🇺🇸 United States → 🇵🇭 Philippines
Compliance path
US-Philippines parcel and commercial flows clear Philippine Bureau of Customs at NAIA or Manila Port with 12% VAT and ASEAN-Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature duty. Personal-import de minimis is PHP 10,000 (≈USD 175). The Philippines is the world's top remittance recipient per capita; courier parcels of personal effects ('balikbayan box') receive duty-free treatment up to PHP 150,000 per family per year if shipped via accredited consolidators. USPS to Manila averages 7-12 business days.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from United States to Philippines?
Travellers entering Philippines from United States are subject to Philippines's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 2 L
- Cigarette allowance: 400
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 200
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 10000
2. Can I post goods from United States to Philippines?
Parcels move through Philippines's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 9 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and customs process international mail. Balikbayan boxes up to PHP 150,000 value are tax-exempt once per year. Regular postal parcels follow standard de minimis rules.
3. Can I import commercially from United States to Philippines?
Yes. Commercial importers into Philippines need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Bureau of Customs (BOC), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
No FTA is in force on this lane, so MFN tariff rates apply. Philippines levies 12% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: PHP 10,000.
Under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the de minimis threshold is PHP 10,000 (approximately USD $175–$200). Goods valued at or below this amount are exempt from duties and taxes. This was raised from PHP 1,000 by the CMTA in 2016.
5. FTA + rules of origin
No FTA is in force on this lane. MFN tariff applies; check Bureau of Customs (BOC)'s tariff tool for line-level rates.
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Philippines.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Philippines:
- Firearms and ammunition (PNP Firearms and Explosives Office permit required)
- Medicines and controlled substances (FDA Philippines clearance required)
- Food products (FDA registration required)
- Plants and animals (Bureau of Plant Industry or Bureau of Animal Industry permit)
- Gambling devices
- Certain electrical equipment (Energy Regulatory Commission requirements)
9. Official sources
- Bureau of Customs (BOC) — destination customs authority.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — origin customs authority.
- Philippines country profile — full source panel and rule index.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from United States to Philippines as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from United States entering Philippines are subject to Philippines's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 2 L. Cigarette allowance: 400. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 200. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from United States to Philippines?
Yes — parcels move through Philippines's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 9 days. De minimis: PHP 10,000. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from United States to Philippines?
Yes. Commercial imports into Philippines require an importer of record, customs declaration via Bureau of Customs (BOC), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. MFN duty applies; check the destination's tariff tool for the applicable rate.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Non-FTA lane: MFN tariff applies. Philippines levies 12% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below PHP 10,000.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
No agreement is in force on this lane, so a Certificate of Origin is not required for preferential duty. It is still useful for valuation and product-compliance purposes.
What is Philippines's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Philippines must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.