After carefully packing my Balikbayan box with all the goodies for my new home, the journey began. On May 2, the box was picked up from my residence, marking the start of its long voyage.
The Journey Begins
On May 10, the box was loaded onto a vessel and departed from the US. It was on its way, and I couldn’t help but track its progress regularly. The voyage across the Pacific took about three weeks, and the box arrived in China on June 1, after a shipping time of 22 days.
Unexpected Delay
However, not everything went as smoothly as planned. From June 12, my box was held up at the port in China due to “port congestion.” This unexpected delay lasted for an entire month, until July 12. Patience is key in these situations, but it was still a bit frustrating to see the progress stall.
Back on Track
Finally, on July 17, the box left the congested port of China and continued its journey towards Manila. The vessel arrived at the Manila port on July 21.
Final Steps
The box then had to pass through Customs inspection, which it did on July 23. After clearing all the necessary checks, it was delivered to my residence on August 1.
The Outcome
I was relieved and happy to find that the package looked intact with no damage. Considering the long journey and the slight hiccup in China, it was an overall smooth and painless experience. Shout out to LBC Shipping for their great service! If you need to send a Balikbayan box to the Philippines, I highly recommend them. Check them out here.
Sending a Balikbayan box can sometimes be a test of patience, but the joy of receiving your belongings makes every step worthwhile.
By the way, if you’re an expat in the Philippines like me or just love travel and get cool shirts, don’t forget to check out my online store for some awesome souvenir t-shirts, coffee mugs, and accessories. Head over to my shop and grab some cool stuff!