5 Things You’ll Find in Balikbayan Boxes Sent to the Philippines

(Sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines? What’s inside this special package?
Image Source: http://bit.ly/2DTe4Im)

Ever wondered what’s inside a balikbayan box? If you are one of the rare Pinoys who doesn’t have relatives working abroad, you probably have no idea why there’s such craze for this package. Well, OFWs are sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines for a special reason: it serves as their connection to their loved ones back home. Every item inside this package contains the warm hugs and kisses OFWs long from their family that is why each good is valuable. Here are five of the most common things you’ll find inside a balikbayan box:

Chocolates

Pinoys undeniably have sweet tooth that is why chocolates are very much appreciated inside a balikbayan box. This is especially true if they are imported chocolates made from the United States, Switzerland, or Germany. Candies and gummy bears are also a good addition to satisfy your family’s sweet cravings. And they are not only for the children; adults equally love them too.

Clothes & Shoes

If you love designer clothes from the US, your titos or titas announcing they are sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines should be a good news. This would only mean new, imported blouses, jeans, or skirts for you because hey, designer clothes are a staple in balikbayan boxes. And maybe you heard someone ask their relatives for “size 10” as pasalubong, which means a new pair of shoes is on its way. Why not since imported clothes & shoes are generally cheaper when bought abroad?

Imported Food

Spam, Vienna sausage, corned beef—non-perishable foods are a must in every balikbayan box because Filipinos generally have a big appetite, especially for imported goods. Aside from canned goods, Pinoys also love to munch on imported cookies, biscuits, and cereals as long as it would survive the long journey abroad.

(It’s an OFW kid’s favorite. Image Source: http://bit.ly/2s4uVmf)

Hygiene Products

Filipinos rarely buy imported brands for hygienic stuff so they also appreciate soaps, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, and cosmetics in a balikbayan box. For bottled liquids, make sure to pack and seal them well so they won’t spill in transit.

Toys

One of the hardest aspects of being an OFW is leaving your kids behind to give them a better future. And to make up for this, our kababayans make sure they pack their boxes with toys to bring out the biggest smiles on their children’s faces. Stuffed toys, dolls, robots—even the simple things can cheer up the kids. Just make sure you don’t send toy guns and other banned items to avoid issues with the Bureau of Customs.



If you’re planning to work abroad in the near future, there will be a time that you will be sending a balikbayan box to the Philippines. You’ll understand more why these packages are special for our kababayans, and why such material things like clothes & toys are so precious to them.