As a child I patiently wait for new episodes of cartoons. A week seems like forever.
But when it comes to a balikbayan box shipping from Canada to the Philippines, I was excited with every passing day.
The struggle in opening the box. The cold, pleasant smell of everything inside. It’s all worth the wait.
Related Post: Tips on How to Pack Balikbayan Boxes
But now, it is my turn to give back and let someone experience the same feeling I had as a child.
Be forwarned though, all OFWs has to master one more thing other than packing a lot of things in the balikbayan box.
I was fortunate to send all the balikbayan boxes to my family in the Philippines in spite of a few weeks of delay.
I’m grateful to have recommendations from relatives about a reliable freight forwarder.
If you don’t know who to ask or want to learn more, I gathered a list of freight forwarders that I’ve read in the newspaper and searched online.
Note: the list is not an endorsement. I still encourage you to check any positive and negative reviews about the company before sending off your well-packed boxes to a long journey out in the sea.
And if you know a reliable agent that is missing on the list, leave a comment. I’ll update the post for everyone’s convenience.
Related Post:
- Send an iPhone in the Philippines
- Sending Package Through DHL
- Send Package from Philippines to Canada
UPDATE: The suspension of CAO 5-2016 and CMO 14-2017 will take effect until March 31, 2018.
Reminder: Click here for more information about the update of suspension. The Bureau of Customs has a NEW RULE about duty and tax-free balikbayan boxes. Download the information sheet for consolidated shipments of balikbayan boxes.
Balikbayan Box Shipping Company
I arranged the list in alphabetical order and not based on significance. Choose wisely. Compare the price and avail the discount if any.
Tip: Send small balikabayan box to save more money and time. Quality is better than quantity.
1. Atin Ito Freight Forwarder Inc.
Address: 938 Pape Avenue, Toronto, ON M4K 3V2
Tel: 416-424-1141
Website (unfinished)
2. Big C Cargo
Cargo Pick Up
- Sea Cargo: Free pick up
- Air Cargo: 20x20x20, small parcels (letter, shoe box up to 50 lbs per box)
Contact Information
Address: Unit 113 – 15277 – 100 Ave. Surrey, BC V3R 8X2
Tel: (778) 395-2626
Mobile: (604) 783-8948
Fax: (604) 496-5075
Email: info@bigccanada.com
Website | Facebook
Other Service: Remittance, The Filipino Channel (TFC), travel, and grocery.
3. Forex Alberta
It offers weekly shipping from Calgary to the Philippines. You can track the shipment online and choose from different balikbayan boxes: regular, bagahe, and bulilit.
Calgary Price (Pick Up and Thursday Drop Off)
Manila – $75, $65
Suburbs – $80, $70
Luzon I – $85, $75
Luzon II – $90, $80
Visayas – $95, $85
Mindanao – $100, $90
Related Post: Balikbayan Box Shipping Review: Forex Alberta
Contact Information:
Address: 328-39th Avenue S.E. Calgary, AB T2G 1X6
Tel: (403) 873-6739 / (403) 243-2912 / (403) 232-6712
For after office pick up: (403) 399-2912 / (403) 399-2553
Fax: (403) 243-2003
Toll Free: 1-866-503-6939
Toll Free: 1 (866) 503-6739
Email: forexcalgary@forex-orientalcargo.com, forex_alberta@hotmail.com
Website
Office Hours:
Monday to Saturday (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)
Sunday (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Branches:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatchewan
Other Services:
- Air parcel
- Money remittance
4. Forex Alliance Cargo Inc.
Address: 16722 113 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 2X3
Tel: (780) 468-2822
5. Forex Toronto
Forex Toronto was established in April 1998. It provides courier service to the Filipino community in Toronto. On May 19, 2016, the Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence (two consecutive years) was awarded to Forex Toronto.
Regular and Baby Box Pick Up Price:
Metro Manila – $80, $55
Luzon I – $90, $65
Luzon II – $95, $65
Visayas – $105, $70
Mindanao – $110, $75
Other areas (Catanduanes, Masbate, Palawan) – $110, $75
Contact Information:
Address: 515 Milner Avenue Unit 10 Scarborough, ON M1B 2K4
Tel: (416) 335-8555 / (416) 609-3843
Fax: (416) 609-3843
Toll Free: 1-855-367-3986
Email: forex_toronto@yahoo.ca
Website
Office Hours: Monday to Sunday (8:00 am – 10:00 pm)
6. Golden Island Freight
Address: 3181 Wolfedale Rd, Mississauga, ON L5C 1V8
Tel: 905-615-0209
7. Jenrich Fast Cargo
I had sent balikbayan boxes from Canada to the Philippines through Jenrich Fast Cargo in the past. (Again, this is not a sponsored post for Jenrich or any company.)
