Over the years, I have had items shipped into the Philippines from various places. Sometimes I order goods and have them shipped in. Sometimes friends and readers send me gifts (thank you to those who have done so, BTW). In addition to my own experiences, I also hear from others who e-mail me or talk to me in person and ask about having items shipped in and problems that they have experienced in doing so.
I have experienced problems with this kind of thing over the years too.
Probably the most complaints that I hear from foreigners on this topic are complaints about customs charges. I have done some looking into this, though, and have learned a bit, so I thought I’d share this information with you today.
PhilPost Philippine Mail
I remember about 5 years ago, I had a new DSLR camera. It was an expensive model at the time, a Canon Rebel XT. I paid over $1,000 for it and the accessories that came with it. A friend hand carried this for me to the Philippines, so there was no customs to be concerned with. However, I decided to order two extra battery packs for the camera through Amazon. These were both after-market batteries (not Canon brand batteries). They were very inexpensive, the two batteries cost less than $15. So, I did not expect that customs would really be a big issue, given the low price of the batteries. When the batteries were delivered (as I recall it was either through FedEX or DHL), the “customs charge” was nearly $50. $50 taxes on a pair of batteries that cost less than $15? Whoa!
Over the years I have heard such stories from many expats. They pay charges of $30 to $50 for customs on items that are worth way less than that! It doesn’t seem right. Our conversations always seem to turn to the fact that the Philippine Customs Department is charging way too much on such packages. Or are they?
How much will the customs be?
Well, I have found that they really are not overcharging at all. The vast bulk of that money you are paying for customs is not going to the Government at all. It is going to FedEX, DHL, UPS and such, the people who are handling the shipping. You see, those companies are charging you to fill out the papers for customs. There are reports and declarations that must be filed to facilitate the inspection of those packages by the Customs Department. The shipping companies are charging huge amounts just to fill out that paperwork, and the cost is to be paid by the recipient of the package. For example, if you send a package to your girlfriend or wife here in the Philippines, it might cost her $50 just to receive the package, because of the charges. And, you can bet that the shipping company is getting the vast majority of those funds (even though you already paid a shipping charge). In fact, I believe that the shipper may be getting $49 out of $50 that they charge to you, just for filling out the forms!
In the past month, I have gotten two packages from the USA. The first package contained some items that I ordered from a seller on eBay. The seller was in North Carolina, USA. The total amount of the items that I ordered was about $275. When the package arrived, do you know how much the customs charge was? P40. That’s a little less than $1. Last week, I got another package. This was from a blog reader and Facebook friend, he sent me a gift. I don’t know for sure the value of the items he sent me, but I suppose reasonably it could be around $100 or so. Know how much I paid for customs? P40 again.
Why am I paying so little for customs suddenly?
It’s simple. Both of these packages were sent through the Post Office. Yes, that’s right, through the Post Office. It is notorious that the Philippine Post Office (it’s called PhilPost) is rampant with corruption. Perhaps you have experienced such corruption… a package you sent never arrived, or it arrived missing some items. Well, the truth is that I have never had such an experience using PhilPost. But, I am not saying that such incidents don’t happen, I am only saying that I believe they occur way less often than you may believe from “what you hear.”
The key to using the Post Office and getting your package there safely lies in using some type of mailing that is registered and tracked. A package that is registered and tracked can easily be shown where it went astray if such an event happens. That makes it more difficult for somebody to steal, and thus makes it a lot more likely that your package will make it to it’s destination. Sending in a way that is registered and tracked is not so hard or expensive. You just need to use a service like International Priority mail or something of the sort. You get a tracking number, and can check right on the Internet to find out where your package is. And, the good thing is, for almost any package coming via the Post Office, the customs fee is P40. That’s nothing!
Now, I am not advising you that if you want to send a watch or a diamond ring to the Philippines you should send it through the post office. But, if you want to send some batteries for a camera, or some other item that is relatively low in value, well, the Post Office is a pretty reliable way to send it. The shipping is also cheap, and I have found it reliable, and the customs fees are very low. Why pay a shipping company to fill out papers? Probably most of those forms are computer generated anyway.
So, next time you think that the Philippine Government is ripping you off with customs charges, look at the forms a little more carefully and see who is getting the bulk of that money! You might just be surprised. I know I was.
