Returning Resident?
Ship your personal goods
Safely and conveniently
Returning Resident?
Ship your personal goods
Safely and conveniently
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Personal Effects and Household Goods Shipping Guide
Who are eligible to returning resident privileges?
You qualify if you are:
- A Filipino citizen who has been abroad for at least 6 months
- An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
- A naturalized U.S. citizen with proof of Filipino descent
- A client without legal papers (TNT)—we can assist in establishing eligibility with the Philippine Embassy
What items can I ship?
You can ship the following household items:
- Furniture
- Appliances (new or used)
- Personal effects
- Kitchenware
- Food items
- Memorabilia
- Jewelry
- Toiletries
Can I ship a vehicle?
Yes, vehicles must be shipped separately, and containers with vehicles can only contain car-related items. For more details on shipping cars, refer to our Car Shipping Guide.
What items are prohibited from being shipped?
- Drugs
- Firearms
- Ammunition
How much does it cost to ship my goods?
- 20-ft container: Estimated $10,000–$12,000
- 40-ft container: Estimated $12,000–$14,000
- Additional fees if U.S. Customs inspects the container: $1,500–$2,500
How long will it take to ship my items?
- West Coast to Manila: 30–40 days
- East Coast to Manila: 35–45 days
What documents do I need to provide?
- U.S. Citizens: U.S. passport, SSN, proof of Philippine descent
- Filipino Citizens: Green card, Philippine passport or birth certificate
- All Clients: Packing list/inventory and SSN (Packing list is encouraged but not mandatory)
What is the shipping process?
- Booking: Book your container (20-ft, 40-ft, or LCL) and make a downpayment.
- Loading Schedule: A 3-day loading window will be scheduled for you to load the container .
- Parking Permit: Check and process if parking permit is required in your street.
- Pickup: After loading, your container will be picked up for shipment.
- Customs: Your shipment will go through customs in Manila before it is released for delivery.
- Unloading: The client is responsible for unloading, or items will be temporarily stored at Forex eShip’s Valenzuela warehouse if direct delivery is not possible.
Can I pack my items in balikbayan boxes?
Yes, you may use balikbayan boxes for overflow, and discounts apply. Forex eShip also provides some free empty boxes, and clients are responsible for packing and loading their items. Temporary storage is also available in Forex eShip warehouse (if client needs to move before scheduled pickup).
Can I ship items before I return to the Philippines?
Yes, you can ship your items years before returning as a one-time privilege.
Does the customs release require my presence?
No, you do not need to be present for the customs release in Manila.
What other details do I need to know?
- A contact person in Manila is required for final delivery.
- A downpayment is required for temporary storage in the Forex eShip warehouse if needed.
Can my spouse avail of the service separately?
Yes, your spouse can avail of the service separately.
II. Car Shipping Guide
Who can ship a used car to the Philippines?
Only qualified returning residents can ship a used vehicle, and this privilege is available once in a lifetime. Qualified returning residents include:
- Filipino citizens who have lived abroad for more than 6 months.
- Filipino citizens with a U.S. green card.
- Former Filipino citizens who are now U.S. citizens with dual citizenship and a valid Philippine passport.
What are the conditions for shipping my car?
- You must have owned the vehicle for at least 6 months before shipping.
- The vehicle must be fully paid off (no outstanding loans or liens).
- Once the vehicle is cleared by Philippine Customs, it must stay registered in your name for 3 years, and you can’t sell it during that time.
What documents do I need to ship my car?
Here’s what we’ll need to get the process started:
- Pink Slip (Vehicle Title)
- Proof of Ownership (showing you’ve owned the car for at least 6 months)
- Valid Passport, Proof of Philippine Citizenship, or Green Card
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Proof of Residency Abroad (showing at least 6 months outside the Philippines)
Can I ship other items with my car?
Unfortunately, you can only ship car-related items (like tires or spare parts) inside the vehicle. No extra household items can be included.
Do I need to be in the Philippines for the customs release?
