Sending a Balikbayan Box to the Philippines: Companies, Sizes, and Prices

Sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines is one of the most common ways Filipinos overseas stay connected with family back home. This guide covers the rules, required documents, what you can and cannot send, the best shipping companies by country, box sizes, costs, and what to watch out for.

There is a large Filipino population living and working around the world. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), millions of Filipinos are employed overseas as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Including permanent migrants and long-term residents abroad, the global Filipino population is estimated to exceed 10 million people.

This large overseas community explains why millions of balikbayan boxes arrive in the Philippines every year. These boxes have become a common way for Filipinos abroad to send gifts, household goods, and other items to their families back home.

What is a Balikbayan Box?

The compound word balik-bayan means “a return to the country.” Balikbayan boxes emerged from the large number of Filipinos working and living abroad who want to stay connected with their families back home. They send boxes of goods from wherever they are deployed.

Family is central to Filipino culture, and balikbayan boxes are a tangible expression of that. They typically contain clothes, toys, appliances, gadgets, and non-perishable groceries, packed with care for the people waiting on the other end.

Rules for Sending a Balikbayan Box

Anyone can send a balikbayan box, but only qualified Filipinos may claim tax and duty-free privileges. According to the Bureau of Customs, three categories qualify:

• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
• Filipinos with temporary visas such as a Student Visa or Temporary Worker Visa
• Filipinos with dual citizenship who live abroad

If you fall into any of these categories, you can send up to three tax-free balikbayan boxes per year to the Philippines. The package can be received by family or friends, but they should be related to you to qualify for the tax exemption. If you do not qualify, a Filipino partner or friend can send on your behalf.

Documents Required

Prepare the following paperwork when sending a balikbayan box:

• A copy of your Philippine passport
• If you have dual citizenship, a copy of the Oath of Allegiance
• The Information or Declaration sheet from the Bureau of Customs: download and fill this out before contacting your cargo company
• Receipts for any valuable items inside the box

What is Not Allowed in a Balikbayan Box?

There are three classifications to be aware of: hassle-free items, regulated import products, and restricted imports. The following comes from the Bureau of Customs.

Hassle-Free Items

These items can be sent without FDA clearance, provided they are for personal use and stay within quantity limits:

• Childcare articles: max 5 kg
• Toys: max 10 pieces
• Perfumes: max 5 bottles
• Lipsticks: max 10 pieces
• Shampoo: max 2 kg
• Lotion: max 2 kg
• Bar soap: max 2 kg
• Assorted cosmetics: max 1 kg
• Household hazardous products (detergent, dishwashing liquid): max 5 kg total
• Vitamins and health supplements: max 500 g total
• Processed food: max 10 kg
• Liquor or wine: max 2 bottles, each not exceeding 1.5 liters

These limits apply whether items are in personal baggage, a balikbayan box, or a parcel. Quantities exceeding these limits may require FDA clearance and could be seized at customs.

Regulated Import Products

These items can be included in a balikbayan box but may be subject to customs inspection:

• Cosmetics: regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Jewelry: regulated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Lamps and similar products: regulated by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS)
• Optical disk writers/drives, hard disk drives, DVD/CD recorders and duplicators: regulated by the Optical Media Board (OMB)
• Lighters for cigars and cigarettes: regulated by the BPS

Restricted Imports

Do not include these items. The Bureau of Customs is strict, and discovered restricted goods will not be returned to you:

• Drugs and narcotics (marijuana, opium, heroin, coca leaves, etc.)
• Gunpowder, dynamite, firearms, explosives, ammunition, and related parts
• Gambling devices and machines for distributing money, cigarettes, or similar products
• Roulette wheels, marked cards, and loaded dice
• Lottery and sweepstakes tickets
• Opium pipes and parts
• All other items restricted from import under Philippine law

A few other practical rules from the OFW community: do not put cash or cell phones in a balikbayan box. Cash is best sent via remittance services or bank transfer. Smartphones and gadgets are commonly flagged at customs due to battery regulations and high declared value, making them a poor fit for balikbayan box shipping.

What are the Other Conditions?

A 2017 Bureau of Customs policy requires the declaration of all brand new, valuable items in the box, with receipts. Used items and groceries do not need receipts but should still be listed on the declaration form.

