sending electronics in balikbayan box.

[Ontarkie 14,861]

~~~~Duplicate thread merged~~~~

[GaryKO 49]

Good morning to all!

This is my first time to send balikbayan box to the philippines. I'm planning to include a laptop and a tablet inside the box with those other goodies I'm sending to my parents and siblings.

Wondering if anybody tried it already and if your family recieved it?

Let me add this, over the years I've sent many at least 40 Balikbayan boxes from USA to the PH. All the boxes arrived in pretty good shape, and never lost any contents, never had any custom problems. Most boxes were just canned food and clothes. I have sent laptops, cell phones, and some banned things like medicine. I use a contractors trash bag as a liner, then tape up the outside of the box with duct tape, just about use a whole roll to make the box stronger. You must list what is in the box with the shipper, declare the value, your allowed up to $500.00 total value. So to ship like a laptop you must lie on value and declare no electronics.

If you pack it safe, and tape up the box to keep it from getting torn open, then I think you have a real good chance of getting it delivered ok. Don't just put things in the box and tape it a little, they load a container full of these boxes, the ones close to the bottom supports all the weight of the boxes above them and can burst open.

To answer your question, Yes! I have shipped a few laptops and cell phones in balikbayan boxes, and I did know that these are taxable items and I could lose them or be charged with duty fees. This is what you need to understand, that your taking a chance.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Mimi and Gary

[Caryh 5,206]

I was going to say, we just shipped a box through Forex and they gave us a printout of this note, it also had a note about watches disappearing. We didn't read the note until after we dropped off the box though. And wouldn't you know it, we sent three watches as gifts. They were just cheap ones for kids, but we're hoping they make it now.

I have sent a couple of gadgets before, luckily it wasn't checked by the US and Philippine Customs...

However, here's an advisory on ALL shippers now:

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***

*** Shipping Electronic Devices ***

Just recently, US Customs implemented a policy on electronic devices such as the following: Laptops, Kindle eReader, ipads, mobile phones and the like or those devices that can store information or that has installed software and applications. US Customs have been inspecting all electronic devices that would fall under that category. According to them, sending such devices is not prohibited. However, devices that may contain data are subject to scrutiny as they may compromise national security. That said, we are asking you to refrain from sending such items until we can resolve matters with the US Customs. If you want to continue to ship such electronic devices, you do so at your own risk. Please be warned that losses or damages that may result from Customs inspections will not be covered by insurance.

http://shop.forexworld.us/

Its a risk, but if you're willing to risk it, then by all means,...

[Phladetroit 0]

Good morning to all!

This is my first time to send balikbayan box to the philippines. I'm planning to include a laptop and a tablet inside the box with those other goodies I'm sending to my parents and siblings.

Wondering if anybody tried it already and if your family recieved it?

How did it go? what shipping company did you use?