What is Not Allowed in a Balikbayan Box?

You can send anything as long as it is within bounds of the law. You need to remember these three classifications of items: hassle-free items, regulated import products, and restricted imports. The following information came from the Bureau of Customs, so you should keep it in mind for smooth shipping.

Hassle-Free Items 

These are things that can be brought or sent to the Philippines without the need for a clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following are for personal use only and must follow the allowed quantity set by the FDA:

• Childcare belongings must be no more than 5kg

• Toys cannot exceed 10kg

• Perfumes should be 5 pieces or less

• Lipsticks have a maximum of 10 pieces

• Shampoo, lotion, and bar soaps must not exceed 2kg each

• Assorted cosmetics must be 1kg or less

• Hazardous household products must be 5kg in total

• Vitamins and supplements should be 500g or less in total

• Processed food for a maximum of 10kg

• Liquor and wine cannot be more than 2 bottles that are not more than 1.5L each

Regulated Import Products

Here are the products that you can put in your balikbayan box and send to the Philippines. However, they could be subject to Customs inspection because they are regulated, as follows:

• 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 recorder, duplicators – Regulated by the Optical Media Board (OMB)

• Lighters for cigars and cigarettes – Regulated by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS)

Restricted Imports

These are things that you should not include in your balikbayan boxes. The Bureau of Customs is extremely strict when it comes to illegal materials that come in balikbayan boxes such as:

• Drugs and narcotics like marijuana, opium, heroin, coca leaves, and more

• Gunpowder, dynamite, firearms, explosives, ammunition, and related things as well as parts thereof

• Gambling devices and machines used for the distribution of money, cigars, cigarettes, and related products

• Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, marked cards, and loaded dice

• Lottery and sweepstakes tickets

• Opium pipes and their parts regardless of material

• Everything that is restricted from being imported

Being aware of what  you can and cannot send helps you avoid sending restricted goods that can result in heavy fines and even criminal charges.

What are the Other Conditions?

Back in 2017, the Bureau of Customs implemented a new policy made to particularly address the illegal importation of goods in the country. This new policy requires the declaration of brand-new, valuable items included in the box, complete with a receipt. Less valuable things like used items and groceries do not need receipts but should also be included in the declaration form. 

You do not have to worry about the new policy because it does not affect your ability to send a BBB to the Philippines. However, you should take note of the total worth of the items included in your balikbayan box. 

If the content of your box is worth ₱10,000 and below, then it will be classified as De Minimis Importation — meaning, it is exempted from duty and importation tax. If it does exceed the amount, then you may have to pay for duty and import tax. 

In addition to that, your balikbayan box should not be worth more than ₱150,000 ($3,000 or €2,500) in value. That is the maximum amount your box should be worth or else it will not be delivered or worse, confiscated.

 

 

Shipping Options

Your balikbayan box can only be shipped through sea cargo with Frog at present.  Expect at least two months from the date it leaves port in the United States for your package to arrive. You should also expect that the estimated time of arrival can be longer if the shipping address is far from the country’s capital city Manila. Since you are now informed about what you can put inside your balikbayan box, you can now explore the different shipping options available to you.

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