How to Send a Balikbayan Box to the Philippines: A Complete Guide

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A balikbayan box is a meaningful way for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipinos living abroad to support their families back home.

This guide explains how to choose the right box, courier, and shipping option, with practical tips on costs, packing, customs, tracking, and delivery. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

Table of contents
Balikbayan box overview Shipping costs Box sizes What to pack How to send a box Choose a courier Pack your box Shipping documents Pickup or drop-off Tracking your box Delivery time Send money with Wise

What is a balikbayan box?

A balikbayan box is a large, durable cardboard shipping box used by Filipinos living or working abroad to send a variety of goods to their families in the Philippines.

The term balikbayan comes from two Filipino words: balik, meaning “return,” and bayan, meaning “home” or “town.” Together, balikbayan means “return to the homeland.”

Balikbayan boxes are closely tied to the Filipino tradition of pasalubong, in which travelers bring home gifts or souvenirs for loved ones. The box reflects the idea that even if a person cannot return home yet, their presence and care “return” through what they send.

The balikbayan box has become a powerful symbol of love, sacrifice, and connection, helping maintain strong family ties across long distances. These boxes are typically shipped by sea or air freight and are commonly sent in the lead-up to:

• Christmas
• Other holidays
• Birthdays
• Back-to-school season

How much does it cost to send a balikbayan box?

The cost of sending a balikbayan box can vary quite a bit. For instance, the country you’re sending it from and the destination within the Philippines both affect the price. Shipping to major cities like Manila is often cheaper than sending to more remote provincial areas.

Other factors that affect the cost include the box’s size and weight, the courier you choose, and the type of service. Sea freight is generally the most affordable option, while air freight is faster but significantly more expensive.

Below are some typical sea freight prices for sending balikbayan boxes from countries with large Filipino migrant populations:

Country	Small box (USD)	Medium box (USD)	Large box (USD)	XL box (USD)
EU²	From 65	From 106	From 117	From 135
United States³	From 47	From 74	From 96	From 115
United Kingdom⁴	From 94	From 108	From 148	From 168⁵
United Arab Emirates⁶	From 33	From 38	From 50	From 76
Japan⁷	N/A	N/A	From 50	From 76
Singapore⁸	From 62	From 74	From 93	From 117

*Prices shown are indicative and based on one courier per country.

In most cases, personal items sent in balikbayan boxes are not subject to taxes. However, customs duties may apply to high-value, commercial, or restricted items.

Choosing the right balikbayan box size

Balikbayan boxes come in a variety of sizes, which can differ slightly depending on the cargo company. Common size labels include Small, Medium, Standard, Large, Jumbo, and XL.

However, it’s important to focus on the actual dimensions rather than the size names, as what one shipper labels as “Small” may be considered “Medium” by another.

To give you an example, LVM Cargo offers the following box sizes⁹:

• Small: 54 × 41 × 37 cm (21.3 × 16.1 × 14.6 in)
• Medium: 70 × 42 × 54 cm (27.6 × 16.5 × 21.3 in)
• Large: 72 × 48 × 57 cm (28.3 × 18.9 × 22.4 in)
• XL: 80 × 53 × 57 cm (31.5 × 20.9 × 22.4 in)

These dimensions are fairly typical for balikbayan boxes. That said, smaller and larger options may be available.

For instance, Atlas Shippers offers a JR box measuring just 18 × 8 × 8 in (45.7 × 20.3 × 20.3 cm),¹⁰ while Balikbayan Box UK offers the Jumbo Box Max⁵, which measures 34 × 26 × 22 in (86.4 × 66 × 55.9 cm).

When deciding which box size is right for you, consider the following:

• How many items you want to send
• How bulky certain items are
• The box sizes available from cargo companies near you
• Whether there is a weight limit
• Your budget

Before buying a box, you can pile everything you plan to send on the floor, stack it into a rough box shape, and measure the pile (length × width × height). This will give you a reasonable estimate of the box size you’ll need.

What to put inside a balikbayan box

A balikbayan box is often treated as a large-scale, long-distance form of pasalubong, the Filipino tradition of bringing home gifts or treats for family and friends after traveling.

While balikbayan boxes can be filled with almost anything, they are typically packed with items from a few common categories, such as:

• Food and snacks: Chocolates, candies, biscuits, coffee, tea, instant noodles, cereals, chips, canned foods
• Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion
• Clothing: T-shirts, jeans, pajamas, jackets, underwear, socks, shoes, slippers, bags, wallets, caps
• Kids' items: Toys, books, games, souvenirs, school supplies, diapers, baby wipes
• Household items: Kitchen utensils, food containers, towels, bed sheets, blankets, tumblers, rice cooker, hair dryer
• Electronics: Phone chargers, cables, earphones, Bluetooth speakers, smartwatches, tablets

Avoid sending anything illegal or dangerous, and do not include items prohibited by Philippine customs or by your chosen cargo company, such as perishable food, plants or seeds, live animals, cash, high-value jewelry, alcohol, and medicines without prescriptions.¹⁰

Sending these items may cause your box to be delayed or confiscated.

How to send a balikbayan box

Following these key steps will help make the process smooth from pickup to delivery in the Philippines.

Step 1: Choose a reliable courier

The first and most important step is selecting a reputable courier that specializes in balikbayan shipping.

