UAE Filipinos, sending balikbayan boxes is VAT-free

Dubai - Sending parcels and cargoes locally or regionally however, will have 5 per cent vat

Kabayans, please note: sending balikbayan or cargo boxes to the Philippines is still VAT-free but starting from January 2, the cost of cargo boxes, used to send parcels back home, will have 5 per cent value-added tax, a manager of a Filipino-owned courier company told Khaleej Times on Monday.
"Starting from January 2, prices of balikbayan boxes will carry 5 per cent VAT," Veronica Rey, LBC Express communications and marketing officer Middle East, told Khaleej Times.
"This means a balikbayan box previously priced at Dh15 will become Dh15.75; Dh 20 box will become Dh 21 and our Dh25 jumbo box will become Dh26.25.
Rey clarified that sending cargo to the Philippines and other countries (except GCC) is zero-VAT. Sending parcels and cargoes locally (inter-UAE) or regionally (UAE to other GCC countries) will have 5 per cent VAT.
She added that the 5 per cent VAT on cargo boxes would have taken effect on Monday but was moved to Tuesday because it was a holiday.

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Philippines