Bahagi 1 · Balikbayan box
How to ship a box the right way
Padala sa pamilya
Shipping for Christmas?
Six steps, empty box to doorstep
- 1
Pick an accredited forwarder
Use a U.S. company whose Philippine partner is on the DTI accredited list. Be wary of rates far below everyone else's — underfunded shippers are the main cause of stranded boxes.
- 2
Pack smart
Personal and household items only, in non-commercial quantities. Pack tight, then wrap, strap and seal. Write the recipient's full name and phone on two sides.
- 3
Fill out the Information Sheet
Every box needs an itemized packing list plus a copy of your passport bio page. Declare honestly; undervaluing is what inspections catch.
- 4
Keep your papers
Keep the official receipt and house bill of lading. That tracking number is your only proof if something goes wrong.
- 5
Track it
Follow your box with your forwarder and the Bureau of Customs tracker. Have family contact the Philippine agent before it arrives.
- 6
Inspect on delivery
Family should check the seal before signing. If it looks tampered with, they can refuse it and ask the agent to recheck.
Who qualifies for duty-free
- A Qualified Filipino While Abroad: an OFW, a Filipino resident abroad, or a qualified former Filipino.
- Recipient is family or a relative up to the fourth civil degree, by blood or marriage.
- Up to three shipments per calendar year, combined value up to ₱150,000.
- Companies and sole proprietors can ship, but can't claim duty-free.
Don't pack these
- Firearms, ammunition, parts, or anything that looks like a weapon
- Illegal drugs and controlled medicines without a prescription
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Commercial quantities — a dozen of the same item reads as resale
- Perishable food, flammables, aerosols, loose lithium batteries
- Cash and valuable jewelry — send money separately
One illegal item can hold up a whole container of ~400 boxes.
Common box sizes
Names vary by forwarder. Freight is usually a flat rate to Metro Manila, with surcharges for provinces.
Medium
18 × 18 × 18 in
Toiletries, snacks, a few clothes
Regular
18 × 18 × 24 in
The classic family padala
Large
20 × 20 × 24 in
Clothes, shoes, linens
Jumbo
24 × 24 × 24 in
Bulky items, small appliances