Dos and Don’ts When Sending Balikbayan Boxes
When sending a balikbayan box, you do not choose a shipping company based on the rates alone. But you should check if a forwarder is an accredited company. You should also familiarize yourself with the laws about shipping to the country so you’d know what you should and should not include in your package.
See? There are dos and don’ts you should keep in mind when sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines to avoid issues and ensure your package arrives safely to its destination. And here are more of them
1. Understanding the rules. Certain laws like the RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act gain you advantage. For instance, this act exempts packages not exceeding Php150,000 from duties and taxes, allowing your spending to focus on the usual balikbayan box rates.
2. Securing your balikbayan box properly. Packages sent overseas are prone to damage so ensure you place your goods with bubble wraps and seal every side of the box well.
3. Asking for important shipment details. Get the name of the agent in the Philippines as well as the name of the shipping line & the vessel.
4. Declaring the contents of your shipment. Itemizing your package helps both the Bureau of Customs and your consignee to verify the content of your box. It also helps prevent missing items upon shipment.
5. Securing transport documents. ALWAYS keep important documents such as the official receipt, invoice, and Bill of Lading secured properly.
6. Monitoring the movement of your cargo. Frequently check with your forwarder the estimated time of departure and arrival of your balikbayan box from point A to point B.
1. Sending contraband items. Certain goods like used clothing of commercial quantity or perishable food items aren’t allowed to be shipped and may cause issues during your shipment. Avoid sending them.
2. Overstuffing your box. Placing all your goods in one box is cost-efficient, however, overstuffing them can risk your package of breaking during transit. Make it a point to leave half an inch between the box and the top layer of contents to prevent spilling.
3. Shipping your package during the –ber months. According to statistics, the –ber months is when a surge of balikbayan boxes get shipped to the Philippines. The more packages being shipped, the more chances the arrival of your box will be delayed. If possible, send your package before the peak season.
4. Sending at the last minute. The average travel time by sea takes 28-30 days and a few days to a week by air. If you want your package to arrive on time, don’t send it at the last minute. Always allot more time for the balikbayan box to arrive at the scheduled date.
5. Deciding your shipping company based on price alone. There are more factors to consider aside from the balikbayan box rates alone. The most important of which that you should remember is the credibility of the forwarder that can be verified on certain government websites such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Civil Aeronautics Board.
See? There are dos and don’ts you should keep in mind when sending balikbayan boxes to the Philippines to avoid issues and ensure your package arrives safely to its destination. And here are more of them
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DOs
1. Understanding the rules. Certain laws like the RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act gain you advantage. For instance, this act exempts packages not exceeding Php150,000 from duties and taxes, allowing your spending to focus on the usual balikbayan box rates.
2. Securing your balikbayan box properly. Packages sent overseas are prone to damage so ensure you place your goods with bubble wraps and seal every side of the box well.
3. Asking for important shipment details. Get the name of the agent in the Philippines as well as the name of the shipping line & the vessel.
4. Declaring the contents of your shipment. Itemizing your package helps both the Bureau of Customs and your consignee to verify the content of your box. It also helps prevent missing items upon shipment.
5. Securing transport documents. ALWAYS keep important documents such as the official receipt, invoice, and Bill of Lading secured properly.
6. Monitoring the movement of your cargo. Frequently check with your forwarder the estimated time of departure and arrival of your balikbayan box from point A to point B.
 |
| https://assets.change.org/ |
DON’Ts
1. Sending contraband items. Certain goods like used clothing of commercial quantity or perishable food items aren’t allowed to be shipped and may cause issues during your shipment. Avoid sending them.
2. Overstuffing your box. Placing all your goods in one box is cost-efficient, however, overstuffing them can risk your package of breaking during transit. Make it a point to leave half an inch between the box and the top layer of contents to prevent spilling.
3. Shipping your package during the –ber months. According to statistics, the –ber months is when a surge of balikbayan boxes get shipped to the Philippines. The more packages being shipped, the more chances the arrival of your box will be delayed. If possible, send your package before the peak season.
4. Sending at the last minute. The average travel time by sea takes 28-30 days and a few days to a week by air. If you want your package to arrive on time, don’t send it at the last minute. Always allot more time for the balikbayan box to arrive at the scheduled date.
5. Deciding your shipping company based on price alone. There are more factors to consider aside from the balikbayan box rates alone. The most important of which that you should remember is the credibility of the forwarder that can be verified on certain government websites such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Civil Aeronautics Board.
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