Bob Martin is the Publisher & Editor in Chief of the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine. Bob is an Internet Entrepreneur who is based in Davao. Bob is an American who has lived permanently in Mindanao since May 2000. Here in Mindanao, Bob has resided in General Santos City, and now in Davao City. Bob is the owner of this website and many others.
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Now that is useful information. Thanks
Hi Robert – I’m glad that you found it useful. I know that I was surprised when I learned more about those customs charges!
Bob,
Good info to know, thanks so much. How about just sending regular first class letters?How is the reliability in receiving them? Thanks alot for any info you can provide. Have a nice day!
hi Papa Duck – To be honest, I use a mail consolidating service in the USA. All of my letters are gathered and sent to me via DHL whenever i request them to be sent. So, I have no experience using first class mail. Sorry about that.
I have sent at least 20 letters through the Postal Service to Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro. It takes about 3 weeks for them to get there. All of those I have sent did reach their destination I always send a confirmation letter to Hotels I make a reservation with, well ahead of time, as a back up. I believe mail from the USA arrives in Manila by air and is then sorted ( I don’t know if by hand or automation ), then it takes about 5 days from Manila to a postal distribution center in CDO. Once again mail is sorted ( not sure if by hand or automation ) and is then sent to the cities or area post offices it is addressed to. The final step is local delivery to the recipient. That is the best I have been able to determine how a letter gets from me to the end recipient. Letters I have received back also take about 3 weeks to get to me.
It’s good that they all made it, Bob! Further confirmation.
Bob,
Thanks so much for the good info. How about sending letters by regular 1st class mail? When i live there permanently i will be receiving my annual tax statements. I’m worried about not receiving them. What do you suggest for this? Thanks alot for any info you can provide. Have a nice day!
Bob,
Sorry for the duplicate posts. I didn’t think the first one went through because it did not post up.
Hi Bob- Thanks for the great info. So does this mean that in order to get something sent via Phil Post in the Philippines I would need to send it via US Post from the States? I just wanted to clarify. Thanks!
That is correct, Casey. If you send it via USPS, it will enter the PhilPost system when it reaches the Philippines.
Is that fee going to be the same with some thing like a laptop computer if sent through the post office registered mail from say Portland Oregon to Ormoc City Philippines?
I mean the customs fee?
The standard customs fee here for electronics is 12%. I purchase laptops from the USA on a regular basis for my business and its always 12%. That’s not bad in my opinion.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I always use USPS Priority Mail International and I’ve never had a problem with delivery or miss-handling of the items whether it was a laptop or delicate electronic parts that I needed to repair a clients computer. 2 thumbs-up for USPS!!!
No way of knowing. But, the customs fee on a laptop will be high, that is certain.
how much fee is it?
As I already said, Vhal, I have no way of knowing. Any number I would say would be nothing but a guess.
Hi There…..
I ám working in Korea and planning to send a laptop through EMS…but unfortunately my brother lives in Bukidnon and I’ve read that they have to personally pick the items in Custom’s office in Pasay..Is there any other option that it would reach Bukidnon?
Hi Ivan – I live in Davao City and have never had to go pick up anything in Pasay before, and I get lots of packages.
Thanks for the info.. You’re awesome
do you have any idea how much it cost for shipping a car to philippines? i would like to ship my bmw from germany. probably how much it will cost???
Generally, the duty on a car is 100% of the new price of the car. That does not include the shipping, only the taxes. Also, you cannot ship in a car that is more than 5 years old.
Hi Bob,
It might be worth noting that the sender has to be careful what they declare the value of the package to be. My daughter sent a package with maybe $100 US value to it. On the label she indicated that the value was around $200 because she included the postage. The post office here in GenSan opened and inspected the contents and charged me a hefty fine er I mean fee. I did get a laptop battery sent from Hong Kong and the fee was small.
Hi Tom – That’s an interesting experience. I never had such a problem with the Post Office.