The introductory price was charged for regular parcel boxes which were replaced for free when my boxes were picked up.
The company send the boxes through direct shipping from Calgary to Manila. Within five weeks, my family received the boxes.
Regular Box Pick Up and Drop Off Price:
Manila – $70, $60
Suburbs – $75, $65
Luzon I – $80, $70
Luzon II – $85, $75
Visayas – $90, $80
Mindanao – $100, $90
Contact Information:
Address: Suite 101, 6036 3rd St. SW Calgary, AB T2H 0H9
Mobile: (403) 615-6465 ALO (403) 607-1305
Tel: (587) 354-0993 / (587) 354-0994
Office Hours:
Monday to Saturday (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)
Sunday (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Other Services:
- Travel agency
- Money remittance
8. LBC Express
While other balikbayan box shipping companies show the box prices based on the destination, on LBC Express website you can calculate the cost by entering the size of the box and details of the package.
Try this feature and confirm the cost to get the best deal. Through the live chat, you can schedule a pick up date.
Branches:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
Other Services:
- Money transfer
- Bills payment
9. Manila Express
Manila Express was suggested by a reader so here’s a bit of information.
The balikbayan boxes of Manila Express are shipped from Vancouver to Manila. The fee for the following boxes range from $60.00 to $120.00 which depends on the destination:
- Big balikayan box (18″ x 18″ x 29″)
- Love box (14″ x 14″ x 21″)
Branches:
- Alberta (Calgary, Camrose, Edmonton, and Fort McMurray)
- British Columbia (New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, Warehouse, and West Vancouver)
- Manitoba (Winnipeg)
- Ontario (North York and Scarborough)
- Quebec (Montreal)
- Saskatchewan (Regina and Saskatoon)
- Yukon (Whitehorse)
Other Services:
- Bank to bank transactions
- Door-to-door delivery
- Cash card
- Pick-up transaction
- Cargo deliveries
10. Reliable Cargo Express Corp.
When I was writing about how to send money online to the Philippines, I discovered Reliable Peso Remit Inc. Later I found out that it is part of a company that also has a balikbayan cargo box service known as Reliable Cargo Express Corporation.
The shipping service comes with $300 insurance and box replacement. If you are worried that the boxes will get stuck in the warehouse, you’ll be glad to know that, Reliable Cargo Express offers weekly shipment.
Regular Box Pick Up:
Manila and Rizal – $80
Luzon – $95
Visayas – $105
Mindanao – $115
Occidental Mindoro – $105
Oriental Mindoro – $125
Palawan – $115
Contact Information:
Main Office
Address: 4132 Bathurst St., North York, ON M3H 3P2
Tel: (416) 631-7773
Mobile: 416-631-7373 / 416-836-6008 / 416-658-5568
Toll Free: 1(888) 658-4361
Email: canada@reliablegroup.ca
Website
Branches:
- Toronto and Scarborough, Ontario
- Red Deer, Alberta
Other Service – Remittance: door-to-door, bank to bank, cash pickup, bill payment, and food delivery
11. RP Express
Address: 1245 A. Kamato Rd, Mississauga, ON L4W 2S7
Tel: (416) 258-1652
12. Starbox Express
Box Pick Up:
Manila – $80
Luzon – $90
Visayas – $100
Mindanao – $105
Contact Information:
Address: 1133-20800 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6V 2W3
Tel: 604-284-5010
Website
13. Star Cargo Express
Star Cargo Express offers weekly shipping. If you send two regular boxes then you’ll only pay $10.00 for a bulilit box.
Contact Information:
Tel: (403) 201-1840, (403) 243-3800
Regular Box Pick Up and Drop Off Price:
Manila – $65, $55
Suburbs – $70, $60
Luzon I – $75, $65
Luzon II – $80, $70
Visayas – $85, $75
Mindanao – $95, $85
14. StarKargo
ABS-CBN StarKargo started in U.S. and in 2016 it provides door-to-door shipments from Ontario, Canada to the Philippines.
An Ontario resident and TFC (The Filipino Channel) subscriber can avail the %5 off in StarKargo. You can also track the package online.
Among the freight forwarders, StarKargo has an organized, informative website which add to its credibility.
But that’s not the only criteria of an accredited freight forwarders that you should look out for.
