The box is open and you don't know what to put in
It's the moment. The balikbayan box is on the floor, open, waiting. You want to pack everything: the clothes you bought for your mother, the Spanish ham for your uncle, the vitamins, the perfume, the old phone that still works...
But then the doubt kicks in. Can I send food? What about ham? And a laptop? What if customs stops my box and confiscates everything?
The good news is that the answer to almost all of those questions is yes, you can. The balikbayan box is surprisingly flexible. The list of what CANNOT go is very short — and it's common sense.
This guide clears it up once and for all.
The general rule: you can send almost anything
Many online guides scare you with endless lists of restrictions. The reality is much simpler: you can send pretty much anything you want in a balikbayan box. Clothes, food, electronics, hygiene products, toys, tools, household items...
The balikbayan box exemption program allows you to send personal goods with a value not exceeding PHP 150,000 (approximately €2,500) without paying customs duties. That ceiling is annual and per sender, across a maximum of three shipments: it is not 150,000 per box.
What's prohibited is what would be prohibited in any international shipment: dangerous, illegal things or items that could cause harm. Let's go through it.
Everything you CAN send (which is almost everything)
Clothes and textiles
- New and used clothing — no practical limit
- Shoes, bags, belts, accessories
- Bedding: sheets, blankets, towels
- Fabrics and sewing materials
Clothing is the most common content. Over 70% of the balikbayan boxes we process contain clothing as the main item.
Food — including ham, cured meats and canned goods
- Spanish ham, chorizo, cured meats — yes, you can
- Canned goods (tuna, sardines, peaches, tomatoes)
- Chocolate, biscuits, sweets
- Coffee, cocoa powder
- Packaged nuts
- Pasta, rice
- Olive oil (well sealed and protected against spills)
- Packaged snacks
- Powdered milk, condensed milk
- Spices and condiments
Surprised about the ham? It's one of the most frequent questions we get. Yes, you can send ham and cured meats in your balikbayan box. Make sure it's vacuum-sealed so it stays fresh throughout the journey.
Electronics and gadgets
- Mobile phones (new or used)
- Tablets and laptops
- Chargers, cables, headphones
- Watches (including smartwatches)
- Video game consoles
- Small appliances (blender, hair dryer, iron)
- Cameras
There's no problem sending electronics. If you're sending several high-value new devices, keep the receipts in case customs asks.
Hygiene and personal care products
- Shampoo, shower gel, soap
- Moisturiser, sunscreen
- Deodorant (not aerosol)
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes
- Nappies and baby wipes
- Makeup and cosmetics
Medicines and vitamins
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen and common medicines
- Vitamins and supplements
- Prescription medicines (in original packaging, reasonable quantity)
Toys and children's items
- Plastic toys, stuffed animals
- School supplies (notebooks, pencils, backpacks)
- Children's clothing
- Baby bottles and accessories
Household items
- Kitchen utensils (pans, pots, cutlery)
- Tableware (well protected)
- Tools
- Home decorations
- Household linen
What CANNOT go (the short list)
Here's the only stuff that's actually prohibited. It's common sense:
Prohibited — no exceptions
- Drugs and illegal substances
- Weapons and ammunition (including replicas)
- Explosives and flammable materials (petrol, solvents, fireworks)
- Cash — sending banknotes by parcel is illegal
- Radioactive or toxic materials
- Counterfeit products — fake branded clothing, bags or watches may be confiscated
Prohibited in air cargo
- Perfumes and sprays (aerosols) — they are flammable and not allowed in air shipments
- Loose lithium batteries — batteries inside devices are fine; loose ones aren't allowed in air cargo per aviation regulations
Be careful
- Large quantities of liquids — not because they're prohibited, but because they can leak and damage everything else. Seal them well
That's it. If it's not on this list, you can probably send it.
Quick reference table: can I include it or not?
| Item | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing (new and used) | ✅ Yes | No limit |
| Ham, chorizo, cured meats | ✅ Yes | Vacuum-sealed recommended |
| Chocolate and sweets | ✅ Yes | Packaged |
| Canned goods | ✅ Yes | Well protected |
| Olive oil | ✅ Yes | Well sealed |
| Coffee, pasta, rice | ✅ Yes | Packaged |
| Vitamins and medicines | ✅ Yes | Original packaging |
| Cosmetics (non-aerosol) | ✅ Yes | — |
| Perfume and sprays | ❌ No | Flammable, prohibited in air cargo |
| Phone, tablet, laptop | ✅ Yes | Keep receipt if new |
| Video game console | ✅ Yes | — |
| Small appliances | ✅ Yes | — |
| Toys | ✅ Yes | — |
| Tools | ✅ Yes | — |
| Drugs | ❌ No | Illegal |
| Weapons | ❌ No | Illegal |
| Cash | ❌ No | Illegal |
| Explosives / flammables | ❌ No | Dangerous |
| Counterfeit products | ❌ No | May be confiscated |
| Loose batteries (air cargo) | ⚠️ Careful | Inside devices is fine |
5 tips to pack your balikbayan box like a pro
1. Wrap liquids in airtight bags. Olive oil, shampoo, shower gel... any liquid can leak during transit. Use zip bags and tape. 2. Heavy items at the bottom, fragile on top. Canned goods, shoes and dense clothing at the base. Chocolate, electronics and delicate items on top. 3. Fill the gaps. A box with empty spaces shifts during transport. Use clothes, towels or paper to fill every gap. 4. Make a contents list. Not mandatory, but it speeds up customs clearance and protects you in case of a claim. We help you with this. 5. Vacuum-seal the ham. If you're sending cured meats, vacuum sealing keeps the product fresh throughout the journey and prevents odours in the box.Not sure about a specific item?
If you're unsure whether something can go in your balikbayan box, ask us before packing. At Acacia Cargo we've processed hundreds of boxes and can tell you in a minute whether your item can go or not.
Our airborne balikbayan box service includes:
- Content advice — we tell you what's allowed and what's not
- Air cargo in 7-15 days from €90
- Professional customs handling included
- Real-time tracking until delivery