Filipinos abroad who are planning to send a balikbayan box, as part of the new rules, you will need to fill out a Balikbayan Information Sheet as part of the requirements. The information sheet will include your details as well as a list of items included in your box.
There will be 3 copies of the information sheet, one will be your copy, another for the courier, and the other to be placed in the box. Having this information sheet will help in making sure that whatever you put in the box, will also be the items that your recipients will receive.
Related Post: 3 Things You Need to Provide When Sending a Balikbayan Box
Normally, you’re chosen cargo provider will provide you with that piece of paper to fill out. However, you can also download a copy from the Bureau of Customs Philippines here.
Common Questions & Answers about the BoC Information Sheet
What’s written on the BoC Balikbayan Box Information Sheet? Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their corresponding answers about the Balikbayan Information Sheet. Please refer to the responses provided by BoC.
HOW MANY COPIES OF THE INFORMATION SHEET DO I NEED PER BOX?
You need 3 copies of the information Sheet per box. The 1st copy is attached to the box; the 2nd copy is given to the Consolidator; and the 3rd copy is your copy as the Sender.
WHO CAN SEND BALIKBAYAN BOXES TO THE PHILIPPINES?
Anyone can send Balikbayan Boxes to the Philippines, even Corporations, Partnerships and Sole Proprietors. But only a Qualified Filipino While Abroad can avail the tax and duty-free privilege of balikbayan boxes under Section 800(g) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
WHO ARE QUALIFIED FILIPINO CITIZENS WHILE ABROAD?
They are Resident Filipino, Non-Resident Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers.
WHAT IS THE SECTION 800(G) PRIVILEGE UNDER THE CMTA OR THE BALIKBAYAN BOX PRIVELEGE?
This is the privilege given to a Qualified Filipino Citizen While Abroad to send Balikbayan Boxes to a Family Member or Relative, tax and duty free.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I SEND BALIKBAYAN BOXES?
There is no limit unless you will avail of the Balikbayan Box Privilege.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I AVAIL THE BALIKBAYAN BOX PRIVILEGE?
Qualified Filipino While Abroad can avail of the balikbayan box privilege up to 3 times or up to 3 shipments in a calendar year. The total amount of all the shipments should not be more than Php 150,000.00 in a calendar year.
HOW MANY BALIKBAYAN BOXES CAN I SEND IN 1 SHIPMENT IF I WILL AVAIL OF THE BALIKBAYAN BOX PRIVILEGE?
There is no limit to the number of Balikbayan Boxes that you can send per shipment but the size of the boxes must be no bigger than .20cbm (about the size of an XL box) and the total value should not be more than Php 150,000.00 in a calendar year.
WHAT CAN I PUT IN MY BALIKBAYAN BOX IF I WANT TO AVAIL OF THE BALIKBAYAN BOX PRIVILEGE?
You can only send household effects and personal effects. You cannot send items which are in commercial quantities (a good rule of thumb is not more than 20 items of each kind for consumable goods and not more than 5 items of each kind for non-consumable goods), or send items which are for sale, barter or hire, or those which are prohibited or restricted. Importations of up to 2 litres (2000 ml) of wine and liquor, 2 reams of cigarettes and 50 sticks of cigars shall be subject to payment of excise tax only. Any excess is subject to duty, VAT and excise tax.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECLARE THAT I WANT TO AVAIL OF THE BALIKBAYAN BOX EXCEED THE ALLOWED QUANTITIES OR VALUES?
Anything in excess of the allowable quantity, amount or frequency shall be subject to duties and taxes, and civil and criminal liabilities, if any.
WHAT IF THE VALUE OF SHIPMENT IS LESS THAN PHP10,000.00?
You can avail of the De Minimis privilege and you don’t need to be a Qualified Filipino While Abroad but you must have only 1 consignee or recipient. An invoice or equivalent document is required for immediate release of shipments sent by or to be received by a Corporation, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship. Even if you are a Qualified Filipino While Abroad a De Minimis Value shipment shall not be counted as an availment under the Balikbayan Box privilege.
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We hope you are guided accordingly with the new rules and changes when sending Balikbayan boxes. As a general tip, you can always contact your cargo shipment provider (LBC, Makati Express, etc.) to assist you should you have any further questions before sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines.