One of the most important things in sending balikbayan boxes, just like in any cargo shipment, is the packing list, or the list of the contents of the particular box that you are shipping to the Philippines. And yet, many senders and cargo forwarders tend to ignore its importance.

Philippine Bureau of Customs per Memorandum Circular # 79- 90 Section 2.2.13 requires the submission of Export Declaration and Packing List. Atlas Shippers International, in compliance with the said provision, asked for a duly completed packing list for every box shipped. Shipper or customer is required to list the contents of the balikbayan box in a separate paper to ensure that there are no restricted items included.

Packing lists are often included in the invoice or bill of lading that cargo companies give to senders to fill up. But often, senders just fill up portions on the sender’s and beneficiary’s information such as names, address and contact information, and for some reason, leave the portion on the contents of the box blank. Some agents, on the other hand, are too in a hurry to transact business that they accept the box without the needed packing list and just place “Personal Effects” in the commercial invoice.

Cargo freight forwarders won’t be able to determine if there are suspect items inside those boxes unless the senders cooperate by truthfully declaring the boxes’ contents by filling out the packing list. By looking at the packing list, forwarders can identify items that are prohibited by both the laws of the US and the Philippines. That way, the agent picking up or receiving the cargo can tell the sender to remove the disallowed item.

By looking at the packing list, the agent can also determine if there are items that can break during the numerous loading and unloading stages along the way. Broken items often cause complaints by senders despite repeated warnings by cargo companies not to include breakable goods. Also, a broken bottle of wine or juice or even perfume can damage other goods in the box or the entire box itself.

The packing list can also help resolve disputes on missing items that some senders complain about. Although this is not a foolproof way of determining the true contents of the box because cargo companies cannot open the boxes once packed and strapped, senders are required to declare the contents through the packing list under pain of perjury and must, therefore, certify that the packing list submitted contains the true contents of the box. However, be reminded that insurance policies often limit payment of lost or damaged items up to only $200 per box, so I suggest you don’t include very expensive items in the box.

You all know by now that the Department of Homeland Security has been conducting r a n d o m i n s p e c t i o n s o f containers in an effort to protect American ships and commerce, and to prevent smuggling of prohibited and taxable goods.