Balikbayan box
Encyclopedia
A balikbayan box is a ubiquitous corrugated box containing any number of small items and sent by an overseas Filipino
known as a "balikbayan". Though often shipped by freight forwarders
specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by Filipinos returning to the Philippines
by air.
These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items hard to find in the Philippines.
A balikbayan box intended for air travel is designed to conform to airline luggage restrictions and many Filipino stores carry them. Some boxes come with a cloth cover and side handles. Others are tightly secured with tape or rope, and thus not confused with an ordinary moving box more lightly wrapped.
The balikbayan boxes come in three standard sizes:
Shipped boxes are delivered directly to the recipient, nearly always the family of the overseas Filipino.
Part of the attraction of the balikbayan box is economic. If the items were sent individually
or in smaller boxes through postal services, the cost could be significant. The tradeoff is a
long transit time by container ships, typically taking several weeks, and the lack of a solid delivery date.
Another part of the attraction is the cultural expectation that returning travelers will bring gifts to family, friends and colleagues left behind in the Philippines
. In this way, it is related to the practice of "pasalubong
".
Balikbayan box started with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos
during the 1980s during the resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed the entry of personal goods to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas, tax free. This was done by asking friends and co-workers who were coming home to the Philippines
to bring gifts with them.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in New York by Mr. Monet Ungco, who founded Port Jersey Shipping. Two months later, Mr. Rico Nunga started REN International, based in Los Angeles, CA.
Balikbayan Box shipping has evolved and in 1989, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and coined it jumbo box. After Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
A balikbayan box (Filipino luggage) is a ubiquitous corrugated box containing any number of small items and sent by an overseas Filipino known as a "balikbayan". Though often shipped by freight forwarders specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by
Filipinos returning to the Philippines by air.[1]
These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items hard to find in the Philippines.[2]
A balikbayan box intended for air travel is designed to conform to airline luggage restrictions
and many Filipino stores carry them. Some boxes come with a cloth cover and side handles. Others are tightly secured with tape or rope, and thus not confused with an ordinary moving box more lightly wrapped.
The balikbayan boxes come in three standard sizes:[3]
Medium: 18 x 16 x 18 inches
Large: 18 x 18 x 24 inches
Extra large: 24 x 18 x 24 inches
Shipped boxes are delivered directly to the recipient, nearly always the family of the
overseas Filipino.
Part of the attraction of the balikbayan box is economic. If the items were sent
individually or in smaller boxes through postal services, the cost could be significant. The tradeoff is a long transit time by container ships, typically taking several weeks, and the lack
of a solid delivery date.
Another part of the attraction is the cultural expectation that returning travelers will bring gifts to family, friends and colleagues left behind in the Philippines. In this way, it is related to the practice of "pasalubong".
Balikbayan box started with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during the 1980s during the resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed the entry of personal goods to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas, tax free. This was done by asking friends and co-workers who were coming home to the Philippines
to bring gifts with them.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in New York by Mr. Monet Ungco, who founded Port Jersey Shipping. Two months later, Mr. Rico Nunga started REN International, based in Los Angeles, CA.
Balikbayan Box shipping has evolved and in 1989, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and coined it jumbo box. After Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
In the last quarter of 2010, the balikbayan box industry in the USA was scrutinized by the US Department of Homeland Security. Almost all shipments have been delayed and extra fee was levied
on all balikbayan box shipping companies. Balikbayan box companies organized Pilipino American Shipper's Association to help the government and the consumers in policing the balikbayan box industry against unlicensed companies.
Consumers worldwide are advised to check the balikbayan box companies accreditation with US Federal Maritime Commission ( www.fmc.gov ) and Philippine's Shipper's Bureau ( www.dti.gov.ph ) before patronizing any company. One may also visit (PASA)Pilipino American Shippers Association facebook page at www.facebook.com/PASAoftheUSA .
Overseas Filipino
An Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies both to people of Filipino ancestry who are citizens or residents of a different country and to those Filipino citizens abroad on a more temporary status.Most overseas Filipinos migrate to...
known as a "balikbayan". Though often shipped by freight forwarders
Freight forwarder
A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or other companies and may also act as a carrier...
specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by Filipinos returning to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
by air.
These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items hard to find in the Philippines.
