As per Wikipedia:
"A balikbayan box (literally "repatriate box") is a corrugated box containing items sent by overseas Filipinos (known as "balikbayan's"). Though often shipped by freight forwarders specializing in balikbayan boxes by sea, such boxes can be brought by Filipinos returning to the Philippines by air."
I know many immigrants send money back to their home countries to support relatives, but didn't realize there were businesses set up especially for sending boxes back.
When we first came to Canada we used to send gifts via mail for all special occasions. However due to the rising price of shipping I don't do that very often now, I tend to order online and ship directly from the UK. However I did send a package over to my mother last Wednesday and she got it in Britain on Saturday morning. Fast or what!
So this was my new thing I learned about on Monday. Always good to start your week off by learning something new, right?
3 comments:
I had never heard the term before.
The hospital I work in is awash in posters from the shipping companies. There are also companies that send "barrels" to the Caribbean.
Some of the staff from the Phillipines at work put far too much in those barrels. They need to look good back home. We have one nurse that tells everyone she will take all the gwp from make up companies that we don't want for her boxes! Factor in the shipping costs, I really don't know why they just don't transfer the cash. But it's about prestige items, one guy told me. The family can sell them on.
Never heard of that before. It sure is nice to learn something new. Thank you.
God bless.
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