What to Keep in Mind?
Customs Regulations
Balikbayan boxes that you send to the Philippines using our Binger Balikbayan Service are subject to various regulations. Both the export regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany and the import regulations of the Republic of the Philippines must be observed. There are rules from the Philippine authorities for your citizens or former Filipino nationals living abroad (Balikbayan) who wish to send shipments to the Philippines without commercial purpose. Based on these regulations, the following prohibited items must not be included in a Balikbayan box:
- Valid currency and securities
- Perishable foods
- Spirits and perfumes
- Illegal medications and drugs
- Gasoline, paints, varnishes, solvents, and other flammable liquids
- Acids, filled car batteries
- Live animals and plants
- Human organs
- Weapons and ammunition, explosives
- Chemicals and radioactive materials
- Car tires, automobiles, motorcycles, vehicle spare parts of any kind
- Goods intended for resale as commercial merchandise
The customs authority always assumes commercial goods if twelve identical items are contained in one package.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure about the items you wish to send, please contact us or your local customs office.
These rules help you with packing your Balikbayan box
First, fold the two bottom flaps on the narrow side of the box inward, then fold the two bottom flaps on the long side also inward. Seal the entire bottom surface with smooth plastic adhesive film or plastic packing tape. Extend the ends at least a few centimeters up the side walls to provide some protection against moisture from the floor. Once you have filled the box, fold and seal the top flaps as described for the bottom. For a very heavy box, you should reinforce the bottom with a chipboard panel. Chipboard panels are available at most hardware stores.
- Do not overfill your Balikbayan box excessively. If boxes are bulging or artificially enlarged, the stability of the carton is compromised, and you may lose your insurance coverage against external transport damage. We also reserve the right to adjust prices according to the actual container space used.
- Containers with liquids should be additionally secured by taping the closure to prevent leakage.
- Although there is no weight limit for your box, you should avoid excessively heavy boxes. The box should be safe to lift by hand. During pick-up or delivery in the Philippines, lifting equipment is usually not available.
- Do not tie your box with wire, metal, or plastic straps, as this can damage your box by cutting into it. In addition, cords or straps pose a safety risk for our staff. Use plastic packing tape or adhesive film instead.
- You should carefully and precisely list the contents of your box on our packing list. Each Balikbayan box requires its own packing list.
- Items with export restrictions from Germany or import restrictions from the Philippines may not be shipped. There are special regulations for Balikbayan boxes that you must follow. A list of prohibited items can be found in our customs regulations. Any consequences for violations are your responsibility.
- The sender and recipient addresses should be written with a smudge-proof marker clearly on the lid and on the end panel. Including a separate note with the addresses inside the box is also recommended.
Customer Information
Due to recent circumstances, we would like to inform our Binger Balikbayan Service customers about an additional service that has caused confusion for some customers.
We at Binger Balikbayan Service include four rolls of stretch film in every container. These are used to individually wrap your packages, which still need to be transported by sea or may be exposed to rain in certain regions, from our warehouse in Manila, to protect against moisture. This protective film is not a sign that your Balikbayan box has been tampered with, but an additional service to protect your goods. Unfortunately, we can only apply this service in Manila and not during pick-up, as otherwise the boxes in the container would stick together.
Unfortunately, this service has sometimes been misunderstood by individual customers.
To ensure the safety of your box, we conduct quality inspections. If our inspection finds that your packaging is not adequate, we rework your packaging to ensure your goods are safely packed. During the incoming inspection, we take photos of your box and record its weight. Photos are also taken when the container is unloaded and when the box is delivered to the recipient. Your boxes are therefore under constant supervision by us.
