5 Tips to Ensure Your Balikbayan Box Arrives to the Philippines On Time

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Admit it: when you hear your tito or tita is sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines, you think about the packs of chocolates, the branded soaps and the bottle of perfumes he or she has included for the entire clan. But for the immediate family of said OFW, a balikbayan box means more than just a package of imported goods. For them, it is a package full of love, filled with contents of sentimental value. Thus, it’s important that this special parcel arrives to its proper destination in perfect condition and on time.


Yes, delays can happen to balikbayan box shipments, too, for a number of reasons. While this is the sad reality, there are certain ways to avoid having to wait a couple more endless months for your package to arrive. Here are some of them.

Declare the contents of the box

Thanks to RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, packages valued not exceeding to Php150,000 are now exempted from duties and taxes valid up to three times in one calendar year. However, there are cases where this exemption is being abused as some individuals under-declare the value of their box’s contents. If caught, the Bureau of Customs may hold the undervalued items, and cause a delay in your shipment. To avoid this, it is advisable that you declare the contents of your package properly, complete with their corresponding prices.

Keep & secure transport documents

Aside from the itemized contents, you should also pay attention to other important documents such as the shipping’s official receipt, invoice and the Bill of Lading (BL). A BL is a legal document issued by the carrier to the shipper that details the type, quantity and destination of the items being shipped. Also ensure that the name & contact details of the consolidator’s Philippine counterpart is included in the shipping documents.

Avoid sending prohibited items

Sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines for the first time is exciting, but know that you cannot put everything in that package. There are prohibited items that you should refrain from sending as it can cause issues and delays not only to your parcel but for the entire cargo as well. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) listed the contrabands as follows:

• Items of commercial quantity 
• Pirated products 
• Pornographic materials 
• Prohibited drugs & substances 
• Firearms, ammunitions & explosives 
• Pieces of jewelry 
• Currencies, checks, money orders & travelers checks 

Check: 5 Things You’ll Find in Balikbayan Boxes Sent to the Philippines

Track your shipment

Always ask your forwarding company important details like the name of the shipping line & the vessel, the voyage number and the container number. Also inquire how you can track your package—from the origin to its destination as well as the expected time of departure and arrival of your package. Likewise, ask family members receiving the package to check with the Philippine forwarder’s counterpart about the estimated date of arrival.

Trust only accredited forwarders

The last thing you’d want is your balikbayan box being held by Customs because your forwarder didn’t pay the right taxes they ought to. Since your shipping company will be handling your precious package, the most important thing you should remember is to check if it is accredited in the Philippines. The DTI has also made it easier by providing a list of accredited forwarders on their website. It is also best to ask fellow OFWs about the freight forwarders they trust and use.