Returning Resident, Balikbayan Shipment

Looking for a company that can move your shipments to the Philippines? CONGRATULATIONS! You found the right connect for your shipment to the Philippines. You may find other companies offering such services online but Manila Forwarder is the only one that specializes in Philippine relocation, maintains its own office in the country, and has decades of experience in doing relocation services. There is only one Manila Forwarder.

Our relocation experts, who speak Pilipino, will provide you with their cell phone numbers,  will be straightforward to you, and will expertly answer all your questions anytime.

Here's why we’re different:

✅ Manila Forwarder is the only one that specializes in Philippine relocation.

✅ Manila Forwarder has its office in the country, and has decades of experience in doing relocation services.

✅ Manila Forwarder also has a relocation team that speaks Filipino. We will provide you with their cell phone numbers and they will expertly guide you.

✅ Manila Forwarder Phil, Inc has agents in the whole USA and Canada, The United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, among others. The rules are generally the same but this uses the USA as a guide.

WATCH THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEOS:

Manila Forwarder's step-by-step explanation of the shipping process Pre-Planning Guide

TV Interview of Manny Paez by Miss Janelle So of LA 18

TV Commercial for TFC and Channel 7 for Returning Residents

TV Interview of Manny Paez by Rico Hizon of CNN Philippines

THIS INFORMATION IS MADE SPECIALLY WITH YOU IN MIND. THRU CLIENT FEEDBACK, THE INFORMATION HERE IS VERY STRAIGHT TO THE POINT AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. PLEASE INVEST 10 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TO READ ALL THE INFORMATION FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF SAVINGS AND HASSLE-FREE RELOCATION. ALWAYS CLICK NEXT AT THE BOTTOM. BE WELL INFORMED.

Preparations:

Returning to the Philippines is one of the most exciting decisions, you'll ever make. It's important to surround yourself with familiar things from home, as they can help make adapting to your new community easier. Whether you plan to ship your entire household or just a few personal items, Manila Forwarders understand how important it is to you that your belongings arrive in a timely manner and in the same condition in which they left. That's why we invest in the people and technology that make a difference to you.

Frequently asked questions:

How much does relocation cost?

The most common question that we receive about household goods shipping is the price. There are a number of factors involved in determining the cost of shipping a container load of household goods and personal effects. But to satisfy one's curiosity, shipping from Port of Los Angeles or Port of Oakland costs around $3,450 but be prepared to spend around $8-15K for all the expenses depending on numerous factors. Manila Forwarder ships from all over the Continental USA, Canada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. It's always free to ask.

Also, the US government, through US Homeland Security's Out-Bound Exam Team conducts random inspections of outbound shipments that cause delays and additional expenses that you will be responsible for paying, aside from the agreed contract amount. This is unpredictable and done at random. With a strict compliance protocol, this is avoidable.

Manila Forwarder will guide you to minimize this by informing you of the rules of international shipping. You are also responsible to familiarize yourself with the shipping restrictions.

Manila Forwarders is Licensed and Bonded by the US Federal Maritime Commission with Licenses no.17312 N/F. Manila Forwarder Phil, Inc, our Philippine office is a licensed customs broker, accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry's Philippine Shipper's Bureau and maintains a fleet of delivery trucks and personnel that covers the whole Philippines..

What container size should I avail?

In order to meet each client's particular requirements from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the Philippines, Manila Forwarders offers a variety of shipping options:

1) < 15 balikbayan boxes- use promo
2) < 15 balikbayan boxes + few furniture, use the 15th box promo + odd shape calculator
3) > 15 balikbayan boxes use 15th box promo plus discount
4) > 15 balikbayan boxes + 2 bedroom furniture, use Less Than Container Load
5) > 40 balikbayan boxes +2 bedroom furniture, use 20' container
6) > 60 balikbayan boxes +3-4 bedroom furniture, use 40' container
7) > 80 balikbayan boxes +3-4 bedroom furniture, use 45' container
8) > 90 balikbayan boxes, use LCL
9) Use Box Container Calculator to estimate which container will fill your needs
10)   If shipping with automobile, please read Vehicle Shipping

What are the required documents?

