Sending a Balikbayan Box to New Zealand

Chances are you might not be able to bring all the stuff you want to bring to New Zealand on the plane due to weight limitations (anywhere between 20 to 30 kilos, depending on the airline). And like me, you might be forced to send a balikbayan box via door-to-door/freight forwarder. There are a few out there. But my friend recommended to me PhilNZ Global Cargo (Adonis Abrogena, 09303560055; adonis.philnz @ gmail.com). It is located at Ocean-Link at the Port Area of Manila (just google it for the exact location).

When you get to Ocean-Link, don't expect to see a big sign of PhilNZ Global Cargo. There's none. Either PhilNZ is just a trade name or maybe PhilNZ  is concessionaire. But don't worry, it's a legit operation. There's just no physical office. Parang different cargo companies all share one terminal. Anyway, you just have to ask around. Look for Adonis. He'll take care of you.

I sent one balikbayan box to Auckland. The standard size is 20x20x20 (although you can send odd sized boxes, just be prepared to pay more). PhilNZ recommends "Star" Balikbayan Box, available in National Bookstore. Yun daw ang matibay. But if you ask me, parang hindi rin. Just to be sure, I suggest you buy those cloth box covers (pictured above) to ensure nothing falls off in case of deformation during shipping.

The rate for one box is NZ$180.00 (around PhP6,120). You pay it upon delivery in New Zealand na. So you don't pay anything to Adonis in Manila. If you don't have time to drop it off at the port, you can have PhilNZ pick it up. There's a pick-up charge of NZ$30.00.

Below are the rest of the terms and conditions of PhilNZ Global Cargo:
 
  1.    Nothing to pay in Manila or Cebu. All (except pick-up charge) are payable in

        Auckland  upon delivery or prior (BANK DEPOSIT) if final destination is outside

        Auckland.

  2.    Pick up is Not FREE if sending one box only. Shippers/Senders has an option to

        deliver their box to our warehouse to avoid paying pick-up charge.  Pick up charge

        payment is optional (upon pick-up or can be paid in NZ). Pick up address

        is in Metro Manila or Cebu City only. Our Manila or Cebu office will guide on how to

        go to our warehouse
  3.    Pick up & Delivery one address only.
  4.    If sending 2 or more boxes, marking on the boxes should be to one

          person only.
  5.    Boxes should NOT contain any kind of FOOD, used  vacuum

        cleaner, used camping or used sporting equipment like Golf Set or Golf Shoes,

        garden tools etc. Cigarettes or Liquors to avoid extra charge on  MAF Inspection

       & NZ Customs Tax & Duty. Seasonings /  Mix are considered  food.

  6.     Extra charges: MAF Quarantine & NZ Customs Clearance Charges / MAF

        Quarantine Inspection / Customs Duty or Tax) will be pre paid by ourselves

        in order to secure clearance for your box. The original invoice/bill/receipt by the

        authority will be given to you to indicate the actual payment. These extra charge

        will be included on your total payable charge.
  7.    We charge by the size of the box used and not by the weight. All boxes are Flat &

        Square and strongly packed. Odd size box or over filled box are acceptable BUT

        extra charge will be imposed. Calculation of extra charge is done “PRO RATA”

  8.    NO INSURANCE all at shipper’s risk – Our charge doesn't include Insurance.

       People are not encouraged to load Valuable items / Breakable /  Fragile items.

  9.    COMMERCIAL Consignment (goods of commercial quantity).

       The above and our charges doesn’t apply to commercial consignment. 

  10.  STORAGE – 3 days FREE STORAGE. Free storage commenced from the date

       of the clearance of the goods. You will be advised soon as your box  are cleared

       and ready for delivery. 

PhilNZ ships to New Zealand only twice a month, so always call and ask when's the next scheduled shipment. Also, it takes about 5 weeks to get to New Zealand. So take that into consideration.