Balikbayan Box

Balikbayan means 'Returnee' in english and is usually referred to people coming home to the Philippines from an extended stay in a foreign country.

A Balikbayan Box is a box containing novelty items brought by or sent by a Filipino that is returning to the Philippines from a foreign country.

Typically, these boxes contain non-perishable food items, toys, designer clothing, and the balikbayan box staple, corned beef and spam

It is known as "care package" in English.

A Balikbayan Box can also refer to "a carton box containing personal items, toiletries, household and kitchen stuffs, toys, clothes and accessories, canned goods and other food items, etc. sent by an overseas Filipino to his loved ones in the Philippines through freight forwarders.

This service was started in 1982 by Rico Nunga of REN Cargo in Los Angeles. A year after that, Monet Ungco of Port Jersey Cargo started its East Coast counterpart.

A Balikbayan Box is sized specifically to conform to airline luggage restrictions. They can usually be purchased at most Filipino stores and are sometimes available with a cloth cover and side handles for portability.

In 1998, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder introduced the Jumbo Box which is bigger that the known balikbayan boxes at that time. He also started the online balikbayan box sending where one just need to log on to their website to get the instructions and download the shipping forms. Then, the client will use USPS, UPS or FedEx Ground Services to have it shipped to Manila Forwarder location in Los Angeles, CA.

This allows the shipper anywhere in the USA to avail of the low Los Angeles prices and Manila Forwarder's fast delivery service.

In 2005, Manila Forwarders started accepting Philippine-based clients to avail of their shipping services for their internet stores and E-bay purchases.

More info: http://www.manilaforwarder.com