We are fortunate to be Filipinos alongside our partners. Being able to send BALIKBAYAN BOXES to our families and friends back home brings pure joy. There is one important factor to keep in mind: the process is slow and can be lengthy because we only use maritime transport and TRANS-SHIPMENT. Currently, ships do not navigate through the Suez Canal.
The average sailing time ranges from 39 to over 52 days, starting from the actual departure in Rotterdam, not from the date of collection. All boxes goes in one container and will be sorted out once it arrives in the port of destination (POD).
The large shipping container does not go directly to the Philippines; it’s similar to taking a flight, as it will be moved to a smaller vessel like a layover. There can also be delays, and in such cases, the container must wait for the next available ship. Upon reaching the port of destination CEBU, it does not count as day one, because the ship must berth first. Only after it has anchored does the document processing begin, which can take between two and 10 days. The container will undergo an extensive X-ray examination, and if no suspicious items are detected, customs (DOUANE) will release it. Following that, it will be transported to a warehouse. The warehouse is comparable to a bus station, with many passengers headed to various destinations and their own scheduled times. Other regions, such as Luzon, other parts of Visayas, and Mindanao, will receive their items by boat using roll-on-roll-off (RORO) services. When your boxes are ready for delivery, they will reach out to the number you provided on the forms. Ensure that these numbers are operational to prevent delays. If they cannot get in touch, the delivery will occur on the next round of trip. Additionally, there are smaller issues to consider, such as congested ports, internet outages, road closures, weather challenges, mechanical failures, holidays, peak season (November through February end), and worker shortages.
In the Netherlands, we handle almost everything ourselves, while in the Philippines, local forwarders manage not just our containers but also shipments from various regions globally. There is usually a waiting list.
Sometimes, not all of your boxes will arrive simultaneously due to limited space in the transport during transfers, but you can trust that your boxes are well cared for and will be transferred on the next available trip.
When planning a holiday, the “estimated” arrival time (ETA) can be unreliable and may not meet your expectations, so we recommend sending your boxes earlier than you typically would, or we may refuse to accept them altogether to avoid any disappointment.
Since March 2020, there have been significant changes, including shipping costs, bookings, and unforeseen delays. We would greatly value your patience and understanding during these challenging times. Our objective remains to keep our customers happy.
Lead time Cebu port;
CEBU within two days after unloading.
Metro Manila within one to three weeks.
Luzon within three or more weeks.
Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao within two to five weeks.
Lead time Manila port;
Metro Manila within a week upon unloading.
Outside Metro Manila within one to three weeks.
Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao within two to five weeks.
Offshore depends on the availability of the ship and is based on the timetable or arrangement.
