What are the Philippine customs Regulations for Balikbayan boxes?

Laws for sending a balikbayan box

According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), for your balikbayan box to be tax or duty-free, you must be a Qualified Filipino and the total value of the items you send throughout the year should be less than Php 150,000. Anything in excess is subject to duty, VAT and excise tax.

Do balikbayan boxes go through Customs?

Anyone can send Balikbayan Boxes to the Philippines, even Corporations, Partnerships and Sole Proprietors. But only a Qualified Filipino While Abroad¹ can avail of the tax and duty-free privilege of balikbayan boxes under Section 800 (g) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

What are the requirements or rules in order for balikbayan boxes to be exempt from Customs duties?

What items are not allowed in balikbayan box?

What is the weight limit for balikbayan box?

In accordance to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter VI specifications on the Gross Mass Weight Requirement of Containers, Atlas Shippers East (ASE) needs to implement a weight of around 130 - 150 lbs. maximum for each balikbayan box.

BOC Guidelines on Balikbayan Boxes

Are Balikbayan boxes inspected?

3.1 Balikbayan Boxes of OFWs shall not be subjected to random or arbitrary physical inspection. Instead they shall only undergo mandatory X-ray scanning.

How many Balikbayan boxes can I send in a year?

There is no limit to the number of Balikbayan Boxes that you can send per shipment but the size of the boxes must be no bigger than . 20 cbm (about the size of an XL box) and the total value should not be more than Php 150,000.00 in a calendar year.

Is cellphone allowed in balikbayan box?

It is strongly advisable not to send any cell phones (mobile phones), laptops, gadgets and other electronic devices in the Balikbayan box.

What is prohibited to ship to Philippines?

Articles of high/unusual value. Biological substances, Category B and exempt human or animal specimens. Dangerous goods. Firearms and weapons (including inert and replica explosive weapons)

How long will it take to send balikbayan box to Philippines from USA?

The shipping of the Balikbayan boxes usually takes around 8 to 12 weeks depending on the season.

Do I have to pay customs for package from USA to Philippines?

Duties & taxes when shipping to Philippines from the US

Additionally, you will also need to pay customs duty on imports to the Philippines. This is calculated as a percentage of the import's cost, insurance, and freight.

What is the new balikbayan box law?

Under this section, "residents of the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers, other Filipinos while residing abroad or in their return to the Philippines shall be allowed to bring in or send to their families or relatives in the Philippines balikbayan boxes which shall be exempt from duties and taxes."

What items need to be declared at customs Philippines?

Firearms and parts thereof, any types of replicas, explosives and ammunition. All plants, planting materials, fruits and vegetables, regardless of quantity, requires Import Permit/Authority to Import and needs to be declared upon arrival.

Does customs open your box?

No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.

Do all packages go through customs Philippines?

All articles, when imported to the Philippines, are subject to duty upon each importation, even though previously exported there except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended, or in other laws.

How much tax do I pay on balikbayan box?

Contents in balikbayan boxes are exempt from taxes provided they don't exceed more than P150,000 in total value. 3. Declaration of goods is important because it is for the “protection” of the sender, to ensure that the parcel gets delivered.

What items are not allowed in cargo?

What is not allowed in packages?

Domestically Prohibited Items

Ammunition. Explosives. Gasoline. Marijuana (medical or otherwise); hemp/CBD is allowed, but restricted.

What are the things not allowed by customs?

Wild birds, land or marine mammals, reptiles, fish, shellfish, mollusks or invertebrates; Any part or product of the above, such as skins, tusks, bone, feathers, or eggs; or. Products or articles manufactured from wildlife or fish.

How much does it cost to send balikbayan box from USA to Philippines?

Current rates per Large Box, picked up at your door and shipped to: Metro Manila – $110. Luzon – $110. Visayas – $110.

What are the privileges of a balikbayan?

The program allows visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year for foreign passport holders, with the exception of restricted nationals.

Can Customs check your phone?

Unlike other law enforcement, border authorities don't need a warrant to search your device. They may conduct a basic search — in which they scroll through your device inspecting texts, photos or anything else they can easily access — even if they don't suspect you of wrongdoing.

Can balikbayan stay in Philippines longer than 30 days?

EXTENSION OF STAY

Visitors who are admitted as balikbayan are given an initial stay of one (1) year. Their stay may be extended for an additional one (1), two (2) or six (6) months at the Visa Extension Section of a Bureau of immigration office.

What is the maximum amount you can send to the Philippines?

Failing to report large transfers can cost both you and your recipient. Updated Dec 29, 2022 . What changed? Regardless of whether you're sending cash or a direct bank deposit, transfers over $10,000 need to be reported to the US government, and transfers over ₱250,000 will need to be reported in the Philippines, too.

What are the rules for shipping boxes?