If the total value of your box’s contents is ₱10,000 or less, it qualifies as De Minimis Importation and is exempt from duty and import tax. If it exceeds that amount, duties and taxes may apply.

The ₱150,000 duty and tax-free ceiling is not a per-box limit; it is the Bureau of Customs’ cumulative cap across all three balikbayan box shipments you can send each calendar year. Once your yearly total goes over ₱150,000, the excess value becomes subject to duties and taxes rather than being confiscated, though customs can hold a box until the assessment is paid.

Shipping Options

Balikbayan boxes can be shipped via sea or air cargo. Sea cargo takes at least one to two months and longer for destinations far from Manila. Air cargo is faster but more expensive. For non-urgent shipments, sea cargo is the standard choice among OFWs given the cost savings.

Best Companies for Sending Balikbayan Boxes

If there are Asian grocery stores in your area, check them for flyers from local shipping companies that specialize in balikbayan boxes. Most companies require a minimum deposit when you order a box. There is typically no maximum weight limit, but keep boxes under 200 kg for a mini box, and do not overload to prevent damage in transit.

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United Kingdom

• LBC Express. The most popular shipping company to the Philippines, with door-to-door delivery and automatic insurance coverage on every shipment.
• Highlight Express International Ltd. Door-to-door service with twin promos and six box sizes: bulilit, medium, large, jumbo, mega jumbo, and super jumbo.
• Pooten Forwarding. Door-to-door service. Estimated delivery: 8 weeks to Luzon; 10 weeks or more to Visayas or Mindanao.
• DHL Global Forwarding. Multiple locations in the UK. Priced higher than others but delivers in 1 to 7 days with door-to-door service.

United States

• LBC Express. Cheaper than UPS and FedEx for balikbayan boxes, with door-to-door delivery. LBC Mini boxes sent via airmail have been reported to arrive in Metro Manila in under 10 days.
• Forex Cargo. 30 years in balikbayan box service with door-to-door delivery. Six sizes available: red box, non-commercial box, forex blue 150, forex blue 300, forex blue 450, and jumbo box.
• Alas Cargo. Trusted option, though they do not deliver to some provinces. Website rates apply to boxes sent from Southern California and Nevada only.
• Umac Express Cargo. Customer reviews cite trustworthy and quick delivery, though package tracking is only available once the shipment reaches the Philippines.
• International Package Shipping. Delivers anywhere in the Philippines via affiliate Penanship. Premium express rates guarantee 4-day transit from loaded container to delivery.
• FedEx. Door-to-door service. Packages under 68 kg eligible for next-business-day delivery; packages over 68 kg delivered in 1 to 3 business days.

Canada

• LBC Mundial Cargo Corp. Multiple branches across Canada with reliable balikbayan box service to the Philippines.
• Air-ship International Inc.. Over 40 years in logistics; ships via air, sea, and land with quick delivery.
• Darna Cargo Express. Fast, hassle-free, and affordable; pickup is by scheduled arrangement. Rates range from CA$85 to CA$115.
• Triumph Express Service Canada Inc.. Founded in 1988; DTI-accredited with sea and air shipping and customs brokerage services.

Germany

• Malaya Balikbayan Box. DTI-accredited with travel insurance included on selected vessels traveling from Germany to Manila and Cebu. Rates: €75 to €110.
• Pinoy 24 Balikbayan Box Service. Door-to-door service with transparent online tracking. Rates: €90 to €150.
• Bens Balikbayan Box Service. Also handles household goods, donations, building materials, and full relocations to the Philippines. Rates: €74 to €150. Reachable via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or Facebook.

Australia

• Five Star Express. In business since 2004. Rates: AU$120 to AU$250. No bulky boxes and no door-to-door; pickup available at shipping lines or nearest bus terminal in your province.
• BM Express Australia. Over 20 years in logistics; air and sea cargo with door-to-door service. Rates: AU$100 to AU$180. Estimated delivery: 4 to 7 weeks depending on destination.
• Plus Cargo Global Forwarder. Sea and air cargo with reliable delivery. Rates: AU$80 to AU$200.

Japan

• Philippine Express Cargo D2D Services. Established in 2018 by LBP Customs Brokerage, a logistics company with over 20 years of experience. Ships via sea and air freight.

