TOP THINGS TO KNOW FOR BALIKBAYAN BOX SHIPPING TO PHILIPPINES



Working or living abroad, cost so much sentiments to every member of the Filipino family, as to the length of time apart and the matter of safety and security.

Every single item stow inside every package sent by those who are in abroad, (herein, referred to as Balikabayan Box/Package) equivalent to unmeasurable happiness hidden in every smiles. 

Hence, no one can ever compromised the safety of all their valuables, as they trusted the company whom they paid to facilitate the shipping for their package.

Herein provided, enable to understand the realm of sending packages (Pasalubong) to families in the Philippines, on the allowable (package) contents, how often we're allowed to send, up to those parties who are legitimate to facilitate the transaction and other factors that affects the efficiency of deliveries.

Top things to know in sending Pasalubong , Balikabayan Box / Package

First, Balikbayan boxes (Pasalubong package) refers to those packages of personal/household effects sent by Filipinos residing or working abroad to their families in the Philippines as part of the continuing tradition of gift giving and unity.

Second, the two forms of Balikbayan boxes are those from "Single consignor/sender", wherein the duties will be based on the actual value of the items, of which must not be exceeded to $500.00, while the other one is from "Multiple consignor/sender", consolidated as one in the country of exportation/origin, subject for distribution to the individual consignees/receiver in the Philippines (popularly called as, Door to Door Boxes Delivery), hence, the duties will be based on the size of the container van and origin, whether 20 or 40 footer, of which both forms only contains items for personal use only (wearing apparel, clothing, foodstuffs/grocery items/canned goods), not in commercial quantity and 1 box per six months period (of which not actually happening).

Third, the parties (person) who are allowed to facilitate the shipment from the country of origin (whom the shipper paying) should only be those foreign freight consolidator / entity licensed and registered by  Philippine Consular Office bound to their counterpart Philippine agent / representative, as their general consignee appears in their master bill of lading, whom must be also a licensed and registered by the Philippine Shipper's Bureau (PSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Fourth, to be vigilant in making sure your cargo is safe, you can verify those companies whom you're transacting with at Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) under the Department of Trade and Industry on their website: www.dti.gov.ph/consumerwelfare/accreditationoffreightforwarders/listofaccredited or by calling these numbers during office hours: (632) 7513304 or (632) 7513307.

Fifth, these balikbayan boxes, must be outright subject for 100% examination, both those from single/multiple consignees, to protect the government revenue, the interest of the domestic industries and national health, however, to expedite the processing, most of the time, after the x-ray/scan procedure, if no signs of contraband or any irregularities from the actual footage to the declared items, no further examination required.

Sixth, in relation to the 3rd paragraph, parties who are liable in terms of any irregularities in terms of delivery are those from consolidator abroad, up to the Philippine agent as general consignee as part of their contract to deliver the same to all the individual consignees (door to door), and subsequent local delivery agent contracted by the first Philippine agent.

Lastly, factors that affects the delay and/or non-deliveries are:
  1. Natural calamities/accidents
  2. If your box/package, contains some: undeclared and/or misdeclared goods; banned or regulated cargoes like firearms and ammunitions, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, gambling materials/apparatus; goods in commercial quantity
  3. Shipments that are abandoned for reasons of non-remittance of funds by the freight forwarding entity/ consolidator abroad (consolidated).
Note: If you are reading this article few years later than below date posted, it is highly recommended to further browse for possible amendment or you may contact us here and let us know how we can help you.
[Manila, Philippines | Posted: November 2013]