Contact Information:
Authorized Agent: MCA Cash and Cargo
Drop-Off Locations: 1445 Courtneypark Drive East, Mississauga ON, L5T 2E3
Tel: (416) 495-7007
Telephone (inquiries in the Philipppines): (632) 638-2171
Email (inquiries in Ontario): customerserviceCA@abs-cbni.com
Website
Branches:
- Kitchener
- Cambridge
- Mississauga
- Thornhill
- North York
15. Sunfreight Cargo International Edmonton Ltd.
Cargo Rate: Call for the current rates.
- No pick up charge within Edmonton area.
- Free box replacement.
Contact Information:
Edmonton Head Office & Warehouse
Address: 11616 – 149th Street Edmonton, AB T5M 3R3
Tel: (780) 757-9861 – store/remittance
Tel: (780) 756-0119 – cargo operations
Fax: (780) 757-9862
Email: sunfreightcargo@yahoo.com
Website
Red Deer Office
Address: B2 – 2319 Taylor Drive Red Deer, AB T4R 2R1
Tel: (403) 358-5500
Email: sunfrtrd@shaw.ca
Branches:
- Alberta: Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie, Kinsela, Lloydminster, Peace River, Saint Paul, Slave Lake, Valleyview, Vegreville, Wetaskiwin, and Whitecourt
- British Columbia: Fort St. John and Dawson Creek
- Saskatchewan: Humbolt, Kindersley, North Battleford, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon
- Northwest Territories (NWT)
Other Service: Remittance and Filipino products and specialty foods.
16. UMAC Express Cargo
Established in 1988, UMAC was known back then as Forex Cargo. It was the pioneer in the freight forwarding industry.
Wondering what is the origin of company’s name? It was named after Teodoro “Uncle Mac” M. Carino Jr., the late Chairman of the Forex Family of Companies.
Pros:
- In-house fleet of delivery trucks
- Free box strapping and box replacement
- Track your box online
- DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) accredited
Regular Box Pick Up Price:
Manila – $80.00
Rizal – $85.00
Luzon I – $90.00
Luzon II – $95.00
Visayas – $100.00
Mindanao – $110.00
Philippines Head Office:
Address: 130 Ipil St. Cor. Ipil Ext. Marikina Heights, Marikina City
Tel: (632) 941-4212 / (632) 475-4057 / (632) 475-4229
Fax: (632) 475-4058
Email: customerservice@umaccargo.net
Website
Branches:
- Vancouver, British Columbia (604) 759-8622
- Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 788-4539
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (306) 954-3458
- Calgary, Alberta (403) 452-8622
- Edmonton, Alberta (587) 520-8605
- Regina, Saskatchewan (306) 570-3721
Summary
As of February 28, 2019, these are the list of accredited sea freight forwarders from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Atin Ito Freight Forwarders Inc.
Big C Cargo
Forex Alliance Cargo Inc.
Forex Cargo Alberta
Forex Toronto
Golden Island Freight
Jenrich Fast Cargo
LBC
Reliable Cargo Express Inc.
Starbox Express Inc.
Sunfreight Cargo International Edmonton Ltd.
Umac Express Cargo
Final Thoughts
I’m guessing there are more freight forwarders in Canada because some of the companies in the list doesn’t have a website and rely on print advertisement.
So before I end this post, I encourage you again to contribute in the list.
Lastly, your feedback either good or bad can help the OFWs to send balikbayan box from Canada to the Philippines through a reliable freight forwarders.
How was your experience in sending balikbayan boxes?
We have successfully shipped multiple large boxes with LBC Express in Richmond, BC (Vancouver Airport Area) for years. The employee have been helpful and accommodating. Boxes take about 4-5 weeks to Manila and about 7-8 weeks to Visayan destinations. Our large family has never had a box opened or lost as they use a security tape and signature stickers on the top and bottom. The boxes can arrive in fairly rough condition occasionally so pack they well and bubble-wrap any items requiring extra protection. I must MJ (station manager) and Mai are (office supervisor) are pleasant and professional. Get your paperwork done ahead of time for a smoother experience.
How much is per box and what size is your box?
Hello,
I’ve used Starbox Express twice already. My only concern now is that, I will be sending designer bags in the Philippines probably 10-15 pcs, something like cross body bags and perfumes. I just don’t want to carry them with me in my check in luggage when we go home this coming December. Will the customs in the Philippines hold my box and ask me to pay for taxes or my box will directly be shipped to our house? I needed answers for this one please. Hope you guys can help me out. Thank you so much.
I’ve never done this before Chiena so I can’t tell based on experience. Maybe others can share their thoughts. Nonetheless, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Bags are like any other imported items from Canada, only difference is the price.
