What size Balikbayan boxes do you fly with?

[Ugly_American 11]

I've found a few older posts, but none that specifically address a few questions i have.

I know every time i fly to Phil nearly every passenger has 2 balikbayan boxes, and as I recall they seem reasonably large. This time i'm bringing two balikbayan boxes instead of my heavier luggage. I purchased two 20x20x20 boxes. Thinking that it was the size they were bringing. Reading up on the Philippine Airlines website we're restricted to 107" for total dimensions. 20x20x20 = 60" 60"x2 = 120"

1. How much would they charge me for a 13" excess? I won't have weight excess, only dimension.

2. It's not too late and i could still go buy 18x18x18 boxes, but total dimensions of those two boxes would still be 108 inches, 1 inch over excess. Do most travelers use the 18x18x18 and pay for the extra 1"?

Thanks! I just want to get it right, ideally without extra charges, especially is the extra charges are exorbitant.

Edited March 7, 2011 by Ugly_American

[crystal01 29]

Good you posted this. I am wondering as well. I will be using these in lieu of luggages to maximize the weight allowance. It's hard to put my life in 2 boxes! lol I will certainly have to pay for an extra box but I'd love to know the size restrictions of the ubiquitous balikbayan boxes

[sea-monkey 13]

Home Depot's medium box is 18 in. x 18 in. x 16 in. and its only $.97 cents.

http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization-Moving-Supplies-Boxes/h_d1/N-5yc1vZas3a/R-202029360/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

lowes has the same thing..

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=167368-33-1211260&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3265417&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=sim&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

[Messybrownhair 251]

It's not worth it to pay for excess due to large boxes. It's like 75 dollars more for nothing, even if the weight is in the normal limit. Better to just get a smaller box and have it be overweight, most airlines will just charge $50. It really depends on the airline, check their guidelines

[Dan and Judy 614]

http://www.philippineairlines.com/products_and_services/all_about_baggage/excess_baggage_rates/excess_baggage_rates.jsp

Between Philippines/Asia/Europe/Middle East and Honolulu/Las Vegas/Los Angeles/San Francisco - USD150

Except between Philippines/Australia/Japan/Korea/Abu Dhabi (code share flights)/Saudi Arabia and USA/Canada (excluding Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco) -USD 200/CAD200 From Philippines/Asia/ Europe/Middle East to Vancouver - USD 150 / CAD 150 From Vancouver to Philippines/Asia/ Europe/Middle East - CAD200/ USD200 Between Canada (except Vancouver) and Philippines/Asia/Europe/Middle East - CAD 225/USD225 An applicable charge for "bulky baggage" will be collected. Please call our reservations or sales office for more information and assistance.

Note: Excess baggage rates may change without prior notice. Excess Valuation

By paying a corresponding excess valuation charge, a passenger’s checked baggage may be accepted with a declared value for carriage. The maximum declared value for checked baggage shall not exceed USD5,000.00

Such higher declared value shall not apply to valuables included in checked baggage, i.e., money, jewelry, silverware, negotiable, papers, securities, business documents, samples, paintings, antiques, artifacts, manuscripts, irreplaceable equipment and working papers, i.e., studies, reference materials, correspondences, thesis or similar valuables.

The passenger’s claim of the value of his baggage is validated upon check-in at the airport through a sales receipt or customs declaration for the article/s or, if not available, through the assistance of a customs examiner or similarly qualified person to estimate the article/s’ value.

Between Philippines/Asia/Europe/Middle East and Honolulu/Las Vegas/Los Angeles/San Francisco - USD150

Except between Philippines/Australia/Japan/Korea/Abu Dhabi (code share flights)/Saudi Arabia and USA/Canada (excluding Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco) -USD 200/CAD200 From Philippines/Asia/ Europe/Middle East to Vancouver - USD 150 / CAD 150 From Vancouver to Philippines/Asia/ Europe/Middle East - CAD200/ USD200 Between Canada (except Vancouver) and Philippines/Asia/Europe/Middle East - CAD 225/USD225 An applicable charge for "bulky baggage" will be collected. Please call our reservations or sales office for more information and assistance.

Note: Excess baggage rates may change without prior notice. Excess Valuation

By paying a corresponding excess valuation charge, a passenger’s checked baggage may be accepted with a declared value for carriage. The maximum declared value for checked baggage shall not exceed USD5,000.00

Such higher declared value shall not apply to valuables included in checked baggage, i.e., money, jewelry, silverware, negotiable, papers, securities, business documents, samples, paintings, antiques, artifacts, manuscripts, irreplaceable equipment and working papers, i.e., studies, reference materials, correspondences, thesis or similar valuables.

The passenger’s claim of the value of his baggage is validated upon check-in at the airport through a sales receipt or customs declaration for the article/s or, if not available, through the assistance of a customs examiner or similarly qualified person to estimate the article/s’ value.

Mabuhay Business Premium

<P align=center>　

Classification

To/From USA (except Hawaii), Canada and Guam

　　

Max

Dimension

(l + w + h)

Weight

Mabuhay Class

2

Total of 124 in. (316 cm.) for the 2 pieces with no piece exceeding 62 in. (158 cm.)

Total of 140 lbs. (64kgs.) for the 2 pieces with no piece exceeding 70 lbs. (32 kgs.)

Economy Class

2

Total of 107 in. (273 cm.) for the 2 pieces with no piece exceeding 62. in. (158 cm.)

Total of 100 lbs. (46kgs.) for the 2 pieces with no piece exceeding 50 lbs. (23 kgs.)

Infants (not entitled to a seat)

1

must not exceed 45 in. (115 cm.)

Not to exceed 15 lbs. (7kgs.)

　

It might be cheaper to fly Mabuhay Class (cheaper than paying excess baggage fees)

[calibob 73]

It would be cheaper to ship it LBC......Just shipped 4.41kg / in a 7X7X7 box for $46 and change. Air to Visayas from Sacramento to arrive in 7 to 10 business days. Fed Ex was $208 for 2-3 days faster. If you need the extra lbs for clothes, ect. shipping it may be a viable option.

Bob

[calibob 73]

Here's today's rate for a 24X18X18 from LBC. I'm just excited to find reasonable shipping to the wife and family. Woo hoooo

$75.00

[calibob 73]

Edited March 7, 2011 by calibob

[Ugly_American 11]

Thanks for the detailed post Dan & Judy. I still think that the airlines would accept two 20x20x20 boxes and not charge extra. I've never seen an agent pull out a tape measure and add it up. Has anyone ever been charged extra fees for oversize while using two 20x20x20 balikbayan boxes? Technically two 18x18x18 bb boxes are also over size.

[Ugly_American 11]

To answer my own question, i traveled with 2 20x20x20 boxes from SFO to Cebu and back with no problems. The size of the combined boxes is 120 inches, 13 inches over what they say is permitted, but they were accepted without any hesitation.

[Matt and Evieve 1]

Ok, here's an information to everyone. When you say you have a box of 20 x 20 x 20 dimension, it is just okay. To get the required check-in baggage is length + width + height, that is, 20 + 20 + 20 = 60 inches. So, you are good to go

[tallcoolone 102]

It would be cheaper to ship it LBC......Just shipped 4.41kg / in a 7X7X7 box for $46 and change. Air to Visayas from Sacramento to arrive in 7 to 10 business days. Fed Ex was $208 for 2-3 days faster. If you need the extra lbs for clothes, ect. shipping it may be a viable option.

Bob

LBC is a great deal, Bad part they are only in a few cities in America, Like very few......