Some well-known and widely used balikbayan box couriers include:

• LBC Express
• Forex Cargo
• Atlas Shippers
• JohnnyAir
• Makati Express

While some of these companies operate internationally across multiple countries, you’ll need to check which providers serve your specific location. It’s also worth researching reputable local couriers specializing in balikbayan box shipping to ensure you’re choosing the best option.

When comparing couriers, consider the following:

• Pickup vs. drop-off: Some couriers offer home pickup, while others require you to drop off the box at a service center.
• Delivery time: Sea cargo is more affordable but takes several weeks. Some couriers offer air cargo, which is faster but more expensive.
• Tracking: Look for providers that offer tracking so you can monitor your box’s progress.

The Philippine Bureau of Customs warns consumers to beware of balikbayan box shipping providers offering exceptionally low rates.

Step 2: Prepare and pack your box

Most balikbayan box couriers provide the box itself. Many will deliver an empty box to your address for free or for a small fee, while others allow you to pick it up from a branch or service center.

Proper packing is essential to protect your items during transit. Best practices include:

• Protect fragile items by wrapping them in bubble wrap, towels, or clothing.
• Balance the weight evenly to prevent the box from tipping or collapsing.
• Fill empty spaces to reduce movement inside the box.
• Label clearly with the recipient’s full name, address, and contact number.
• Keep a list of contents for your own reference and for customs declaration purposes.

Step 3: Complete basic shipping documentation

Most balikbayan box shipments require only simple documentation. This typically includes:

• A customs declaration form provided by the courier, listing the contents and estimated values of your items¹¹
• Any courier-specific forms required for shipping and tracking

Be honest and clear when listing items, as accurate declarations help prevent delays or issues with customs once the box arrives in the Philippines.

Step 4: Pickup or drop-off

After packing and completing the paperwork, you’ll either schedule a home pickup or bring the box to a designated service center. Many people prefer door-to-door pickup, especially when sending large or multiple boxes, as it eliminates the need for travel and heavy lifting.

Once collected, the courier will transport your balikbayan box by sea or air, depending on the service you choose. Most balikbayan box couriers then deliver the package directly to the recipient’s home in the Philippines.

Tracking your balikbayan box

Most reputable balikbayan box couriers provide a tracking number so you can monitor your shipment from dispatch to delivery. You can use this number to check the shipment status on the courier’s website.

Common tracking status updates may include messages such as:

• Shipment is being loaded
• Shipment has arrived at the origin port
• Shipment has left port and is on its way to the Philippines
• Shipment has arrived at the Manila warehouse
• Shipment received by the delivery team¹²

For sea freight shipments, tracking updates may appear less frequently than they do for air cargo or express parcels. If your tracking status doesn’t change for a while, there’s usually no need to worry.

Delays are common with sea cargo and don’t necessarily indicate a problem. They’re often caused by port congestion, customs processing, weather conditions, or high demand during peak seasons.

If you’re concerned or need clarification, contact the courier directly and provide your tracking or reference number.

How long does a balikbayan box take to arrive?

For sea cargo, delivery typically takes between 30 and 70 days (approximately 4 to 10 weeks). Air freight is much faster, with delivery often taking around 7 to 10 days.¹³,¹⁴ Your courier will provide an estimated delivery time window.

Keep in mind that deliveries to provincial or remote areas in the Philippines may take longer. If your recipient is outside major cities, it may take some extra time.

Sending a balikbayan box and money home? Use Wise for low-cost transfers

Balikbayan boxes are a meaningful way to send goods home, but many families also rely on regular financial support for daily expenses, school fees, or emergencies.

The Wise account can be a helpful companion for Filipinos living abroad.

The Wise account is an easy way to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, including PHP, USD, CNY, and more. All you need to do is create a free account to get started.

With Wise, you can exchange currencies at the mid-market rate each time, with low, transparent conversion fees from 0.57% and absolutely no markups. Plus, you can order a Wise card for convenient spending at the same great rate, without any foreign transaction fees. At times you need cash, you can also make up to 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 12,000 PHP when you're overseas. You'll even get 8+ local account details to get paid conveniently to your Wise account in PHP and a selection of other major global currencies.

Sending money or making payments abroad? Wise also offers fast, low cost transfers to 140+ countries - you can track your transfer in your account and your recipient will also be notified when a transfer reaches them.

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Sources:

1. UN Migration Network Working Group ToR FINAL Jan. 2020
2. LVM Cargo - Pricing and Promos
3. Sea Cargo USA to Philippines | US Shipping to Philippines | PinoyBoxDelivery
4. BM Express United Kingdom
5. Balikbayan Box UK Ltd. We bring it home with care
6. UAE new price - Makati Express Cargo
7. Products | Balikbayan Box by Kenshin Hako
8. Rates | BM Express Singapore
9. LVM Cargo - Balikbayan boxes
10. FAQs — Atlas Shippers International, Inc. - Send Balikbayan Boxes
11. Bureau of Customs
12. Sea Freight Services | Sea Cargo from Italy to the Philippines | LBC Express
13. HOW TO SHIP BALIKBAYAN BOX FROM USA TO PHILIPPINES | WHO CAN SEND, COST, WEIGHT LIMIT AND TRACKING
14. Shipping Services FAQs | LBC Express
15. Balikbayan Box by Forex eShip