If you move here, you'll eventually need to send stuff from home. Enter the Balikbayan Box.

How it Works

Freight forwarders (like LBC, Atlas, Forex) sell you a standard-sized box. You fill it with whatever you want—canned goods, clothes, electronics, appliances (non-commercial quantities)—and they ship it door-to-door for a flat fee. Weight doesn't matter, only size.

Timelines

Shipping via sea freight takes 6-8 weeks from the US or Europe. It's incredibly cheap and reliable. Air freight is faster (1 week) but much more expensive.

Customs

For personal effects, customs duties are usually waived or minimal under the Balikbayan privilege, but rules can change, so always check with your shipper.