History
The balikbayan box arose in the 1980s with the law enacted by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos causing a resurgence of Filipinos working overseas. The Philippine Bureau of Customs Circular allowed tax-free entry of personal goods in the country from Filipinos overseas. People then began sending items through friends and co-workers who were returning to the Philippines.
The balikbayan box business started in 1981 in New York by Mr. Monet Ungco, who founded Port Jersey Shipping. Two months later, Mr. Rico Nunga started REN International, based in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1998, Manny Paez of Manila Forwarder offered a bigger balikbayan box and called it jumbo box. After Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) hit the Philippines in 2009, Manila Forwarder introduced a re-usable plastic shipping container called Bianca and Roland Shipping drums.
In the last quarter of 2010, the balikbayan box industry in the United States was scrutinised by the US Department of Homeland Security. Almost all shipments have been delayed and an extra fee was levied on all balikbayan box shipping companies. Balikbayan box companies then organised the Pilipino American Shipper's Association (PASA) to help the government and consumers in policing the balikbayan box industry against unlicenced companies.
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