I currently have a house/lot around the Dumaguete area however I will be temporarily moving back to the U.S. and need to get all of my gadgets, clothes, etc (smaller items only that will fit in a jumbo/large balikbayan box) back to the U.S. for 12-24 months. Then I will need to re-move it all back to Dumaguete. All of my items will definitely not fit in a suitcase or 2 for that matter and LBC wants in excess of P25-40k!! which I feel is ridiculous. Time it takes for delivery is not a factor so if it sits on a boat and gets sent over cargo and takes 2 months I dont care. I just need it all eventually. Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to do this? I know in the U.S. to send a large/jumbo balikbayan box with unlimited weight restrictions costs $75 and takes around 2-3 months to receive here in the Philippines. This seems much more reasonable then paying $500-1000+ through LBC. Thanks guys
Assuming you are flying back :-) Here is the link to baggage allowance on Philippine airlines. Baggage Allowance and Fees As I read that it says 2 pieces at 50 pounds each and each additional piece is $150. That sounds like a lot but depending how much you want to bring, $150 for 50 pounds seems reasonable. They also do oversize/overweight packages but the price looks to be about $450 as I read it. Still, its there when you get there. I know they don't like to do it as I was in the check in line behind a family with about 8 large boxes and the clerk made them stand aside and wait for a special handler to help them so if you do it, get there early and make arrangements.
I agree with "outcast", I have shipped than 15 or 18 boxes with Manila Forwarder and have always been happy. Not cheap but as cheap as any of the others.
I assume you know that shipping TO Phil is relatively cheaper than shipping FROM Phil because they are filling otherwise empty containers on the trip back to Phil. I know someone who shipped all her stuff from the UK to Phil but found after only a few months that her children were not settled and so moved back; because of the expense of shipping everything back she decided to sell it all in Phil (also to give some to family) and buy again in the UK. I think that illustrates the economics in most cases. Also, if you will be without your stuff for at least 3 months on the journey back to the USA and then another 3 months back to Phil (i.e a minimum of 6 months and probably longer ... I am guessing realistically 8 months min.) then why not just take the REAL ESSENTIALS (much of the stuff I shipped here is in storage boxes unused) and put the rest in storage here. This is what you may be doing anyway; I don't know.
Another piece of economics here is: What would a similar item cost in the USA (possibly used) and how much could you sell it for 2 years later in the USA MINUS what would it cost to send it from Phil to USA. So, for example, if it would cost $50 to buy in the USA and cost $30 to ship the one you currently have in Phil (calculated as a % of the volume of the box) and you can sell it for $25 two years later then the 'real cost' to you is $50-$25 = cost you $25 and saved you $30 shipping fee ... so a net saving of $5 ... seems very little but applied to many objects (some far more expensive possibly) could be significant PLUS the fact you have the use ALL the time and do not risk potential LOSS or DAMAGE of your item during two sets of shipping.
