Shipping from USA to Philippines

Importing goods from the USA to the Philippines need not be a hassle as long as you’re informed about the required documents, taxes and duties. The information below should be a good guideline.

Importing used household goods

If you’re a diplomat, a temporary resident, or a returning citizen of the Philippines from the USA, it’s only natural for you to want to import your personal effects and belonging into the country. Doing so is fairly easy, but the documents and duties differ depending on your relationship with the country.

i. Diplomats need to present a copy of their diplomatic passports along with the tax exemption certificate from their embassy in the USA. All items, as long as they’ve passed diplomatic protocols, can be transferred into the country duty-free.
ii. All non-residents must provide the Customs Department with their original passport stamped with the right Visa, a work permit and a certificate of employment if applicable, a contract, or student records if the consignee is still a student. Non-residents who qualify for the benefit must also present a letter of request for tax exemption, or better yet, a certificate exempting them from taxes.
iii. Officials or employees of certain regional offices in the Philippines are also exempt from importation taxes but must provide their original passport with an EO226 Visa, a tax exemption certificate, a copy of the company registration, and their latest income remittance.
iv. Returning residents need to pay limited duties for their imported household items and must show their original passport to clear these items.

All household items must come with a detailed inventory with second-hand valuation (for used items) or attached original invoices (for brand new items). To qualify as a used item, these household effects must have been in the ownership of the consignee for six months or longer prior to the departure from the USA.

If dutiable, the consignee must pay 50% of duties and 10% tax before items can be cleared. Diplomats, holders of EO226 Visas, and/or non-residents may enjoy duty-free transfers of all items which are considered used (i.e. six months or older). Misrepresentation of items in the inventory and other forms may be cause for impoundment of the shipment.

Importation of vehicles

All vehicles must come with the original bill of landing, import authority permit (only for non-diplomats), proof of ownership and original registration from the USA, deed of sale and invoice, vehicle title, stencils for engine numbers and the vehicle’s chassis, vehicle keys, DFA passport certification, and CID arrival certification.

The Philippines is especially strict with their importation rules on vehicles. They also change rules frequently, so it’s best to consult the Embassy before importing any type of vehicle from the USA to the Philippines. While diplomats, returning citizens, and special immigrant Visa holders may import automobiles duty-free, they must first get approval from the Bureau of Import Services.

Should the vehicle not quality for duty-free importation, 65% to 150% duties will have to be applied. All imported vehicles must be no older than 5 years of age and must be left-hand drives. For imported vehicles which are 3-years-old or newer, proof that they were owned by the consignee for 6 months or longer needs to be provided.

EO226 Visa holders and returning residents who were out of the Philippines for less than one year may import vehicles but these are liable to 200% duties. Motor vehicles must weigh 1500kg or less, and have 2800cc engines.

If shipped with the consignee’s household items, the vehicle must have a separate bill of lading. The information here is just a guideline. For more specific shipping instructions, please contact the Philippine Embassy or Consulate directly.

Industrial machinery, boats, and aircrafts

Industrial machinery, boats, and aircrafts may be imported from the USA to the Philippines as long as proof of ownership is submitted, the vehicle comes with complete registration forms, and are represented in the inventory with their proper commercial values. The duties and taxes must be paid before said vehicles are released to the consignee. Permits must also be acquired before these vehicles can be used in the country. For more specific information regarding the documents and permits for these vehicles, contact the Embassy of the Philippines in the USA before importation.