Hi, yes you will pay 20-40% of declared value as they will check it. I paid 25k for 60k worth of parcel
I used Manila Cargo for over 10 years and never had a complaint or problem, then the last time my opinion changed. My boxes arrived, they looked fine under a new layer of wrap, so they were signed as appearing great. Inside was another story, I had a stainless steal computer, formerly a server, that was so bent and almost everything inside the box was destroyed, as if it fell out of a truck while going down the highway, or off a second floor.
Well, I thought, things happen even accidents so I contacted their main office in writing, but no reply, wrote them again a month later, no reply, tried to contact their Facebook page, they ignored my efforts to contact.
I now regret my loyalty to their business. I don’t even mind waiting longer, but I do expect honesty, they actually tried to hide the damage to get it accepted.
I sometimes order through Amazon and have them shipped sa Pinas using POBox.ph. I do this for items na ala dito at items na obviously cheaper sa States (I dunno why mas madalas mura mabibili sa Amazon to think na made in China at mas malapit ang Pinas kesa US such that it should be cheaper dito in terms of added costs owing to transportation). My experience w/ POBox is mixed because of the actual freight forwarder used in shipping my box from California to Manila. If Forex Cargo tracking number is what I receive, I can readily almost get instant online update sa website nila (mabilis and seems automated ang tracking info where minutes ang lag between box movement and tracking info update). However, if Umac Cargo ang na-received kong tracking number, nakupo, kabaligtaran ng Forex. Online tracking info update seems dependent on when its staff can update the website. So in case na out for delivery na pala yung box at aalis ka pala ng bahay, di mo malalaman. Unlike Forex, at 7:00 or 8.00 AM., you can see sa tracking website nila na out for delivery and you just have to wait for it. Parang sister companies ang Forex at Umac but their services are day and night apart.
Thanks to your tip. I might consider POBOX instead of sending balikbayan boxes which is costly and time consuming. I like to shop online and Amazon.com has more choices than Amazon.ca although I might need to pay more depending on the foreign exchange. I look forward to all the forwarding companies to have online tracking to put their clients mind at ease.
To be honest, I have a friend from Canada and he will be coming back in the Philippines by next year alone. However, he doesn’t really know how to send his packages to us since it’s his first time ever sending a packages. I guess, this post is a big help for him. I’ll try to refer this to him. Thanks and I appreciate your time.
Hi, which is the most reliable company you can recommend to send balikbayan box from Calgary to Philippines North Luzon?
I can only give feedback about Jenrich and Forex. I haven’t tried other forwarding companies other than these two. So far all my boxes arrived in Manila but it takes longer than 2 months for Jenrich to deliver my boxes. Can you share with us Jen what company you go for?
Jenrich is not best to recommend right now! 2 months and 23 days hindi na didiliver. It’s been 2 weeks nasa Customs pa daw. Ayusin naman po niyo ang service nyo! Forex is the most reliable Fast Cargo in Canada! Never again to Jenrich. 😌😌😌
Hi! Is it safe to send money online at Reliable Peso Remit Inc.? I just have read your review above but no further information about online remit. Can you share your experience about. Thank you.
I haven’t tried Reliable Peso Remit Inc. For remittance, I recently tried Remitly (wait for the review) but PayPal has been tried and tested way to securely send money in the Philippines.
I am using World Remit.. . so far it’s great and they can pick it up in M Lhuillier.
I’m using Reliable Peso Remit when sending my monthly remittance and highly recommend based on my experience so far.
Please is there a very reliable freight forwarder from Nova Scotia to Surigao del Sur? Thanks for your answer.
I called Manila Express. They dont send balikbayan box anymore Just remittance only they have.
It looks like Manila Express are out of business.
Hi Evelyn. Have you tried calling the Manila Express?
Any feedback for Reliable Cargo Express Corp. when sending BB box to PH? How many weeks to receive the box in Manila?
I sent 5 boxes, 1 went to Pangasinan and 4 to Bataan. Sent 12/7/2019, the Pangasinan box was delivered 1/24/2020. The Bataan is still sitting in Pasig warehouse since 1/16/2020. My family followed up the Pasig warehouse, and said that may be next week. I use Reliable, they contracted different company to deliver cargoes in the Philippines.
Hi, which one of these cargo’s practically is the best sending a box from Toronto to Leyte, most importantly including one tablet for my in-laws. Thanks.
I wonder if AMJ Campbell still sends boxes to Manila, as I haven’t seen them on the ads anymore. Are they still providing services?
