Sending a package to the Philippines through regular mail is very expensive, so what we Filipinos do is to send them through door to door services company like Sansu International. It's a company that accepts balikbayan boxes.
The term balikbayan is a combination of two Tagalog words balik and bayan which means going back (balik) and country (bayan). Balikbayan refers to a Filipino who is returning to their country Philippines. We use this term too when sending a package to our beloved back home through the Filipino companies here that provides that kind of services.
Anyhow, I have been meaning to send these boxes to my family since last year but I never got to it until this month. There is one company that is competing with Sansu International, the Forex. I have never used them before but since they are offering lower fee ($85 per box) plus free pick up of the box from your home, I thought of trying them. With Sansu International, the fee is $90 per box and you have to drop off the box in Pittsburgh. I hope that this would work out fine and that my family will receive the boxes I sent. Keeping my fingers crossed.
buti sa inyo sis mura...:) mindanao din kasi yung samin kaya over 100...waaaaaa!
ReplyDeleteyung akin din last month ko lang napadala...1 box lang but it took me a year to finally send it...lol!
The Internet has opened the door for International trading don't you think?
ReplyDeleteDenise ABC Team
I definitely agree Denise!
DeleteYes, there is a great demand for INTERNATIONAL shipping!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Balik is also a Malay word bearing the same meaning , when we say balik kampung, it means going back to village (kampung).
ReplyDeleteThere are some international shipping company that has dishonest employees, I just hope they will be reprimanded so that all the Filipinos who are using their services will not be displaced!
ReplyDeleteYou have to be careful with these companies. Better check their track record. There are some cases here in Singapore that balikbayan boxes were not received by the recipients.
ReplyDeletethat was very thoughtful of you, girl! we, here in the Philippines, are so happy to receive a Balikbayan box..
ReplyDeleteare they good, thanks for sharing actually we are preventing shipping or receiving because of bad reputation of courier
ReplyDeleteI hope you did the right decision.. your family here will surely be happy to receive the stuff.. how i wish I have a family in the US that will send us balikbayan box..hehehehe
ReplyDeleteyep sending stuff to the Philippines using USPS can cost a fortune, I also do door to door package once a year thru LBC naman.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice for only $85. Not so bad. I wish they have Sansu here too. I sent my family a balikbayan box last month and it costs me 160 for two boxes.
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ReplyDeleteA bit expensive din pala no when you send balkbayan box. At least you have found another option to send them safely. How long will it take for the box to reach the Philippines?
LadySoda
I really admire Pinoys who send balikbayan boxes to their families in the Philippines. It just shows how much they love them. Good for you that you found a cheaper alternative.
ReplyDeleteMy relatives in the US usually sends u balikbayan noxes but I don't know which service they use.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to send some Balikbayan boxes mommy, but was too afraid that they might get stolen or some of the things might be missing. Like what happened to my friend before. I think I am going to cave in this year and I am sending them some. We don't have LBC, Forex or any other reliable company to send the boxes so I might have to shop around.
ReplyDeleteoh momi u reminding me to send na jud my over due balikbayan box here hehehehe
ReplyDeletegood to hear that there are many companies that offer balikbayan services, hope that one works.
ReplyDeleteLucky family! :)
ReplyDeleteLucky family! I bet there are lots of chocolates there. Drool. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd body & bath works. Envy. ;)
i'm sure the your family here will be very happy. hope it gets to them soon.
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