The favorite box of Filipinos, a balikbayan box or a “repatriate box", is a corrugated box containing items sent by OFWs which are commonly shipped to the country by air.

Here are some important information about that precious package:

1.  Items allowed in balikbayan boxes:

Non-commercial goods or goods that are not in commercial quantity with value not exceeding US$500.00:

• Wearing apparel

• Clothing

• Foodstuffs/grocery items/canned goods

2.  How Often Can an OFW send a balikbayan box?

One sender is allowed to send once within a six-month period.

3.  Are the balikbayan boxes opened by the Philippine Customs?

Yes. A 100% examination of the consolidated shipment is required by law for the following reasons:

• To protect the legitimate interests of senders and recipients and the transacting public;
• To protect the interest of the government; and
• To prevent and suppress smuggling and other fraud upon customs.Where can we check and verify the list of legitimate and Philippine shippers’ freight forwarders and brokers?

4.  Verification can be made with the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) under the Department of Trade and Industry on their website: www.dti.gov.ph or by calling (02) 751-3304 or 3307. The person in-charge is Mr. Jun Bernal.

5.  What causes the delay/non-delivery of the boxes to their ultimate consignees?

• Unforeseen circumstances like natural calamity that sets back the arrival of cargo carrying vessels;
• Shipment issues like:

        a.  Undeclared and/or misdeclared goods;

        b.  Banned or regulated cargoes like firearms and ammunitions, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, gambling materials/apparatus;

        c.  Goods in commercial quantity;

• Non-remittance of funds by the foreign freight forwarding entity/consolidator.

The balikbayan box is never really about its contents. It is another way of reassuring loved ones back home they had not been forgotten and were wished well.

Source: Bureau of Customs