How to Pack Your Balikbayan Box Before Sending from the USA to the Philippines

You may think packing a balikbayan box is easy but not until you put everything in and find the side of the box tearing. Now you have to buy another cardboard box in the USA to send your goods to the Philippines. Worst, you just squashed a fragile item while putting more in the box. Imagine the hassle and waste of money. 

However, you don’t have to go through all that because there’s a proper way to pack your box. There are certain steps you can follow to secure everything—from the items inside the package to the box itself—without overstuffing the box, which we listed below.



Step 1: Choose the box appropriately. You can base it on the size of the box and the number of items you are packing.

Step 2: Fully secure the entire bottom part of the box with packaging tape.

Step 3: Secure the sides of the box 2-3 inches from the bottom part.

Step 4: Cushion the inside of the box with a blanket, towel, or curtain. This will prevent your goods from breaking during shipment.

Step 5: Prepare pen and paper before placing your goods inside the box. Make sure you list down all the items as you put them in the package.

Step 6: Now, begin by placing clothes inside the box. Putting clothes first serve as an extra cushion for your fragile goods.

Step 7: Place the heavier items like canned goods next.

Step 8: For liquid bottles and other items prone to spilling, seal up their caps with tape. For fragile goods, position them in the center of the box and secure them with bubble wraps.

Step 9: Place grocery items like powdered milk and coffee in a plastic bag. Put detergent bars, soap bars, and similar items on a separate plastic bag.

Step 10: Make sure you utilize every inch of space inside the box without overstuffing it.

Step 11: Top your goods with another layer of cushion before sealing the box.

Step 12: Fully secure the entire top part of the box with packaging tape.

Step 13: Secure the sides of the box 2-3 inches from the top part.

Step 14: Once the package is sealed, put the proper labels on the package such as the name of the receiver, full address, and contact number. You can either write it directly on the box or print it on a white paper. This ensures your balikbayan box arrives from the USA to the Philippines.

Step 15: Fully secure the remaining parts of the box with clear packaging tape.

Step 16: Provide an itemized list of your box’ contents with corresponding prices. For items without a receipt, write its estimated amount.

Step 17: Include a photocopy of your passport.



You may think packing a balikbayan box is easy, and it actually is if you know the systematic way to do it. Take the steps above when packing your parcel and the task will be a piece of cake for you. Now, you can send your balikbayan box with ease from the USA to the Philippines.