Balikbayan Box

[Bob & Joana 2]

Anyone know of an places near Detroit, Michigan where I can acquire the box itself and also of a good place to ship from that doesnt involve having me first ship to the west coast? I havent found anything that seems trustworthy doing google searches. I know its too late to get something there for x-mas, but sometime before february would still go a long way =). Also, anyone know if shipping BB box if you can wrap anything or will it need to be unwrapped for customs?

[F2aSonofLPR 15]

Anyone know of an places near Detroit, Michigan where I can acquire the box itself and also of a good place to ship from that doesnt involve having me first ship to the west coast? I havent found anything that seems trustworthy doing google searches. I know its too late to get something there for x-mas, but sometime before february would still go a long way =). Also, anyone know if shipping BB box if you can wrap anything or will it need to be unwrapped for customs?

You may try to call this place. http://m.yelp.com/biz/jeramm-westside-oriental-store-garden-city

It's a filipino store located in Garden City, they also have Balikbayan box service. And yes,you can wrap it's just take a lot of space in the box.

[ZamboMichigan 2]

I had the same problem with internet searching for these also.

There are two places I have been using,

1. FILAPINA's on the SE corner of Dequindre and 13 Mile in Warren, MI They have boxes for $5 and utilize UMAC and Forex.

2. Phillipine mini-mart on the NW corner of 16 mile and Dequindre in Troy, MI. They utilize UMAC and LBC also with $5 boxes.

There is an LBC special to anywhere in the Philippines for $60 until 12/31/2013.

They all seem to take about 2 months to arrive for the 5 I have sent over the past 14 months.

They all go through Chicago via rail then to San Francisco for Ocean Freighter to Manila.

Good Luck

[ZamboMichigan 2]

I didn't answer all of your questions

Your Boxes should be packed with enough shipping tape to make them nearly waterproof.

Use bubble wrap or clothing items to pad the contents. I have never had any customs issues, only damage from water.

Put the "ship to" address several places with a waterproof SHARPIE on the box, and include a cell phone number for them to contact.

You will be able to track the shipment on the internet.

Just follow the rules for what can and cannot be shipped and no worries...

[Bob & Joana 2]

Have you used the LBC service? Do you know if they are more reliable than forex or UMAC? I am familiar with filipinas i've been there before...did not know that they doing BB box. The mini-mart on corner of 16/dequindre which corner is it? NW, NE, SW, or SE? I didnt know there was a filipino market there so I'd like to check it out regardless of where I decide to ship. Also are all these places by the box(weight does not matter?) or is there weight limits on these?

Thanks for the info, Im happy I dont have to drive to garden city that is a LONG drive =)

I didn't answer all of your questions

Your Boxes should be packed with enough shipping tape to make them nearly waterproof.

Use bubble wrap or clothing items to pad the contents. I have never had any customs issues, only damage from water.

Put the "ship to" address several places with a waterproof SHARPIE on the box, and include a cell phone number for them to contact.

You will be able to track the shipment on the internet.

Just follow the rules for what can and cannot be shipped and no worries...

[ZamboMichigan 2]

Used mostly LBC from both places. It takes about 2 months to Mindanao. They have been dependable, and there is an LBC office in my wife's hometown.

The Forex took the longest time when we used them, and they were more expensive. UMAC I have not used, but they are for mostly Visayas and Luzon.

NW corner of Dequindre and 16 mile/ Big Beaver. In the strip mall with Aldi's and H-mart. No limit on weight.

Good Luck..no need to venture out to Garden City.

[Bob & Joana 2]

Used mostly LBC from both places. It takes about 2 months to Mindanao. They have been dependable, and there is an LBC office in my wife's hometown.

The Forex took the longest time when we used them, and they were more expensive. UMAC I have not used, but they are for mostly Visayas and Luzon.

NW corner of Dequindre and 16 mile/ Big Beaver. In the strip mall with Aldi's and H-mart. No limit on weight.

Good Luck..no need to venture out to Garden City.

Thanks I went there today and we picked up the box. The woman there said you can schedule LBC to pick up straight from your address. Do i just have to call the number printed on the box to make this arrangement? And do I pay over the phone or do I pay when someone picks it up?

[ZamboMichigan 2]

Never used the pick-up service from LBC always too difficult to schedule. I would suggest, just taking the box to the store and completing the paper work and paying all at the same time, they only take cash payment for the box.

Talk to the people who run the store for any other questions they should be able to answer any questions regarding pick-ups.

Cheers....