Bob..good post….as far as sending thru the USA post office…you the sender do the paper work before you take to the post office and then they put it all in their computor data base and etc and its a done deal….How ever..its more work now than what it used to be…I no because send stuff international from time to time and the Customs here in the USA changed things some what…you have to list each item on the custom form..the weight and the cost and my quess is that what you total up with better come close to what they get as weight at the post office..[of course allowing for weight of the box and some packing]…The USA post office has 2 or 3 intenational priority flat rate boxes and price runs around $13.50 for the small one..around $45.00 for the medium size one and close to $65.00 for the large one..and belive you are insured for up to around $70.00 or so for the contents…..next if you want to spend the big money ..you can send Global Priority USA mail and that gets expensive…but you can insure up to around $2500.00 and they offer 3 day service…..also on all you can track with the customs number pretty much…..as far as Fed-x or UPS or Dsl..for get them..they will rip you a new one…for sure…..so you are pretty much right on what your post said…….from what I have experinced…with the Post Office here you pretty much do the customs work your self….of course for any one interested you can go to the USA POSTAL WEB SITE and its all there….even the 2 customs forms……now if you are not in a hurry..you can also send small box.[can now weigh over 4 pounds ] and go’s slower but never had one get lost…….so……belive you hit it good…..its those other company’s that are making the money on customs fees and they have the receiver over the barrel, untill they pay the big fees…..so…sure you post will help those out or help them become more informed on shipping stuff to the Philippines or having some one ship something to them….
Hi Dan – Thanks for sharing your experiences. It sounds like you’ve done a fair amount of international shipping!
Hi Bob – A lot of the confusion regarding customs overcharging runs all the way back in history to the Spanish era. Customs officers were appointed individuals who were in favor with the government. Unpaid, they were required to pay the crown a certain amount of money each year, regardless of the amount of duties they collected. Additionally, they were free to set their own duty fees. Any excess collections over the amount due to the crown were considered their “salary.” Needless to say, those customs officers in ports such as Manila, Cebu, etc. lived the high life and amassed personal fortunes. Often, they’d influence the government to select a retiring customs officer’s family member to fill the vacancy created by the retirement; thus “keeping it in the family.”
Though this is no longer the case, the customs offices are still not free from corruption (legal or illegal). On the whole, however, it is as you’ve depicted.
Hi Paul – Set your own duty? That sounds like the kind of job for me!
Paul;
“keeping it in the family” sounds very much like the Unions “closed shops” we had here in the UK in the 1970′s.
Sent my wife a $40 magicjack which she paid $40 in customs fees to recieve with FedEx. My mother send me a camera back in 2006 which never arrived through USPS.
Hi Alan – Sorry to hear of the MagicJack fiasco! Not sure if you are aware, but you can buy them locally for about $50.
On your mother’s package, was it registered with tracking?
Bob,
When I use the myusmail service which sends by dhl, I do not pay customs unless they are paying on their side. But when send thru regular usps I pay close to 20% including admin charges. This is in metro Manila. For me, it’s easier to pay for dhl as it arrives faster and without customs, it’s cheaper.
Also, I pay p40 to local post office as some service fee for notifying me that I received a package. Then would receive the customs statement for the customs duty.
Hi Don – In the Davao City main post office there is a sign next to the pickup window that says that P40 is the “Customs Fee.” There are no other charges.
Hi Don – that shocks me, to be honest. I use MYUSMAIL too and have for years. They indeed send DHL, and if I get a package (not mail, but a package with goods in it), I always pay customs. Through the mail I have never paid more than P40. This experience encompasses hundreds of packages over the years.
Hi Bob, I also use ‘mymailusa’ and when i had an item shipped via them (cost $20) whenit arrived they wanted 1,360 pesos “customs fee”..or 1.5 times the value of the item. I told them to keep it !
That’s right… you mentioned that to me in an e-mail, and I forgot to reply to that part! I kept trying to remember who had mentioned it to me… since I couldn’t remember, I just wrote this article instead! ha ha
Hi Bob
I have been using the phil post office for sending parcels to my wife for 3 years now and never had a problem so far ….whereas in Australia i have had the misfortune of two items going missing( over a long period of time though.) I had heard all sorts of wild stories about the phil postal system, even that other countries will not register your parcels because of the corruption in the postal system in phil. I found that story to be a load of old codswallop as i have insured many items that i have sent to my wife.
Hi David – Like you say, I also believe that the horror stories about PhilPost are way overblown. I know that my experience with them has been largely good.
In my quest to downsize before moving to the Philippines, I have sold 30 or so items on eBay and have shipped each one via USPS (Post office) “Priority Flat Rate” boxes, 3 day service, with tracking. Not only is the service quick, thru your account in eBay you are able to actually print out the postage/shipping label and do not have to spend time inside the post office at all (just drop the box off as the postage is paid right there at your computer screen thru PayPal.)
