, or unauthorized information or documents;
Use another person's identity, credentials, or account without proper authorization;
Access, retrieve, or use information belonging to other users without lawful authority;
Manipulate, interfere with, or attempt to circumvent the System's monitoring of sender privileges, availments, declarations, or other compliance-related functionalities; or
Use the System for any unlawful, fraudulent, or unauthorized purpose.
Any violation of these restrictions may result in the suspension or termination of access, without prejudice to applicable administrative, civil, or criminal liabilities.
5. Shipment Declarations and Customs Compliance
Users shall ensure that all information and declarations submitted in connection with their balikbayan box transactions are accurate, complete, and consistent with the actual contents of their shipments.Users are responsible for:
Providing truthful and sufficiently detailed descriptions of all items included in their shipments;
Declaring the correct quantities and values of the goods being shipped;
Providing supporting documents when required;
Ensuring that the items included in their shipments comply with applicable customs laws, regulations, and restrictions, including requirements relating to prohibited, restricted, and regulated goods; and
Complying with applicable requirements concerning sender privileges, availments, exemptions, duties, taxes, and other charges.
The submission of shipment information through the System does not automatically constitute approval, acceptance, or clearance of the shipment by the BOC.The BOC retains the authority to verify declarations, conduct examinations, determine applicable duties and taxes, enforce customs regulations, and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
6. System-Generated Information and AI-Assisted Functionalities
The System may utilize automated processes, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted functionalities to support identity verification, shipment monitoring, valuation estimation, and the identification of potential discrepancies or transactions requiring further review.These functionalities may include the generation of estimated product values based on available information and relevant e-commerce listings, including the use of median values derived from identified product listings.Users acknowledge that:
System-generated information, recommendations, and valuation estimates are provided for reference, monitoring, and decision-support purposes;
Automated results may be subject to limitations arising from data availability, accuracy, completeness, product matching, and other technical factors;
Estimated product values do not constitute a final determination of customs value, duties, or taxes by the BOC;
The BOC may conduct further verification, examination, assessment, and determination based on applicable customs laws, rules, regulations, and established procedures; and
System-generated recommendations do not automatically determine a user's eligibility for privileges, exemptions, or other customs benefits.
The use of automated functionalities does not guarantee the approval, clearance, release, or exemption of any shipment from applicable customs duties, taxes, fees, or other regulatory requirements.
7. Intellectual Property Rights
The System, including its software, source code, design, interfaces, features, documentation, graphics, logos, and other related materials, is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.Unless otherwise indicated, all rights, title, and interest in the System and its underlying technology shall remain with their respective owners or authorized rights holders.Nothing in these Terms of Service shall be construed as transferring ownership or granting users any intellectual property rights beyond the limited right to access and use the System as expressly provided herein.
8. System Availability, Maintenance, and Modifications
The System and its features are made available subject to operational requirements, technical capabilities, maintenance schedules, and applicable service arrangements.Reasonable efforts shall be undertaken to maintain the availability, reliability, and proper functioning of the System. However, uninterrupted or error-free operation cannot be guaranteed.The System may undergo maintenance, upgrades, enhancements, or temporary service interruptions as necessary to ensure its continued operation, security, and improvement.The System administrator reserves the right to modify, suspend, restrict, or discontinue any feature or functionality when necessary due to technical requirements, operational considerations, security concerns, regulatory changes, or other legitimate reasons.
9. Third-Party Services and External Links
The System may contain links to external websites, platforms, payment facilities, or third-party services to facilitate certain transactions or provide additional functionalities.Such external services may be governed by their own terms of service, conditions, and applicable policies.The inclusion of third-party links or services does not necessarily constitute an endorsement or guarantee of their accuracy, availability, security, or reliability.Users are encouraged to review the applicable terms and conditions before using third-party services.
10. Suspension, Restriction, and Termination of Access
Access to the System may be suspended, restricted, or terminated in cases of:
Violation of these Terms of Service;
Submission of false, fraudulent, or misleading information;
Suspected unauthorized access, account misuse, or security violations;
Activities that compromise or threaten the integrity, security, or proper operation of the System;
Failure to comply with applicable verification or compliance requirements; or
Other circumstances requiring such action under applicable laws, regulations, or authorized government directives.
Where appropriate, users may be notified of the suspension or restriction and may be required to undergo additional verification or compliance procedures before access is restored.Any suspension or termination of System access shall be without prejudice to the authority of the BOC to undertake appropriate regulatory or enforcement action under applicable laws and regulations.
11. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
The System and its functionalities are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, subject to applicable laws, regulations, and service arrangements.While reasonable efforts shall be undertaken to maintain the accuracy, reliability, and availability of the System, no representation or warranty is made that:
The System will operate uninterrupted, error-free, or without technical delays;
All information and data displayed or generated by the System will always be accurate, complete, or current;
All system features will be continuously available or compatible with every device, browser, or operating environment; or
Any particular transaction or shipment will be approved, processed, cleared, or released within a specific period.
To the extent permitted by applicable laws, the System provider shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use the System.Nothing in these Terms of Service shall exclude or limit liabilities that cannot legally be excluded or limit the statutory powers, duties, and responsibilities of the BOC or any other government agency under applicable laws and regulations.
12. Data Privacy
The collection, processing, storage, retention, and disclosure of personal information through the System shall be governed by the Balikbayan Box System Data Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws and regulations, including Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.Users are encouraged to review the Data Privacy Policy to understand how their personal information is handled and the rights available to them as data subjects.The Data Privacy Policy shall be read together with these Terms of Service, with each document governing its respective subject matter.
13. Revisions and Updates to These Terms
These Terms of Service may be revised or updated when necessary to reflect changes in the System's functionalities, operational requirements, applicable laws and regulations, or other legitimate considerations.Updated versions shall be made available through the System, together with the applicable effectivity date.Users are encouraged to periodically review these Terms of Service. Continued use of the System following the effectivity of revised Terms shall constitute acceptance of the updated provisions, subject to applicable legal requirements.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.Any dispute arising from or relating to the use of the System shall be subject to the applicable laws and regulations of the Philippines and the jurisdiction of the appropriate courts, subject to applicable rules on jurisdiction and venue.
15. Severability
If any provision of these Terms of Service is declared invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
