It’s
this time of the year that Filipinos around the world send parcels and
packages to their loved ones to and from the Philippines and other
countries. Filipinos are known to have the longest
Christmas season celebration and a way to express their love for their
families and friends is through sending of gifts in balikbayan boxes.
The
anticipation of loved ones is high when they know that they will
receive gifts from their families and friends from distant places. That’s why one can only imagine their frustration when the much-awaited balikbayan box was delayed or not received at all.
For
the past several months, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
received quite a number of complaints on the delay, nondelivery and
damage of balikbayan boxes. The DTI, through its Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB), assisted many of the complainants who were able to acquire their balikbayan boxes but after a long wait.
Thus, the DTI-PSB provides a list of frequently asked questions to properly guide the consumers on shipping their balikbayan boxes especially this Christmas season.
FAQs:
Q. How much are the shipping rates of balikbayan boxes? How long is the transit time from origin to destination?
A. There are various rates for shipping of different sizes of balikbayan boxes. Below is a sample rate for a standard size balikbayan box (24”x24”x24”) and transit time from origin to destination.
Q. Where are most balikbayan boxes coming from?
A. OFWs and other Filipinos living abroad from these countries have the large number of packages sent through balikbayan boxes.
- Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar)
- the USA
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Italy
- UK
- Korea
Q. What are the common complaints received by the DTI-PSB regarding balikbayan boxes?
A. Most of the complaints on balikbayan boxes are:
- nondelivery or failure to deliver balikbayan boxes
- pilferage of balikbayan box
- overcharging
- damaged cargo
Q. How does one file a complaint with the DTI-PSB?
A. Complainants
should submit a written complaint with documentary evidences such as
official receipts, cargo receipts, bills of lading, shippers’
declaration, way bills, etc.
Q. How does the DTI-PSB handle these complaints?
A. The DTI-PSB has a mediation and arbitration unit which handles/resolves the above complaints.
Q. What are the tips in shipping balikbayan boxes?
A. The following are few tips to ensure that your balikbayan boxes reach its destination.
- Organize all the things you want to send through a balikbayan box. This would give you an idea on the size of box you would need to use. Check out how much shipping would cost per box size (door-to-door charges, other fees, if any).
- Book your boxes only with PSB-accredited sea cargo consolidator/freight forwarder companies. These companies normally have Philippine counterparts which must have an accreditation from the DTI-PSB if by sea, or from Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines (Caap) if by air. Senders may verify the company name of Philippine seafreight forwarder counterpart at www.dti.gov.ph under the Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation section or thru our Philippine Consulate Office abroad.
- Beware of exceptionally very low rates. Most complaints for non-delivery involve cargo shipments that usually charge very low door-to-door rates. In these cases, the foreign principals do not have enough funds to bear the cost of transporting the cargoes, compounded by their failure to remit releasing and delivery funds to their Philippine breakbulk agent, causing the shipments to be abandoned at the ports.
- Declare your shipment by accomplishing a detailed packing list stating all the contents of your box and value of shipment, per item if possible as well as your preferred shipping date. Inquire for proper or standard (or extraordinary, if needed) packing, wrapping, strapping, sealing and labelling requirements of your box.
- Secure transport documents such as cargo receipt (or Official Receipt) for fees paid, and Bill of Lading—a document issued by a transportation carrier to the shipper as proof that they have received the cargo shipment and have placed them on board a particular vessel for delivery to a particular destination. It also states the transport terms in which the received cargo shipments are to be carried and delivered.
- Get the name and contact details of the forwarder’s agent in the Philippines. Be sure that these information are clearly indicated in the transport document and/or receipt.
- Monitor the movement of your cargo from origin to destination to make sure it is being shipped and delivered. You may inquire for a tracking scheme or continuously contact the forwarding company. You may ask them to provide you details such as the name of shipping line, vessel’s name, voyage number, container number, and expected time of departure and arrival of your cargo/package.
- Inform your consignee to check your cargo with the Philippine freight forwarding agent even before it arrives. When it does, make sure to inspect the seal and wrapping of the box before signing the delivery receipt. If you observe that has been tampered with, do not receive the cargo/package and ask the delivery agent to have it double-checked.
- If you encounter pilferage or lost item, or nondelivery, file an immediate claim or complaint with the freight forwarder’s customer service. You may also lodge your complaint directly to the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau at 2nd Floor, DTI Building, 361 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or call the DTI-Direct (02) 751-3330 for assistance.
Q. What items that should not be sent through balikbayan boxes?
A. The following items are not allowed to be included in the box:
- Currencies, checks, money orders and traveler’s checks;
- Jewelries;
- Firearms, ammunitions and explosives;
- Prohibited drugs and other substances;
- Pornographic materials, gambling cards and toy guns; and
- Pirated products i.e., dvd, cd, tapes, etc.
Q. What sanctions/penalties may PSB impose on freight forwarders violating PSB policies on balikbayan boxes?
A. PSB may impose monetary fines, suspension or cancellation of accreditation pursuant to Administrative Order 6 Series of 2005.
For more information, call DTI Direct 751-3330 or visit www.dti.gov.ph
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