Never heard of AMJ Campbell but let’s see if other readers will have an idea about it.
How many days does the package arrive from Canada to Butuan City Philippines?
That’s hard to tell. But in my case, I the boxes arrived in Manila between 1.5 – 2 months. It depends if the boxes get stuck in the customs or other reasons. Call the forwarding company for more reliable feedback.
Hi Chit, do you have the contact number for luzvimin in mississauga?
I always send my boxes through LUZVIMIN here in Mississauga to manila. They charge $75.00, about 6 to 8 weeks my family received the package. Xp express their Philippine counter part based in cavite. Contact Ray or Nope Santiago for pick-up. Their shipment is every 10 days.
Excellent site. Last year I successfully used Manila Express (Vancouver) to ship 3 BB boxes to a residence in Oriental Mindoro. The shipment worked well. On another matter, do you know of any shippers who serve the Ottawa area? All the Ontario companies mentioned seem to serve the greater Toronto area exclusively. Thanks, John
Know anybody who can pick up cargo from Victoria and send to Bohol? Thanks Sol.
You can try Manila Express. Press CTRL+F and type the keyword (eg. Victoria) to navigate the site. Refer to the blog post for updates.
I sent a box on August 30, 2016; until now it didn’t arrive. I had 2 months vacation in the Philippines; I came back and the box is still not delivered.
Hi Julita. It’s quite unusual to hear your story. Have you tried contacting the cargo shipping company. Are they returning your call/email etc? This is not a good sign to do business with such company. Hope you can give us an update.
I asked my friend to follow up last November 2016 and they said that it’s already in Manila warehouse ready to be delivered. When i came back I missed placed the receipt and didn’t call again. Only when my sister reminds me that she haven’t received yet my box, so I tried to find the receipt again. She said she will call them one of these days so I sent her the information. Last night I was trying to used the tracking number to locate it. It said this tracking number is unavailable.
I guess someone should come to their office in Manila since it’s been so long.
Great idea, thanks.
I have sent LBC box from Toronto to Cagayan de Oro in 2014 and it arrived December 1st week earlier than expected. It cost $80 (Canadian dollar), at that time…in terms of the route, I wonder if the box will go to California before it will be sent to Manila Philippines because in the United States depending on which state you are, the boxes are enrouted to one place to another depending which port is closer to your state . After which, a certain period of time you then can track the box online using LBC tracker. You cannot track the box right away online by the time they pick up on day 1.
Thanks for the information Claire. I think the process is the same thing here in Canada. I asked the staff of a cargo shipping company and he said, the box is transported in the port of Vancouver. From there it will take 2 months or more before the boxes arrive in Manila. And since you mentioned online tracking, I’ll check mine once I sent balikbayan boxes in the Philippines from Canada. (It was my family who track it online and contact the company in the Manila office.)
Hi UMAC Toronto has an agent to pick up in New Brunswick area, his name is Ed Sayson 506-721-8146
Thanks for the info Jonah. Additional info could also help like Facebook page or website.
Here in Fort Mcmurray,are there people dealing with balikbayan boxes.Asian mini-mart was not but it was them w/c was in the manila express list.
Thanks!
Hi! Do you know any freight which can bring my stuffs from manila to calgary? Thanks
Hi Frances, I think that’s a great topic for a blog post so stay up-to-date.
Hi, Frances. Here’s a new post that answers your question: Send Package from Philippines to Canada.
How about New Brunswick. Can you recommend any?
I’ll update the blog post once I found a courier service in New Brunswick. Thanks for asking.
Try Manila Express I don’t see them listed here but I personally have no complaints. I have full confidence in their ability from when my boxes are taken to the main office to when they are delivered to Leyte and Mindanao. I have found Mindanao takes about one week additional time .
I’ll look for more info about Manila Express Jim, and add it on the list. Thanks!
Boxes going south include Leyte and Mindanao are delayed. Boxes sent in September have not arrived. I have talked with three other people that are experiencing the same situation. Last word I had was boxes would arrive December 31 but nothing has arrived. Of the three people I know that also sent boxes in September one filipina has one out of three boxes. Definitely something is wrong.
The main problem is that we can’t track the boxes on line. Forex Cargo Alliance Edmonton tracking box is a dud. Leads nowhere and only tells you that you have sent something. You must phone them. But again, their voice mail box is always full and can’t leave messages. When you reach someone, it is 50/50 if they are too busy to check. USA has a tracking APP but Canadian numbers don’t work in it.
Options are: keep calling until you get lucky, Call in Manila directly or hope for the best your box will be there on time regardless of our worries and concern.
Mario