Passport, US Passport Holders require either Dual citizenship or a 13-G immigrant Visa available at Philippine Consulate. Please download forms Application for Immigrant Visa Forms 3 and 11.
Detailed packing list with a value of content
Proper proof of tax exemptions, if entitled
Copy of agreement with Manila Forwarders
Delivery order notice
For Dual Citizens:
Philippine Passport
American Passport
Birth Certificate (additional requirement)
Oath of Allegiance for Dual Citizens
Identification Certificate
For commercial or donation shipments, please email us the details.

How long is the shipping time/transit time?

Usually it is 1-3 months, depending on various factors. Transit time is provided with real-time online tracking for any changes or delays. Delivery times and dates are subject to change for a variety of reasons, including weather, local public holidays, pick-up locations (within the city, in the region, or on the outskirts), port congestion, and customs clearance.

What if my shipment/items get lost?

Shippers of FCL/LCL maritime insurance are encouraged and offered. Although some may think it is unnecessary, it is always advisable to insure your shipment.

Request for a Container Qoute?

Choice of Ditty Move

Loading the container yourself is very popular among our clients. This saves them a lot of cash as well as allows them to know the locations of their things in the box because they pack it themselves. This dramatically saves them a lot of bundles due to insurance and US labor law requirements.

Ditty Move clients usually do this on a weekend wherein they could invite their friends to help them do the loading. This also serves as their Despedida party where they could have a BBQ while they are loading the container.

During DITTY MOVE, the loading party must have the necessary equipment to do the job right. Please bear in mind that the container is 4.3 feet above the ground. We recommend that you rent a big truck with a loading ramp so that you can park back-to-back to minimize any accidents in loading heavy furniture into the container.

Manila Forwarder may provide you with this lift gate-equipped truck for a fee if in California. Click Pictures

If from a different States or countries, Penske Rental offers trucks with lift gate on per mileage, since you only need the lift gate, it might be more economical for you to just rent one in your local neighborhood Penske or other truck rental providers.

Moveout.com offers packaging materials at a discounted rate delivered to your door.

We also recommend using professional-grade packaging materials in your packaging. Remember that the container gets lifted by a crane to be loaded onto a ship and the ship moves around on the open seas. Click the above banners for details.

You know your shipment, start with a loading plan:

You may use this Box Container Calculator to know how many boxes will fit into a specific size of a container.

The picture below is what the inside of a container looks like. Use the O ring for tying down the ratchet and use 2"x4" lumber for the side slots to secure your items. Be creative. Bear in mind that insurance companies do not protect you from breakage thus you are responsible for putting diligent efforts to protect them. Insurance is highly recommended though that would cover you in case of hijacking, fire, jettison, total loss, and free from the general average liability.

DITTY MOVE, Philippine-side
When the container arrives in the Philippines and you opt to get our full Philippine services, we will be responsible for Customs clearing as well as delivery to the final destination in the Philippines. We will also unload the container for you. You also have the option to do this yourself.

- are loaded into wooden and corrugated containers and shipped via air cargo. 3-7 days to Manila.

Less Than Container (LCL)

- Not enough shipment to fill up a whole container? We consolidate your shipment with other returning residents. We provide utmost care to prevent any mix-up by placing labels and placing segregation blocks on individual shipments. We do customs clearing and delivery, Approximately costs $575 per 1'x 8'x 8' ( 1.8 sqm ) or $ 8.59 per cubic foot. Minimum of 10 feet or 640 cubic feet coming from our warehouse in Los Angeles, CA. Therefore, the shipping cost from LA to Manila for a 10 feet space in the container is $5,750. Plus pick up fee and delivery fee. See cubic feet calculator HERE

One may do a Do It Yourself to avoid the pickup fee and transport your shipment yourself to Manila Forwarder Warehouse and pick up your shipment at our Metro-Manila warehouse in the Philippines.

Popular among our budget-conscious clients is they pack it themselves, load it on a Penske truck and drive to our warehouse at 3964 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065.

We can also transport from any point in the USA to our warehouse using PODS Moving and Storage for out-of-California origin or provide a pick up within California for a fee.