You can also do all the shipping stuff outside of eBay, of course, just go to the USPS website (from the US to your destination). You can also schedule a “pick-up” where the truck comes to your home to pick up what ever you are shipping (free pickup). I also ordered 10 shipping boxes for free thru the USPS website. No wonder the USPS is going deeper in debt on a daily basis!
While studying selling habits of others on eBay I noticed that a lot of international shippers boldly state that they can “declare” the value of the item they are shipping to you at some ridiculous low price so the customs will not be so steep. I have no idea if this ploy works or not.
Hi Rich – In my case, when I have bought from eBay, many times the sellers have marked the customs form as “gift” on the item, which often makes it no duties at all.
Hey Bob,
My experience with sending a package to the Philippines hasn’t been good. I sent a package to my wife (then girlfriend) in Davao using USPS International Priority mail . I had a tracking label on it so I was able to track it on-line. I sent it out, and it took a day to get from SoCal to San Fransico. The next day It arrived in Manila, where it sat for more than two weeks. A week later it made it to CDO. Another week later it ended up in Davao. Just over four weeks to go from SoCal to Davao. Keep in mind that a Balikbayan Box only takes 7 weeks for the same trip.
Hi Hudson – The timeline that you give is typical, and I have no problem with it. Take my eBay purchase. If it had been sent FedEX or some other courier service it would have cost an extra $50 for shipping, and also an extra $50 for customs. I would have had it in a week or maybe a bit less. I saved $100 for waiting like 3 extra weeks. That, to me, is no problem at all.
My son sent me here from the USPS a credit card replacement and he told me he paid only $1.00 to mail it. I thought right away oh no!.. It’s coming on the boat (1 month or longer) it never arrived been 6 months now. When he first told me that I right away called and told my credit card company I had lost the original card and to send me another one please… They did and I made him send me the new card thru fed ex, it arrived in 6 days….Before I have sent many packages to the Philipphines thru USPS and just always made sure it was going by air, never had a problem, but was expensive..
Hi Lenny – Yeah, for $1 to ship it… well, not very reliable! I can certainly agree with that!
Bob—When a package is sent by Global guarantee here in the USA it does not go by post office. They have contract with Fed x. I have sent several packages like that sine 2001. And when it gets to the phils and the package is going out of fed x range they use a local carrier company there to deliver it. I know i have had my share of problems with fedx trying to track the package once the local carrier has it. Also, if shipped by priority mail the post office here cannot track once it has left this country. I always use global guarantee from post office even thought fed x takes it because they charge less then going straight to fed x. I have had 4 different packages to get stuck at customs. I had to pay ;large fees through fed x. Also, if you use post office here and send priority and it gets caught in customs the post office cannot help you. I have an account with Fed x and they charge my account if customs wants a fee. Normally on the declaration sheet you write things down and put the value and it is under $50 they let it go through. I have sent over 5 packages that way. The main thing to remember is to fill out the declaration sheet fully so they won’t get supicious.
Art
Hi Art – I am not familiar with Global Guarantee, never heard of it. Since FedEx is handling the package, does that mean they handle customs too and overcharge?
bob, yes if it is sent global guarantee fed x takes the package from post office and they handle all the paperwork at customs. it normally takes 5 to 7 days to send a package to Davao from usa. Example: i sent a small package last april using global and it cost me $47 at post office. if i had gone straight to fed x they wanted $72. the post office has a good contract with fed x for cheaper rates. if the items is of any value i always use global guarantee. if the packages doesn’t arrive on the date stamp at post office then they will refund the cost. i had it refunded 1 time.
art
5 to 7 Days to Davao… hmm… not bad if you have something important to send!
Bob….. Is Don… saying that the USPS has International boxes there.. to send here.. for $45.00 and $65.00, And that the sender in the US can fill them up.. and get them sent here for that price??
Hi Lenny – USPS has priority and express mail boxes which are free. They can be used for international shipping too. For domestic shipping they offer flat rate regardless of weight. I do not believe that such a service is offered for international, though.. those, I believe are all based on weight.
