Best Posts in Thread: Balikbayan and what to put in it

You may also want to reach out to other members from Ireland on the forum (by posting) that you are from Ireland, and may be able to bring them somethings they need with you or in the box if they are small items. I had a fellow here ship a few things to my house in the US, to include in my shipping boxes to here.. It is a good way to make friends contacts in advance to coming here. I did that and it worked out well for me.

 

Most things are available here, but the quality is very low compared what you have there, even if your product comes from China. The quality of Filipino products, mostly made in China is very poor here. This is acceptable to the Filipinos, but may not be acceptable to you. You know new word trading (Columbus times) was based on the spice trade. I would certainly ship any spices that are your favorites as them may be difficult to impossible to find here. Razor blades for shaving are usually of much lower quality, even when you buy the brands you are familial with.... some how we get a muc lower quality product here.
I would suggest a few long term items, such as good quality flatware for eating, nice dinner place sets, and good pans for cooking and a good set of knifes. In the US the most reasonable quality to value is from Ikea. I purchase all new flatware, dinner settings and knifes to I would have something for the long term here. Seldom do you find these things of good quality.

I purchased and sent over a a gas fired barbecue from WalMart in the US, that now cost 4,300 P and shipped it for another 2.200 P. A similar set here in the hardware store sells for about 16,000 P. All sets are from China, so it makes no sense to me the higher price here. I purchased the gas canister here.

Remember most metal products sold here are of very low quality metal, and last a short amount of time. A good quality tools that would fit in a box is wise choice. Remember the electricity here may be different than yours.

If you are a large size man, you may want to ship clothes in your size, as anything above the standard American X-large is difficult to find here. Remember the Filipinos are usually smaller than most foreigers consequently large clothes may not be available particularly in Dumaguete. .Shorts is the predominant wear all year long. Long pants are rarely worn. Cebu, a 5 hour bus ride, does have almost anything you may want to buy to wear.

When shipping from the US, I was told the there was dollar amount, but TV's were not worth it as customs may etiher tax them... or take them. Customs is one of the currupt agencys here.

In closing I would ship anything that was a particular favorite of yours that may not be available here, like branded items. Read the posts to see what people are looking for here. I have spices that I shipped over three years ago that still work here. Shipping food, can goods etc is a waste unless you have a specialty item you can not live without.

Good luck... welcome to adventure land....