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Customers Reported Lost Balikbayan Boxes From Cargo Firm

Filipinos in Dubai have faced service failures with Makati Express Cargo, including sudden communication blackouts.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Transportation

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a single shipping box on a concrete surface, with a distant ship silhouette, evoking international cargo issues.
Filipinos in Dubai are struggling to locate balikbayan boxes shipped via Makati Express Cargo after the firm ceased operations in September 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Filipinos living in Dubai have reported widespread failures by Makati Express Cargo to deliver balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. The company ceased communication via phone and WhatsApp in September 2026, leaving many customers without updates on their shipments.

Why it matters

Balikbayan boxes are essential cultural and financial lifelines for overseas Filipino workers, and the loss of these items impacts both the emotional and material well-being of families. The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers issued a formal warning against the company in February 2026 following concerns over shipping reliability.

Customers reported a demand for an additional Dh290 payment to reroute boxes via Oman. The company ceased all operational contact through mobile numbers and WhatsApp in September 2026.

The players

Philippine Department of Migrant Workers

This executive department of the Philippine government is responsible for protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

Philippine Bureau of Customs

This agency is tasked with assessing and collecting customs revenues and curbing illicit trade at Philippine borders.

Makati Express Cargo

This logistics company operated as a shipping provider for balikbayan boxes between the UAE and the Philippines.

The details

Customers who collected boxes for shipment in May 2026 began following up in August 2026 after failing to receive their items. The Philippine Bureau of Customs indicated that many shipments are currently held due to pending legal cases against the cargo company.

Timeline

  1. February 2026: The Department of Migrant Workers issued an official warning regarding the company.

  2. May 2026: Customers collected their boxes for initial shipping.

  3. August 2026: Customers began requesting updates on the status of their cargo.

  4. September 2026: Makati Express Cargo disconnected its WhatsApp accounts and phone lines.

Market Landscape

This disruption underscores the fragility of specialized logistics corridors serving the Filipino diaspora, often reliant on smaller, less regulated operators. The collapse of these services forces a broader industry shift toward more established, scrutinized, and transparent international shipping firms.

Customers who have items trapped in the system face significant financial loss and may be unable to recover goods if the company remains unreachable. Affected families should maintain all shipping receipts and documentation to assist with potential future legal claims through official government channels.

The takeaway

Overseas workers should prioritize using government-accredited logistics providers to ensure the security of their balikbayan boxes. Always demand verifiable tracking numbers and avoid making extra payments to secondary entities for rerouting services if the original carrier becomes unresponsive.

Further reading

For more context on international logistics and consumer protections, visit the Transportation section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by GULF NEWS.

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