Nope! You don’t have to be physically present in the Philippines. Our trusted broker will handle all the paperwork and customs clearance for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Personal Effects and Household Goods Shipping Guide
Who are eligible to returning resident privileges?
You qualify if you are:
- A Filipino citizen who has been abroad for at least 6 months
- An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
- A naturalized U.S. citizen with proof of Filipino descent
- A client without legal papers (TNT)—we can assist in establishing eligibility with the Philippine Embassy
What items can I ship?
You can ship the following household items:
- Furniture
- Appliances (new or used)
- Personal effects
- Kitchenware
- Food items
- Memorabilia
- Jewelry
- Toiletries
Can I ship a vehicle?
Yes, vehicles must be shipped separately, and containers with vehicles can only contain car-related items. For more details on shipping cars, refer to our Car Shipping Guide.
What items are prohibited from being shipped?
- Drugs
- Firearms
- Ammunition
How much does it cost to ship my goods?
- 20-ft container: Estimated $10,000–$12,000
- 40-ft container: Estimated $12,000–$14,000
- Additional fees if U.S. Customs inspects the container: $1,500–$2,500
How long will it take to ship my items?
- West Coast to Manila: 30–40 days
- East Coast to Manila: 35–45 days
What documents do I need to provide?
- U.S. Citizens: U.S. passport, SSN, proof of Philippine descent
- Filipino Citizens: Green card, Philippine passport or birth certificate
- All Clients: Packing list/inventory and SSN (Packing list is encouraged but not mandatory)
What is the shipping process?
- Booking: Book your container (20-ft, 40-ft, or LCL) and make a downpayment.
- Loading Schedule: A 3-day loading window will be scheduled for you to load the container (client must load; Forex eShip does not assist).
- Parking Permit: Check and process if parking permit is required in your street.
- Pickup: After loading, your container will be picked up for shipment.
- Customs: Your shipment will go through customs in Manila before it is released for delivery.
- Unloading: The client is responsible for unloading, or items will be temporarily stored at Forex eShip’s Valenzuela warehouse if direct delivery is not possible.
Can I pack my items in balikbayan boxes?
Yes, you may use balikbayan boxes for overflow, and discounts apply. Forex eShip also provides some free empty boxes, and clients are responsible for packing and loading their items. Temporary storage is also available in Forex eShip warehouse (if client needs to move before scheduled pickup).
Can I ship items before I return to the Philippines?
Yes, you can ship your items years before returning as a one-time privilege.
Does the customs release require my presence?
No, you do not need to be present for the customs release in Manila.
What other details do I need to know?
- A contact person in Manila is required for final delivery.
- A downpayment is required for temporary storage in the Forex eShip warehouse if needed.
Can my spouse avail of the service separately?
Yes, your spouse can avail of the service separately.
II. Car Shipping Guide
Who can ship a used car to the Philippines?
Only qualified returning residents can ship a used vehicle, and this privilege is available once in a lifetime. Qualified returning residents include:
- Filipino citizens who have lived abroad for more than 6 months.
- Filipino citizens with a U.S. green card.
- Former Filipino citizens who are now U.S. citizens with dual citizenship and a valid Philippine passport.
What are the conditions for shipping my car?
- You must have owned the vehicle for at least 6 months before shipping.
- The vehicle must be fully paid off (no outstanding loans or liens).
- Once the vehicle is cleared by Philippine Customs, it must stay registered in your name for 3 years, and you can’t sell it during that time.
What documents do I need to ship my car?
Here’s what we’ll need to get the process started:
- Pink Slip (Vehicle Title)
- Proof of Ownership (showing you’ve owned the car for at least 6 months)
- Valid Passport, Proof of Philippine Citizenship, or Green Card
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Proof of Residency Abroad (showing at least 6 months outside the Philippines)
Can I ship other items with my car?
Unfortunately, you can only ship car-related items (like tires or spare parts) inside the vehicle. No extra household items can be included.
Do I need to be in the Philippines for the customs release?
Nope! You don’t have to be physically present in the Philippines. Our trusted broker will handle all the paperwork and customs clearance for you.
