What do I have to declare at customs in the Philippines?

What do I have to declare at customs in the Philippines?

When entering the Philippines, all travelers are required to complete a Customs Baggage Declaration Form. This form must be submitted to a Customs Officer for clearance, and it is important to declare all carried goods, including their quantity and value.

Some of the items commonly asked to be declared on this form include:

• Cash and monetary instruments
• Duty-free goods and items purchased at duty free shops
• Prohibited or regulated items, such as firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Commercial goods
• Goods in excess of the allowable duty free allowance

Duty free allowance

The Philippines allows a duty free allowance of up to 10,000 Philippine pesos (PHP) per person for goods purchased abroad. This allowance is only for personal use and does not include items purchased for commercial purposes.

Prohibited and regulated items

Some items are prohibited from being brought into the Philippines, while others are regulated and require special permits or licenses. These items include:

• Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
• Narcotics and dangerous drugs
• Counterfeit goods
• Endangered species and their products
• Child pornography
• Obscene materials
• Gambling paraphernalia

Penalties for false declaration

It is important to declare all carried goods accurately on the Customs Baggage Declaration Form. False declarations can result in penalties, including fines, confiscation of goods, and even imprisonment.

Additional information

For more information on customs regulations in the Philippines, please visit the Bureau of Customs website at https://www.customs.gov.ph/.