Sending a box-full of gifts back to their families in the Philippines is almost a tradition for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This, and the fact that their main reason for working hard abroad is to be able to provide everything for their loved ones, is enough reason for an OFW to scrimp and save in order to fill up these precious boxes.
For Filipino who want to get an idea how to send a balikbayan box, please check the detailed guide below.
What is a Balikbayan box?
To the uninitiated, a Balikbayan box refers to the box of goodies that migrant Filipino workers send home to their families in the Philippines. Typically filled with toys, clothes, appliances, and groceries, these boxes come in different sizes depending on preferences and budget and are usually sent on several occasions including Christmas.
What are the requirements for sending a Balikbayan Box?
The sender must:
- Be a Qualified Filipinos While Abroad (QFWA), a Non-resident Filipinos with Permanent residency but kept their Filipino Citizenship (Dual Citizen), or a Filipino Citizen with temporary visa (e.g. students, business visa, etc.).
- Prepare a copy of his/her Philippine passport
- Prepare a copy of their Oath of Allegiance from the embassy during their Re-acquisition of the Philippine citizenship, if the sender is a dual citizen without a Philippine passport.
- Duly accomplish the Information Sheet (or Declaration List) from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
- Provide the receipt of any valuable item in the package, if available.
What are the new policies about sending Balikbayan boxes this 2020?
Since August 2017 started, a new policy on Balikbayan boxes was put in place to address illegal importation (or smuggling) of imported goods in the Philippines. It also imposed taxes to provide an additional source of revenue for the government, subject to the following exemptions and limitations.
- While anybody can send a balikbayan box to the Philippines, those that don’t qualify for the exemptions and limitations will be subjected to duty and import taxes.
- QFWA and Dual Citizens can send up to 150,000 pesos worth of tax-free boxes limited to personal effects and household items.
- A maximum of three (3) balikbayan boxes with a total value of Php150,000 per year is allowed, but the items should not be regulated items or in commercial quantities.
- If the balikbayan box is worth less than Php10,000, it will be classified as De Minimis Importation and will be automatically exempted from duty and importation taxes.
- Only family members and close relatives of a QFWA are allowed to receive balikbayan boxes in the Philippines. Otherwise, it would be taxed.
- Non-Filipino Citizens (or Filipinos who gained new citizenship from other country and chose not to keep their Philippine citizenship) and foreign nationals will have to pay for the duty and import tax if they send a balikbayan box worth more than Php10,000.
Things to Remember
Based on the new policy, valuable new items (e.g. gadgets, jewellery, appliances, watches etc.) to be sent via a Balikbayan box must be declared and supported with a receipt. Used items, groceries, and other less valuable new items, including but not limited to clothing, toiletries, and chocolates do not need a receipt but they must be listed on the declaration form.