Balikbayan Boxes and Shipping Freight to the Philippines
Unless you're a Filipino or have close ties to Filipinos, you probably don't have a clue what I'm talking about when I mention anything about a balikbayan box. The word "balikbayan" is actually a combination word coined in the 1970s. "Balik" means to go back and "bayan" means home town or home country. So "balikbayan" is someone going back to their home country, but it only pertains to people going back to the Philippines.
Since I'm an American living in the Philippines, I become a balikbayan when I return after a trip to the US.
Balikbayan Boxes
Balikbayans normally bring pasalubong (gifts) to friends and relatives on return flights, but the term "balikbayan box" also refers to boxes shipped via cargo containers.
With the recent 50 pound limitation introduced by most airlines (to reduce fuel costs), bringing balikbayan boxes back with the airlines becomes less and less attractive. If your box is a single pound over the limit, you can be charged $50 (in US dollars) or more. This happened to my wife when she came back for her Philippines vacation.
Shipping Freight
Shipping freight via well-known cargo companies is becoming more and more attractive as time progresses. The cost of shipping each box can range from $100 to $125 (in US dollars). The advantage, however, is that there isn't a weight limit. You say you have a box that weighs 500 pounds? If they can get it on the truck that goes to the port, it isn't a problem. I'm exaggerating of course, but it's common to see boxes that weigh more than 100 pounds each headed to the ships.
In California, there are a lot of cargo companies. In Phoenix, there is only a handful. That handful includes Forex Cargo and Manila Forwarders. Some popular companies in southern California include those as well as LBC and Alpha Cargo.
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hi RT,
It's good to learn something new each day, and today I learned what balikbayan means.
I had to chuckle when I read your line "Since I'm an American living in the Philippines, I become a balikbayan when I return after a trip to the US."
At first I had a vision of you getting in a box and getting shipped back, then I realized what you meant. I tease my 4 year old when we go on trips that we may have to put him in a box and send him via UPS.
Anyway, when I read your post on your wife's flight home, I wondered if the airlines didn't give her a chance at check-in to open her bag and take a shoe or something out? We've done that twice the last two times we flew somewhere (my home scale isn't very accurate). I hate the 50lb limit! As you say, they don't give you a break if you're even just 1 pound over.
~ Steve, loyal UV minion and maker of US minion-made trade show displays
Unfortunately, everything my wife had in her boxes was required here.
I'll tell you one thing. If I could fit in one of those boxes, I'd ship myself back and forth — it would be cheaper than the airline flights and probably more comfortable than the seats designed for little people.
Hey RT,
I like "Brown" (UPS). Our driver gives the kids bribes (bubble gum) when he delivers boxes, so now anytime they hear his truck coming, they run around the house screaming "Its UPS, its UPS, its UPS!"
Now that being said, if you'd seen some of the boxes that have been delivered by UPS, and the shape they are in after they've gone through their system, I think you'd think twice about taking a ride in a box with them.
~ Steve, purveyor of UPS-able trade show displays
PS. Probably a ride on a big boat wouldn't be that bad though…
ah, the balikbayan box.
been a while since i've opened one, but there's just something about being confronted with something that large, knowing that it's packed with stuff for you, your family and other relatives. 
RT – I have some friends that retired navy and he often mentions Philippine food that he loved. Got any good Philippine recipes you can share with your readers.
Thanks!
Bonnie, I have a few. I'll be posting them as soon as I'm well enough to stay online more than a few minutes at a time.
Hi RT,
Thanks for untagging my comment above. This is driving me nuts. I'm crossing my fingers on this one to see if the pox has been lifted. I'm going to blame the shadow people if this happens again.
Anyway, sounds like you had a great party! Are you going to write a post about it, maybe How to Party in the Philippines?
~ Steve, the guy with the trade show displays that'll fit in a balikbayan box
I don't know… I think writing about how to party is pushing it a little.
Balikbayan box forwarders have different policies on the box contents. Please ask your freight forwarder.
Hi RT
The balikbayan box is a godsend for my family. We send much needed stuff to the Philippines without worrying if customs is going to steal most of it unlike the mail. I am slowly moving my personal belongings to my new house in the Philippines this way. Believe me we have pushed the weight limit but so far everything has went. The forwarder last time asked if we were shipping rocks to the Philippines
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It's a little more expensive, overall, to use balikbayan boxes that way but you have full control over what goes where. Philippines customs doesn't seem to bother them very often either.
I am really happy that you really enjoyed posting about the Philippines and I salute you. "Balikbayan Box" I really like how you introduce the term. BTW, I am a Filipino. I will wait for your posts on Filipino recipes, I'm planning to post same but I'm not really to cooking but my wife is…
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Shipping prices are getting pretty high, it's getting more and more expensive to ship things. Balikbayan Box sounds pretty cool, too bad I don't live in the Philippines, so I can't use it.
Haven't seen a new post from you in a handful of days and that's unlike you. Hope all is well with you and yours.
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Everything's fine. Just busy with the missus, that's all.