Bob…the USA Post office does have priority flat rate boxes for international…they are good for domestic or international…as said before the small one is around $13.50…the Middle one is around $45.00 and the large one is about $65.00..there is a 20 pound limit on them how ever [there could be another size also but not sure]….but you have hard time getting 20 pounds in the small one..but can get that much in the other 2 sizes…the boxes are free and most post offices of any size have them…they also have a couple of priority flat rate envalopes also for international and not sure what the price is on those…and as one poster said or you said the global priority is a deal between Fed-x and the Post office and my self would not touch that…one reason is very expensive and the other is you are really right back to Fed-x…Now on customs for the USA Post office..they had big changes about near 2 years ago..its a pain in the rear now….before it was a snap……but now you have to list each item..the cost..the weight and discription of each item….I talk to one of the postal people and they told me this was done by Home Land Security and they hate it,but they have to do it…hi hi hi….so maybe this helps a little here…
For those that want more info on the USA Post office just go here…..https://www.usps.com/ and about all you want to know is there..you can even find out if something you per say want to ship is even allowed to be shipped to the country you may have a interest in…I think a lot of the problems are with the different country’s post offices…….example…….sent a birthday card to a friend in Vietnam..it go there in 5 days…hello..could hardly belive that one….went to HCMC…then about 5 years ago sent a Christmas card to a lady friend in the Phillipines and she is still waiting for it!…but..she sent me one and it came in about 10 days…She told me that sad to say but a lot of times..letters and cards never make it…she told me the post offices there or some of the people that work for them..will if see a letter or card…open it to see if any money in it….or try to steam it open..or just open it and throw it away…any way..
Oh..I need to correct my self..the small one is a 4 pound limit..
OK, that’s great to know! When I lived in the States, I do not believe that they had a flat rate for international, I’m happy to see that things are moving forward!
hey lenny. all international packages are based on the total weight. if you use fed x service or post office global guarantee at least they will handle the problem at customs if the package gets help up there. about 6 years ago i used regular service and my package got stopped at customs. it was a nightmare trying to get fee paid and release of item. i think it is worth the extra money fed x charges to handle the problem if the item is important.
art
Hi Bob. Your experiences have been exactly the same as mine however i was confused over the customs. I will try the post route from now on and see what happens. So far all my deliveries to Bohol (6 or so) have arrived, which, based on previous readings has been somewhat of a surprise.
Cheers
David
Hi David – It’s great to hear that you have also had good experiences with PhilPost! I think they have improved vastly over the years!
Es muy claro.
hi bob, thanks for bringing this up.
plenty of locals– including my family– have for decades avoided sending anything via post office. prior to the internet, postal folks back in my hometown had a reputation for ripping open packages and resealing them with tape before delivering them to you. so you had to call the senders long distance just to find out whether anything they sent over was missing.
i’d be glad to try them out this time around, but how long do packages from the US take to get to you in davao?
cheers,
Give them a shot and see how they do for you, Biz Doc. For packages from the USA, it usually takes between one and two weeks to Manila. Add about to that for it to get to Davao.
half a month sounds good, bob! sulayan nako before xmas ” )
cheers,
Glad to know that it’s clear! thanks Jr. Lopez.
We have similar experience, Bob. When I ordered my items abroad and shipped it via post office, the charge is very minimal. I paid only Php30.00 at the post office to get my goods. However, when i ordered an item on-line and shipped it via FedEx, the charges are almost 50% of the actual cost of the product that i purchased.
That’s true, iano16, the charge used to be P30, but it was raised to P40 this year.
hi bob,
I ‘ve known the “charging fee” problem for a long time and that is the main reason I avoid to send my packages via DHL/FedEx/USPS if possible, if the my package is not that important i just use the “registered service”, the only problem i had with the post office is the time of arrival, other than that, never experienced any problem with it.
Yeah, if it’s not something super important.. the time of arrival is not too much to worry aobut!
Hi Bob, Last year my son sent his used golf clubs (3) via Phil post 3 months ahead of his arrival in Marinduque. Since the clubs were second-hand, he valuated it to about $50. He was shock in disbelief when he was charged $150 to pick up the package. It arrived in a timely manner though ( after 45 days) and he was able to play golf at Bellarocca Resort here in Marinduque- one of the 101 things he wants to do before he dies. Cheers! David K.
Golf clubs in the mail! Wow! That must be a huge package, David! Ha ha
Thanks Bob! Good info!!!!!!
Thanks, Brian. Glad you found it useful!
Hi Bob;
Never had a problem sending low value small packages to the PH by normal Air Mail post, everyone to date has arrived, just takes a long time, but unless its urgent, it doesn’t really matter. (Generally 5 days to Manila, then anything up to 6 weeks to get to Mindanao,lol).
Postal costs though have truly escalated here in UK, it recently cost me just under US$6 to send an A5 size Birthday Card by normal Post Office Airmail. (Generally takes 10 to 14 days to get to Mindanao).
