Balikbayan boxes being raided?

[kev_n_jena 89]

Hello Everyone,

After reaing about Caryh's balikbayan box being opened and items missing, I wondered if anyone else had this happen lately.

That really concerns me as we plan to send a box later this year. I'd also like to figure out if it's all carries or just certain ones.

If you've experienced the same thing, please post it here with the carrier or pm me.

[Caryh 5,206]

We've sent a number of boxes since my wife arrived. This was the first time a box was opened and inspected. I need to correct something I said before. It was only inspected on the USA side per the tracking with Forexworld.

[adiiann 163]

I sent Balikbayan box thru LBC. My aunt should receive it by next week. I will let you know the status of it.

[wilfon 30]

Hello Everyone,

After reaing about Caryh's balikbayan box being opened and items missing, I wondered if anyone else had this happen lately.

That really concerns me as we plan to send a box later this year. I'd also like to figure out if it's all carries or just certain ones.

If you've experienced the same thing, please post it here with the carrier or pm me.

Hi, I sent 2 Balakbayan Boxes with LBC and thank goodness nothing was taken from them. I've heard the horror stories of boxes being raided. They arrived to my fiances' home, both in about 45 days. Please be sure to either video everything that you put in the box or take pictures, this way you have proof if anything is missing. I paid $90 for each box. I would recommend LBC, they provided a good service for us. Good luck to you

[kev_n_jena 89]

Here's an interesting story from 2011.

http://www.myatlastracker.com/news/June17,2011.jsp

We've used Forex and Atlas in the past. We had a slight problem with Forex one time when the box took a very long time to arrive and was very damaged with a few small items missing.

[X Factor 1,112]

Hello Everyone,

After reaing about Caryh's balikbayan box being opened and items missing, I wondered if anyone else had this happen lately.

That really concerns me as we plan to send a box later this year. I'd also like to figure out if it's all carries or just certain ones.

If you've experienced the same thing, please post it here with the carrier or pm me.

That's disturbing. I guess I can't ship several magic jacks

[Grant PDX 183]

I've sent literally dozens of balikbayan boxes through LBC in the last 5 years. Never had one opened, as far as I know, and never had anything missing. Also never had damage, except by my things breaking inside, due most likely to my insufficient packing... Things do get tossed around a bit on board a cargo ship.

Good luck!

[kev_n_jena 89]

I've sent literally dozens of balikbayan boxes through LBC in the last 5 years. Never had one opened, as far as I know, and never had anything missing. Also never had damage, except by my things breaking inside, due most likely to my insufficient packing... Things do get tossed around a bit on board a cargo ship.

Good luck!

My guess is, the damage is more likely to occur when the box is tossed off the top of a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab in our experience. Luckily it doesn't need to travel by caribow as is sometimes the case

Here's another interesting read:

http://asianjournalusa.com/frankly-speaking-balikbayan-box-issues-and-discussion-p12418-145.htm

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I've sent literally dozens of balikbayan boxes through LBC in the last 5 years. Never had one opened, as far as I know, and never had anything missing. Also never had damage, except by my things breaking inside, due most likely to my insufficient packing... Things do get tossed around a bit on board a cargo ship.

Good luck!

Ditto .. My experience with LBC also. Never an issue

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

LBC seals the box right in front of you. We have sent many boxes to the Philippines, never have the seals been broken. It pays to deal with an established large Filipino shipper, that ships using their own couriers both in the US and in the Philippines, plus has enough volume to regularly ship using their own containers, filled with only their boxes, frequently and regularly. Plus, when the containers arrive dockside, there are LBC's own experienced "fixers" to make sure no sticky hands need to look for "contraband" in your boxes.

Now, air freight is another story. TSA and airline baggage handlers do not respect your privacy, or take the same care, when repacking a balikbayan box, or suitcase for that matter. I have seen some amazing randomly taped balls coming down the conveyor belt.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Another hint - don't send cash, or anything like that. It seems Filipinos have an uncanny ability to sniff out US Dollars and such, no matter how well you try to conceal them. I heard a story, call it an unverified rumor, that postal workers would place envelopes with greeting cards, for instance for a birthday, into the freezer until the mucilage releases. Then they could look inside for cash, and reseal the envelopes, no one being the wiser.

[Caryh 5,206]

LBC seals the box right in front of you. We have sent many boxes to the Philippines, never have the seals been broken. It pays to deal with an established large Filipino shipper, that ships using their own couriers both in the US and in the Philippines, plus has enough volume to regularly ship using their own containers, filled with only their boxes, frequently and regularly. Plus, when the containers arrive dockside, there are LBC's own experienced "fixers" to make sure no sticky hands need to look for "contraband" in your boxes.

Now, air freight is another story. TSA and airline baggage handlers do not respect your privacy, or take the same care, when repacking a balikbayan box, or suitcase for that matter. I have seen some amazing randomly taped balls coming down the conveyor belt.

US customs is opening and inspecting random boxes. Essentially handling things much like the TSA, possibly even worse. It they pull the container aside for inspection, expect your box to be delayed at least three weeks.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

US customs is opening and inspecting random boxes. Essentially handling things much like the TSA, possibly even worse. It they pull the container aside for inspection, expect your box to be delayed at least three weeks.

Outgoing containers? I find that hard to believe.

Of course with Forex, I believe anything is possible.

Edited March 17, 2013 by The Patriot

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Never had issues with Golden Bell Cargo Express here in San Diego. Used to send at least 3 boxes a year to Mike when he was still in the Philippines

Good luck!

[Caryh 5,206]

Outgoing containers? I find that hard to believe.

Of course with Forex, I believe anything is possible.

I thought it strange to, but its been going on a number of years now. All the balikbayan box shipping companies raised prices a few years ago because of the cost. Check out the link Kev posted earlier in this thread if you want to know more.