Manila Forwarder has teamed up with PODS Moving and Storage to provide our nationwide customers with simple Less Than Container ( LCL ) Relocation to the Philippines from any point in North America including Hawaii.

If you are only moving a one-bedroom or just a few of your household goods to the Philippines and do not need a regular 20' or 40' full container, Manila Forwarder has the right solution for you with a PODS, an 8'x7'x8' weatherproof steel container. A bigger PODS container is also available 12ft (8'x8'x12'), and 16ft (8'x8'x16').

We will arrange the delivery of 1 unit of PODS storage, a metal, weatherproof container that will be dropped in your parking lot or lawn for up to three days and you simply load your belongings for shipment to the Philippines.

For inquiries:

If you could fill-up a whole container, We could deliver the container to you and pick it when you are finished loading ( 5 days max). A cheaper rate is available if you could finish the loading and let the truck driver wait for you (LIVE LOAD, first one hour FREE. Then, you are charged for waiting time by the trucker). We then ship it to either Port of Manila, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, or Cagayan De Oro depending on your choice and vessel availability. Please contact us early as the pandemic has caused booking scarcity.

See container dimensions below :

PODS 8 foot Container	PODS 12 foot Container	PODS 16 foot Container
Conveniently Small, Surprisingly Roomy - Perfect for a 500 sq. ft. space* or smaller - Mix and match – Often paired with our 16-ft. unit - Great for college students, apartment residents, or people looking to downsize - A popular size for small or partial moves, as well as shipping furniture and other larger items - Comparable to a 5'x10' storage unit or 10' rental truck - Imagine a walk-in closet - Up to 402 cubic ft. of usable space - Dimensions: 8' x 7' x 8'**	Simplify Local Moving or Your Home Improvement Project - Perfect for a 500-800 sq. ft. space* (2 to 3 rooms’ worth of belongings) - Great for smaller moves and bigger storage needs - A popular size for local apartment moves - Comparable to 10'x10' storage unit or 15' rental truck - Available for in-town moving and storage only 689 cubic ft. - Dimensions: 12' x 8' x 8'**	The Perfect Size for Bigger Households - Perfect for a 1,200 sq. ft. space* or smaller - Great for moves requiring temporary storage - Our largest size, and a popular choice for moving a home with 3 to 4 rooms - Comparable to a 10'x15' storage unit or a 20' rental truck - Imagine a parking space in 3D - 835 cubic ft. - Dimensions: 16' x 8' x 8'**

20 foot Standard Container	40 foot Standard Container
20 ft L x 8 ft W x 8'6" H Capacity : 31 Cubic Meters - 1159 c ft Max Cargo Weight 24,000 lbs	40 ft x 8ft W x 8'6" H Capacity : 67 Cubic Meters - 2377 c ft Max Cargo Weight 42,000 lbs

*If you think that a full container is too big, Please download this form ( Excel Program ) and this would automatically compute the total size of your shipment. Please email the accomplished form to us.

Storage Option

Manila Forwarders maintains a weekly shipment. However, as an option, we can store your belongings, including any appliance delivered to us for a few days in our large, secure warehouse. When the time comes, your shipment will be loaded into ocean containers supplied by the steamship line.

We can also store your items in our Manila warehouse for a reasonable fee, a lot cheaper than US storage cost.

Arrival at Destination - Off the Ship

You will be contacted by a Manila Forwarders representative in the US and the Philippines even before you arrive and will be provided with all the information you need to know. Our Door to door service is a hassle-free move. All we need are your original documents and limited power of attorney.

We also offer door-to-port service.

Customs-Clearing your Belongings

You will need some or all of the following original documents:

- Passport, US Passport Holders requires either Dual citizenship or 13-G immigrant Visa available at Philippine Consulate. Please download forms Application for Immigrant Visa Forms 3 and 11.
- Detailed packing list with value of content
- Proper proof of tax exemptions, if entitled
- Copy of agreement with Manila Forwarders
- Delivery order notice
- For Dual Citizens:
- Philippine Passport
- American Passport
- Birth Certificate (additional requirement)
- Oath of Allegiance for Dual Citizens
- Identification Certificate
- Commercial or donation shipments, please email us the details.

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