Christmas shipping
Send your Christmas balikbayan box by early September.
Sea cargo from Northern California to the Philippines takes roughly 6 to 8 weeks, and December is the busiest month at Philippine ports. Booking your pickup in August or early September is the safest way to have the box under the tree.
- Ship by early to mid September for Christmas
- Metro Manila and Luzon arrive fastest
- Visayas and Mindanao: allow an extra week
- Free boxes and free home pickup, as always
Christmas timing by destination
| Destination | Transit | Book by |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Manila and Luzon | About 6 weeks | Mid September |
| Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, Pangasinan | 6 to 7 weeks | Early September |
| Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod | About 7 weeks | Early September |
| Davao and the rest of Mindanao | 7 to 8 weeks | Late August |
Dates are guidance based on typical sailing schedules — call 1-800-285-2797 for the current cut-off.
How it works
- 1
Book online or call
Tell us your address and how many boxes you need.
- 2
We drop off your boxes
Free delivery of empty boxes anywhere in Northern California.
- 3
Free home pick-up
Pack at your own pace, then we collect the boxes at your door.
- 4
Door-to-door delivery
Sea cargo to the Philippines and delivery to your recipient's door.
Pick your Christmas box size
One flat door-to-door rate per box by size and destination zone — never by the pound. Empty boxes are sold at cost.
Macho
24" x 18" x 24"
Our best seller. More room for bedding, larger appliances and bulk grocery items.
Empty box $12 each
Regular
23" x 17" x 20"
The classic balikbayan box. Clothes, canned goods, shoes, toiletries.
Empty box $10 each
Junior
18" x 8" x 6"
Small shipments and care packages — perfect for quick, lighter loads.
Empty box $5 each
Christmas shipping questions
- When is the last day to send a balikbayan box for Christmas?
- Send by early to mid September for a comfortable Christmas arrival. Sea cargo from California takes about 6 to 8 weeks and December is the busiest season at Philippine ports, so earlier is always safer.
- What if I book in October or November?
- We will still ship it, but arrival may fall after Christmas — especially for Visayas and Mindanao addresses. Call 1-800-285-2797 and we will tell you the realistic arrival window before you pack.
- Can I send food and gifts for Noche Buena?
- Yes — canned and packaged food, chocolates, coffee, clothing, toys and toiletries are all fine. No perishables, cash, jewelry, aerosols or flammable liquids.
- How do I make sure it arrives on time?
- Book your pickup early, label the recipient's full address with two contact numbers, and keep your transaction number so you can follow every milestone on our tracking page.
Book your Christmas pickup now.
The earlier your box sails, the earlier your family opens it. Two minutes to book.