A balikbayan box intended for air travel is designed to conform to airline luggage restrictions and many Filipino stores carry them. Some boxes come with a cloth cover and side handles. Others are tightly secured with tape or rope, and thus not confused with an ordinary moving box more lightly wrapped.
The balikbayan boxes come in three standard sizes:
- Medium: 18 x 16 x 18 inches
- Large: 18 x 18 x 24 inches
- Extra large: 24 x 18 x 24 inches
Shipped boxes are delivered directly to the recipient, nearly always the family of the overseas Filipino.
Part of the attraction of the balikbayan box is economic. If the items were sent individually
or in smaller boxes through postal services, the cost could be significant. The tradeoff is a
long transit time by container ships, typically taking several weeks, and the lack of a solid delivery date.
Another part of the attraction is the cultural expectation that returning travelers will bring gifts to family, friends and colleagues left behind in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. In this way, it is related to the practice of "pasalubong
Pasalubong
Pasalubong is the Filipino tradition of a homecoming gift. The word is Tagalog, literally meaning "[something] meant for you when you welcome me back." It is one of the most distinctive and widely practiced Filipino traditions. Pasalubong can be any gift or souvenir brought for family, loved ones,...
".
Balikbayan box started with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
during the 1980s during the resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed the entry of personal goods to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas, tax free. This was done by asking friends and co-workers who were coming home to the Philippines
to bring gifts with them.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in New York by Mr. Monet Ungco, who founded Port Jersey Shipping. Two months later, Mr. Rico Nunga started REN International, based in Los Angeles, CA.
Balikbayan Box shipping has evolved and in 1989, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and coined it jumbo box. After Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
See also
- Overseas FilipinoOverseas FilipinoAn Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies both to people of Filipino ancestry who are citizens or residents of a different country and to those Filipino citizens abroad on a more temporary status.Most overseas Filipinos migrate to...
- Padala
A balikbayan box (Filipino luggage) is a ubiquitous corrugated box containing any number of small items and sent by an overseas Filipino known as a "balikbayan". Though often shipped by freight forwarders specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by
Filipinos returning to the Philippines by air.[1]
These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items hard to find in the Philippines.[2]
A balikbayan box intended for air travel is designed to conform to airline luggage restrictions
and many Filipino stores carry them. Some boxes come with a cloth cover and side handles. Others are tightly secured with tape or rope, and thus not confused with an ordinary moving box more lightly wrapped.
The balikbayan boxes come in three standard sizes:[3]
Medium: 18 x 16 x 18 inches
Large: 18 x 18 x 24 inches
Extra large: 24 x 18 x 24 inches
Shipped boxes are delivered directly to the recipient, nearly always the family of the
overseas Filipino.
Part of the attraction of the balikbayan box is economic. If the items were sent
individually or in smaller boxes through postal services, the cost could be significant. The tradeoff is a long transit time by container ships, typically taking several weeks, and the lack
of a solid delivery date.
Another part of the attraction is the cultural expectation that returning travelers will bring gifts to family, friends and colleagues left behind in the Philippines. In this way, it is related to the practice of "pasalubong".
Balikbayan box started with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos during the 1980s during the resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed the entry of personal goods to the Philippines from Filipinos overseas, tax free. This was done by asking friends and co-workers who were coming home to the Philippines
to bring gifts with them.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in New York by Mr. Monet Ungco, who founded Port Jersey Shipping. Two months later, Mr. Rico Nunga started REN International, based in Los Angeles, CA.
Balikbayan Box shipping has evolved and in 1989, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and coined it jumbo box. After Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
In the last quarter of 2010, the balikbayan box industry in the USA was scrutinized by the US Department of Homeland Security. Almost all shipments have been delayed and extra fee was levied
on all balikbayan box shipping companies. Balikbayan box companies organized Pilipino American Shipper's Association to help the government and the consumers in policing the balikbayan box industry against unlicensed companies.
Consumers worldwide are advised to check the balikbayan box companies accreditation with US Federal Maritime Commission ( www.fmc.gov ) and Philippine's Shipper's Bureau ( www.dti.gov.ph ) before patronizing any company. One may also visit (PASA)Pilipino American Shippers Association facebook page at www.facebook.com/PASAoftheUSA .