Manila, Sept. 8 -- Filipinos abroad and their families will now have better access to information and assistance on balikbayan boxes and other shipment concerns under a new partnership between the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante Francis Ang II signed on Tuesday a memorandum of agreement outlining the two agencies' joint efforts to help overseas Filipinos better understand customs rules and requirements when sending balikbayan boxes and other shipments to the Philippines.

The two agencies will also strengthen efforts to educate the public on proper documentation, prohibited and restricted goods, and ways to avoid fraudulent s...