Hong Kong

• Alin Cargo Express Co., Ltd.. Many branches across the Philippines with door-to-door service. Rates: HK$250 to HK$1,050. Estimated delivery: 2 to 4 weeks.
• FFC International Company Limited. Over 30 years in service; ships via sea and air freight with door-to-door delivery.
• Royal Cargo Combined Logistics (HK) Limited. Over 40 years in logistics; ships by land, air, and sea freight. Check their website for current rates and delivery estimates.

How Much Does it Cost to Send a Balikbayan Box?

Balikbayan box shipping fees typically range from around ₱4,500 to ₱7,000. Sea cargo is not the fastest option, but it is the most cost-effective way to send large quantities of goods to the Philippines. Budget for the shipping fee before packing.

Approximate prices by box size and destination:

Destination	Small BBB	Medium BBB	Large BBB	Jumbo BBB
Metro Manila	US$40-US$70 / €60-€80	US$65-US$85 / €80-€95	US$70-US$115 / €90-€110	US$100-US$140 / €125-€145
Luzon	US$45-US$75 / €60-€80	US$70-US$90 / €90-€105	US$75-US$120 / €95-€120	US$110-US$150 / €115-€145
Visayas	US$45-US$75 / €50-€75	US$70-US$95 / €110-€120	US$80-US$130 / €110-€130	US$110-US$150 / €140-€160
Mindanao	US$45-US$85 / €55-€80	US$75-US$100 / €120-€135	US$95-US$140 / €120-€140	US$120-US$160 / €150-€170

Shipping rate is determined by box size and destination. The farther from Metro Manila, the higher the cost.

Sizes

Balikbayan boxes come in small, medium, large, and jumbo sizes. Most senders use the larger boxes to maximize value. Common dimensions:

• Small: 17.5″ x 9″ x 16″
• Medium: 18″ x 18″ x 24″
• Large: 24″ x 24″ x 18″
• Jumbo: 25″ x 23″ x 17″

Some carriers offer sizes larger than jumbo. Verify available sizes with your chosen courier before packing.

Weight

Most shipping companies charge a flat rate regardless of weight, so a box weighing 200 kg costs the same to ship as one weighing 50 kg. This is one of the main reasons balikbayan boxes are so popular: packing them full is always the best value. To avoid sending goods to the wrong direction, also check out options for shipping from the Philippines if you need to send things the other way.

Are There Things I Should be Wary of?

Since you will not be accompanying your box, you cannot monitor how it is handled. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Cut-Off Dates

Christmas is peak season for balikbayan box sending. Shipping companies strongly advise sending at least two months before Noche Buena (December 24). Fill and seal your box in advance and confirm cut-off dates with your carrier early.

With LBC Express, cut-off dates are typically in the first or second week of October for Luzon. Visayas and Mindanao cut-off dates are earlier. Sample cut-off dates as a reference:

Destination	Virginia Warehouse	California Warehouse	Texas Warehouse
NCR (Metro Manila)	October 18	November 1	October 8
North Luzon	October 11	October 25	October 1
South Luzon	October 18	November 1	October 1
Visayas	October 4	October 18	September 24
Mindanao	October 4	October 18	September 17
Islands	September 27	October 11	September 10

Loss of Goods or Items

Items can get lost if packaging is not secure. Use bubble wrap and sturdy tape for fragile items, and layer your packing carefully. High-value items are more vulnerable to theft during handling. FedEx is a more secure option for valuable shipments and includes insurance coverage for lost or stolen packages.

Fees at Customs

Custom fees can be steep, potentially as high as 150% of the original value of a flagged item. Keep your combined value across all three boxes under ₱150,000 for the year and stay within the three-per-year limit to maintain your duty-free status.

Illegal Shipments

Do not include restricted imports. Discovered contraband will not be returned and the loss is entirely on you. If you are ever unsure whether an item is allowed, check with the Bureau of Customs or your shipping company before packing.

Now, on to You

Balikbayan boxes are a practical and meaningful way to stay connected with family in the Philippines. Keep your documents in order, stay within the value and quantity limits, pack smartly to protect your items, and book your shipment early if you are sending before the holidays.

Whether you are also looking at sending money to the Philippines or need to know about shipping from the Philippines back to your home country, both options are covered in our Philippines guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a balikbayan box take to arrive in the Philippines?

Sea cargo is the standard option and takes six to twelve weeks door to door, depending on the courier, the season, and how far the destination is from Manila. Metro Manila and Luzon addresses tend to clear fastest; Visayas and Mindanao usually add two to four weeks because boxes transfer to a second carrier for inter-island delivery.