So normal cargo is much better if you want to send something in bulk. On the other hand balikbayan can be useful for limited and light weight gifts. I shall ask that if all Airlines are providing these services?
All airlines allow boxes instead of the regular bags, but they're not called balikbayan boxes. Each has similar size and weight restrictions. I believe it's 72 linear inches and 50 lbs.
hi RT,
Most airlines have an overweight limit of 50 pounds and an oversize limit of 62 linear inches (linear inches = length + width + height). The fees for being overweight and/or oversize can be painful, and they seem to keep going up. It varies from airline to airline (limits and fees), so it's best to check with each airline in advance. The weight limit sometimes depends on whether you are flying domestic or international. The fees sometimes depend on the mood of the check-in person. It's really important to keep these in mind if you're checking trade show displays, since they often are fairly heavy and bulky. Most important – check with any airline you are going to fly in advance.
~ Steve, the trade show marketing dude
Hmmph… so I was off by 10.
Hi RT,
Nothing wrong with a "10", in fact, I like a 10.
What bugs me about the airlines is that they used to let a pound or two (or three or four) slide, but now they don't. They also used to not pull out the tape measure very often, unless the luggage was REALLY oversize.
Seems like they also used to be more on time… but enough ranting.
Everything said, I wouldn't want to be in the airline business right now (with oil prices, etc), but I can't say that's any excuse for what's happened to their customer service.
~ Steve (aka "trade show marketing")
Thanks for the mention of Manila Forwarder. We try to provide the best service at reasonable price.
We ship from any point USA to any point Philippines. Details at http://www.manilaforwarder.com.
Aside from shipping, we also offer the lowest online fares at http://www.TravelPH.Com.
Manny Paez
Providing best
Shipping Service is easy as we do…and when getting a bonus with Discount shipping service will adds more..
We borrowed a Balikbayan box cover from a Filipino pal of ours when we went to Moscow for nearly a month. It was incredible! Not only did it allow us to pack loads of stuff safely & securely, but it is so large, we used it as a desk while there! I even blogged about it:
Bag a Box!
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I have been working out of Philippines for nearly 10 years now prior setting to live in US…and I would say "Balikbayan Box" is our trademark to send loaded of stuff for families and relatives..Did I mentioned relatives??? I'm not sure why relatives expect something from us and if not given they can say things that you don't wanna hear instead give them lil' something…lol.
As of today I still use Balikbayan box,Heading back this coming Jan for a visit and all I have to bring is a suitcase..balikbayan will arrived first before we do…
Balikbayan box rocks !
You're right, I had no idea what those boxes are but judging by the comments people seem to really love them!
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hi, nice to know that you have freight forwarders in your state, here, in where i am located isn't that as known as there. well, maybe because i might be able to know where..since i'm new here…
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Check this pls:
http://www.manilaforwarder.com/affiliate.html
hello good day i just want to ask you if there is someone i can contact near where i stayed in Utica,NY 13502 regarding a balikbayan box on how to get a box and where i can send thank you have nice day
I don't know what's available in your area. I suggest you pick up a yellow pages directory and look under shipping or cargo.
A Reply to living in the Philippines. I also am married to a wonderful Phil. lady and have a great family here in Dolores Quezon. Im retired Navy and my mission is to help the struggling Philippine farmers.Last year my brother-in-law farmed about 1 hector approx 2 acres and raised eggplant,at harvest he received 5 peso's per kilo or 5 cents per pound for his yearly crops,his net income after seed,and fertilizers not to mention labor was about $200.00 USD.or 10,000 pesos to feed ,clothe,and school 7 children himself and wife. I decided several years ago to take my education and use it to help them some way as the churches and relief foundations have ignored these wonderful people for to long.
We have developed new technology to raise Tilapia fish in a small tank of 10'x20'x 3' which will produce 2,700 fish every 3 to 4 months and give these farmers a annual income after expenses of over $4,000.00 USD. or 200,000 peso's we build the tanks for them free and help with marketing and training and the farmers pay us back after harvest over a 5 year program interest free , We call our program giving the farmer a HAND-UP and not A HAND-OUT oh and by the way the water from the fish tanks we dont waste it we use it to do organic farming instead of commercial fertilizers which puts more back into the farmers pocket. if you would like to see what we have done go to our new web site baliwoodtilapiafarm.com
I must say that i had never heard of a balikbayan box before this post and it sounds like some sort of exciting and magic goody box on the return trip homeward. In terms of shipping, i understand (as i work for an international freight forwarding company, World Link) that this is quickly becoming the preferred means of sending packages as airlines are quite rigid in their restrictions nowadays. But this is not to say that there are not good Samaritans in the industry as i discovered last July in Singapore when i wasn't charged for 22 pounds excess baggage by their airline! I wonder what will happen if i go over the limit on my next trip. Somehow i feel that it won't be the same.
it is very great site. nice to know that you have freight forwarders in your state, here, in where i am located isn't that as known as there. well, maybe because i might be able to know where..since i'm new here
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