Why balikbayan boxes from US may not arrive in time for Christmas

If your relatives in Southern California shipped your balikbayan box before Halloween, their cargo forwarder probably had assured them the box would make it by Christmas.

If they shipped your box in September, your chances would be even much better, supposedly.

But cargo bottlenecks in ports both in Southern California and Manila have thrown cold water on those assurances.

Every year, cargo forwarders remind their clients to send their boxes to the Philippines early.

Various promos are extended with discounted rates to make their regular clients even more enticed to work on their Christmas shopping way before the “ber” months roll around.

However, as early as November, Filipinos anxiously awaiting balikbayan boxes with as much anticipation as Santa himself arriving have been told that unless their relatives sent their boxes in August, chances are they will have a disappointing holiday this year.

Double whammy

Delivery delays this year are much worse than anyone had anticipated.

“It’s like we got a double black eye this year,” explains Manila Forwarder CEO Neil Sanchez, “because not only are their delivery delays caused in Manila – even the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach are suffering problems.”

It’s the busiest single month at the Port since August 2006. Container imports in Los Angeles alone increased by 11 percent in September this year, from 370,786 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in September 2013 to 411,507 TEUs in September 2014.

Overall volumes increased nine percent (775,133 TEUs) compared with September last year.

California officials report that unprecedented congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has affected the number of cargo containers moving through the two busiest seaports in the United States, potentially pushing shipments past peak season.

The twin ports have been struggling with slowdowns because of the arrival of larger vessels and uncertainty over labor talks between longshore workers and their employers.

Curve ball

Eric Sycip, president of Victory Cargo, says that his company is using two shipping lines, so that they have not “put all their eggs in one basket,” but the erratic arrival of containers has thrown everyone for a curve ball.

“On the average, delivery now takes 40-45 up to 60 days. But before we could deliver boxes within 24-27 days. However, we can make this promise to our valued customers. We guarantee each and every one of our customers that anything sent through Victory Cargo will be safe and will be delivered.”

Sycip points out that no one is exempt from the ongoing harbor logistical problem.

“Victory Cargo’s saving grace is that we have our own delivery network, and we are able to react a little faster than others because once the container is out of customs and with us, it’s on the road for delivery within hours,” he assures.

Port congestion

Port congestion in the Port of Manila and delays caused by the truck banshave made the cargo delivery slower than ever.

Gone are the days when your balikbayan boxes could be delivered door-to-door in under a month’s time, especially this time of year.

“The result is inevitable growing pains for an industry that is bigger than ever before. And this time of the year is particularly hard for the industry,” Sanchez points out.

“We are shipping twice as much as much as we usually do. We have even almost doubled our staff to process our containers. But the port area size has never changed. We have more shipments than ever, but the port didn’t expand the same way,“ he explains.

Sanchez says, OFWs should consider shipping by air if they want to avoid delays in sending their balikbayan boxes home.