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You have questions, we have the answers! (FAQ)

  • Writer: GG Kargo
    GG Kargo
  • Mar 1, 2023
  • 0 min read

When is the ideal time to ship?

The ideal time for a Ship depends on various factors – holidays, personal agenda etc… You should try to avoid peak season, if possible (summers and year-end). On a personal level, you should consider the urgency of the Ship, children’s education, and other family priorities. Better planning leads to a stress-free Ship.

Typically however, any shipment going to the Philippines will take anywhere from 35-85 days, depending on where the final destination will be. Here at GG Kargo, LLC, we offer consultation to help you with the decision and shipping process.

Advance planning can save you money. Shipping companies usually charge high for last minute jobs, and in peak season. In some instances, bring your box(s) directly to the shipping company, there is usually a discount of some kind.

Packing is a time-consuming affair and you should start as early as possible. This saves any last minute hurry. Packing a few days before the main day helps you manage your affairs better. It also makes you comfortable and reduces stress.

In this business, it’s all about reputation! Call us! We can provide you with references. If you want to determine if a forward shipper in the Philippines is accredited or not, simply contact the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines and search for the shipper in question. You may also click on this link, http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php?p=409.

There could be. For example, our boxes are 24x18x24 (6 cu ft). If you were to send a box that is larger, there would be an additional per cu. ft. charge and/or a handling fee. To compute the cubic foot of your box, the formula is: LxWxH/1728.

We do not offer smaller sized boxes. We have found that most of our customers want to ship as much as they can to their family and friends. Offering a smaller sized box is not cost effective for the customer because the difference in the shipping price of a small box vs our 6 cu ft box is virtually the same. We estimate that the customer only saves $10 when they ship a 4.5 to 5 cu. ft. box.

You will need to pay at the time your shipment is picked up. We accept cash, credit cards (3.30% Transaction Fee added to final total) and checks (made payable to GG Kargo, LLC).

Insurance offers much needed protection from unexpected circumstances over which one has no control.

You can help by being prepared on the day of Shipping. Have your box(s) labeled with the Consignee’s name and address on two sides of the box. Be prepared to provide contact information for your consignee. The box will not be delivered to anyone other than the person it is designated to be delivered to. Have the box(s) closed, and taped, ready to ship.

Balikbayan Boxes are packages of personal effects and/or “pasalubongs” sent by Filipinos residing or working abroad to their families or relatives in the Philippines to enhance Philippine tradition and culture for the promotion and preservation of strong family ties through love and caring expressed in gift-giving.

Non-commercial goods or goods not in commercial quantity strictly for personal use only, such as: wearing apparel, clothing, foodstuffs/grocery items/canned goods; the value of which must not exceed US$500.00.

One consignor/sender is allowed to send one (1) box during a six (6) -month period.

Two (2) or more balikbayan boxes from two (2) or more individual consignors/senders abroad, assembled and consolidated at one point of origin/exportation and shipped together under a single master ocean bill of lading or master airway bill by a freight forwarder/consolidator to its breakbulk/consolidator agent in the Philippines.

A foreign freight forwarding entity/ consolidator duly licensed and registered with the Philippine consular office.

The Philippine agent/representative of a freight forwarder/consolidator named in a master bill of lading or master airway bill as consignee of a consolidated shipment duly licensed by the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Yes, a 100% examination of the consolidated shipment is required by law:

To protect the legitimate interests of consignors/senders and their consignees, in particular, and the transacting public, in general;

To protect the interest of the government;

To prevent and suppress smuggling and other fraud upon customs.

Verification can be made with the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) under the Department of Trade and Industry on their website: www.dti.gov.ph/ or by calling these numbers during office hours: (632) 7513304 or (632) 7513307, contact person: Mr. Jun Bernal.

The Philippine agent/representative of a freight forwarder/consolidator named in a master bill of lading or master airway bill as consignee of a consolidated shipment duly licensed by the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and/or a local delivery company hired by the Philippine agent.

Any of the following can cause delays/non-delivery of “balikbayan boxes” to their ultimate consignees:

  • Unforeseen circumstances and/or natural calamity like typhoon that sets back the arrival of cargo carrying vessels;

  • Consolidated shipments are tainted by:

  • Undeclared and/or mistakenly declared goods;

  • Banned or regulated cargoes like firearms and ammunitions, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, gambling materials/apparatus;

  • Goods in commercial quantity;

  • Consolidated shipments that are abandoned by the Philippine agent/ representative/ broker for reasons of non-remittance of funds by the foreign freight forwarding entity/ consolidator.

No, these are not allowed in “Balikbayan” Boxes. These are not considered personal effects or household good and are thus treated differently; other documentary requirements are needed for these to be brought into the Philippines without which these vehicles cannot be registered with the land Transportation Office (LTO).


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