Air freight cuts this down to under two weeks in many cases, but at a much higher price per kilo. If you need broader freight options beyond the standard balikbayan box, check our guide to shipping to the Philippines.

Can a non-Filipino spouse send a balikbayan box tax-free?

No. The duty and tax exemption applies only to qualified Filipinos abroad: OFWs, Filipino citizens overseas on a temporary visa, and dual citizens. A non-Filipino spouse counts as an ordinary sender, so the shipment gets assessed like any other import above the ₱10,000 de minimis threshold.

The practical workaround most couples use is having the Filipino spouse listed as the sender of record on the Information Sheet, since the goods still need to be personal effects for family rather than commercial quantities. If you’re the one settling in the Philippines long-term, you’ll eventually want to open a bank account in the Philippines in your own name regardless of who ships the boxes.

What happens if my balikbayan box’s value goes over ₱150,000 in a year?

The ₱150,000 tax and duty-free ceiling is not a per-box limit. It’s the combined value of all three of your annual balikbayan box privileges added together, per the Bureau of Customs’ own guidelines.

Once your total for the year crosses ₱150,000, the excess amount becomes subject to duties and taxes; it doesn’t automatically mean the box gets confiscated, but customs can hold it until the assessment is paid. For a sense of scale, see our cost of living in the Philippines guide for what that amount is worth locally.

Can I pack an old phone, laptop, or other electronics in a balikbayan box?

Devices with a built-in battery, like a phone, laptop, or tablet, can usually go in a sea cargo balikbayan box, but couriers vary in how strict they are and some decline them outright. Loose lithium batteries and standalone power banks are a harder no across most carriers, especially for air freight, because of aviation and shipping rules on lithium cells.

Even when a courier allows electronics, expect closer customs scrutiny over the item’s declared value and battery content, so keep the receipt and declare it properly on the Information Sheet.

Is a balikbayan box a good option if I’m moving to the Philippines for good?

A balikbayan box works well for clothes, small appliances, and personal items, but it isn’t designed for a full household move. If you’re bringing furniture, several boxes of belongings, or need door-to-door logistics for an entire relocation, a dedicated moving or freight-forwarding service handles the volume better than stacking balikbayan boxes. Our guide to moving to the Philippines covers what to expect for a full relocation, including import rules for household goods that fall outside the balikbayan box program.

Can I send homemade or perishable food in a balikbayan box?

No. Only sealed, commercially packaged, non-perishable food, like canned goods, snacks, and instant noodles, is allowed, and processed food is capped at 10 kg under the hassle-free items list. Fresh produce, meat, cheese, and homemade dishes are blocked by Philippine agricultural quarantine rules regardless of quantity, since they can’t be verified as free of pests or spoilage after weeks in transit.

Will Philippine customs open and inspect my balikbayan box?

Balikbayan boxes routinely go through x-ray screening, and customs can flag a box for a physical inspection if the scan looks inconsistent with the declaration or if the shipment is randomly selected. Filling out the Information or Declaration Sheet accurately before you ship reduces the odds of a hold, since most delays come from undeclared or mismatched contents rather than random checks.

How do I pay for balikbayan box shipping?

Most couriers accept online payment by card or a local payment app when you book, and some let a relative in the Philippines pay the local delivery or customs fee on the receiving end. If you’re arranging deposits or fees from inside the Philippines, having a Philippines credit card on hand makes recurring shipments and any customs charges easier to settle than relying on cash pickup.

Sources Cited

• Bureau of Customs – BOC Guidelines on Balikbayan Boxes: Official primary source for the three-boxes-per-year rule, the ₱150,000 annual cumulative cap, qualified-sender categories, and the prohibited/restricted items list.
• Bureau of Customs – BOC Reiterates Guidelines on Duty and Tax-Free Balikbayan Boxes: Directly states the ₱150,000 figure is accumulated across the year and not per shipment, the basis for the correction below.
• Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), Section 423: Statutory basis for the ₱10,000 de minimis exemption on imported goods, confirming the figure the article cites is still the current threshold.
• Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), Sec. 800(g): Primary law setting the P150,000 duty/tax-free balikbayan box ceiling, the 3-times-per-year limit, and that excess value is taxed (not confiscated).

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