New Normal in Balikbayan Box Shipping
Manny Paez
Los Angeles, CA
Manila Forwarder offers "No Physical Contact Balikbayan Box Shipping' in line with new safety concerns brought by Covid-19 Pandemic which caused the majority of balikbayan box company to stop their operations.
Classified as an essential business, Manila Forwarder continuous to operate and implemented various safety and operational modifications.
Based in Los Angeles, California, the company was founded in 1998 by Manny Paez, a retired US Navy with expertise on Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Radiological consequence management.
Armed with the intensive education and background in this field, Manila Forwarder management and staff, started planning and formulating their course of action the moment the news of Covid 19 was detected in China in December 2019.
The company's prepared emergency gear and supplies were re-stocked and the company's regular training was refocused in operating in Covid-19 scenario in case the pandemic reaches the Continental United States, which it did in March 2020.
Manila Forwarder staff in the US and in the Philippines have been working from home since the 2010 aside from their brick and mortar offices located in 3964 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Manila Forwarder Phil, Inc office is located in Valenzuela City, Metro-Manila where most of its staff resides.
Manila Forwarder now encourages its clients to use advanced scheduling from their website, www.manilaforwarder.com. The website can also be accessed via mobile smart phones.
By filling up the online form, it will generate the house bill of lading, customs declaration, and packaging label that a client can save in their computer for future reference.
The label, complete with all the required information and bar code, will then be taped on their package, making it all ready for pick up.
On the designated day of pick up, the client will receive a call a day or an hour before the Manila Forwarder staff arrives for pick up. The Manila Forwarder van’s GPS location can also be shared to the client.
The client will then take out their package in a secured place outside their home, usually at their door step.
This allows Manila Forwarder to pick up their clients' package without going inside the client's home. Payment can be by check, or credit card that will be sent via secured email platform. Cash can also be accepted and it will be disinfected accordingly. Thus, preventing the physical contact between the client and Manila Forwarder personnel.
Aside from its box request, box pick up, box tracking and box follow up, Manila Forwarder website also show's its pricing and other services and promotions. It also has a shipping calculator for items that will not fit on the regular balikbayan box or Jumbo box.
Live chat and daily updates is also available on Manila Forwarder's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/manilaforwarderUS.
Manila Forwarder realizes that not all of their clients are computer-savvy, thus the company still do the traditional balikbayan box shipping protocol. Manila Forwarder continuously disinfect themselves, their vehicle and equipment before entering a client's house. They also observe all social distancing protocols.
To those who want the total convenience of online shopping, a client can shop on any online store, have it delivered to our designated warehouse and Manila Forwarder staff will pack and ship it on a balikbayan box. For more details, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsvY13kcr1Y&t=338s
Manila Forwarder's US phone system allows their US and Philippines staff to work from home. However, the Philippine telephone system does not have that capability. Manila Forwarder encourages their client to use their web-portals for communications.
Delays is also expected during this time for the traditional ocean and air cargo. For time essential shipments, Manila Forwarder also offers DHL and FedEx shipping not only to the Philippines but worldwide.
Manila Forwarder also offers Ria and BDO for worldwide money remittance.
Even with all the preparations, the Covid-19 pandemic have and will continue to cause changes in our lives. Everyone just have to adapt and be dynamic with the new normal.