I would suggest to any readers here wishing to send packages by normal Airmail to PH for Xmas, to send in September, the PH Post Office service appears to grind to a halt by mid November.
Regards,
Chas.
Hi Chas – Wow! that is quite expensive to send a card, no doubt! I hate those Internet greeting cards… but it might be time to go for it!
Bob;
Funny you should mention Internet greetings cards, as i do use them from time to time, but i havn’t sent a personal greetings card for about 3yrs until recently.
The cost 3yrs ago was about half what it is now, talk about inflation!
I’m sure if i investigated it, it would be blamed on Oil costs etc lol.
Hi chasdv – and… I think that bigger inflation is around the corner!
Slightly off-topic, but I hope somebody can help. I’m having difficulty having my medical insurance in the US cover Voltaren gel, which my doctor has prescribed. It’s a topical medication for arthritic/joint pain (I have tendinitis). It’s available over-the-counter in the Philippines and less than 1/10th the price here. What are the chances that it will get to me if my sister sends it via Philpost air mail? Any other thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I see no reason why it would not get to you.
Wow, that was quick. Thanks, Bob! Just wondering if the US Post Office (Customs, perhaps?) would be sticky about meds being sent from the Philippines. I’ve never tried this.
Like you, I have never tried it before, so I can’t say for sure. But, I think that for a shipment that was obviously for personal use there should not be a problem. If you were shipping in commercial quantities then I could imagine there would be a problem.
Good luck!
Even sending in the Philippines alone, the private companies do charge a lot to the point that it is more practical to use the Philpost’s “registered mail”. A simple letter in the Phils can cost you around Php300 when a registered mail can be less than a hundred. And it is best not to send during Christmas season as the thieves in the Philpost come one. The card I sent to my friend never arrived (no cash!) and the book she sent neither arrived to me either.
Johnny Air is the best way to go when shopping online. I buy from (for example) Amazon, it ships free to their office in New York, they send it here and I pick it up in Manila 7-10 days later. There is a flat per pound fee and it includes all fees and taxes. I have used them a whole bunch including items that I would never send through the postal service (i.e., Ipad). They are awesome. I believe they have offices in Davao also.
Hi Kikas – I have also used Johnny Air, and i agree that they are good for higher value items and such. You are right… in fact, they have several offices in Davao.
Bob, I’ve paid fees direct to customs for things like clothing and chocolates. Those fees were not due. They were sent via USPS and Phil Post. I was not paying for forms, I got receipts from customs. I had my mail held at the Phil Post until I (of Jessie before I got here) went to customs and paid the dues.
Once I shipped some things that never turned up. So the USPS sent a trace, then they showed up. Then the Philpost decided that customs had to value it and I paid $75 tax on $150 worth of stuff. I did my best to get an itemized receipt, what the value was and what the tax was on each item, couldn’t get it. I really hate to say it but it was just flat bogus. When I asked for the receipt it was all over their faces. It also took hours. I had to go to the post office, then to customs and then to the land bank to pay the fees and then back to customs. I guess I should just get over it. Its been three years ago but it still bugs me. Chocolates, I paid custom duties to PhilPost for chocolates.
I’m not one to whine about the corruption in the Philippines, I’ve seen a little but most of that I just have not seen personally. I’ve seen some payments in customs that just didn’t seem due to me.
If I ship via Johnny Air Cargo I pay no custom fees. That’s how I ship now.
Hi Rusty – That has been different than my experience. I am not saying, though, that you will never have to pay customs fees through PhilPost, what I am saying is that you won’t have to pay DHL or some other courier to just fill out the forms. The day might also come when you have to pay Johnny Air Cargo for customs fees too. I think it just goes on a case by case basis.
The trick i have learned is to use the normal post office, slowest shipping possible and delcare the item has a very low value (even if it doesnt) Include a fake receipt to reflect this low value
And thats the trick works for me
That may work for you, Adam, but it is illegal. I would never use my site to advise people to do anything illegal.
Good luck to you.
Hi Bob,
I plan to order something for a friend from Japan. Would you happen to know if packages sent via airmail to the Philippines have to be picked up at the local post office, or will it be delivered directly to the address (like EMS)?
Thank you. =)
hi Rizza – Generally speaking, if the item is in a box, you have to go pick it up at the post office. If it’s in an envelope, they will usually deliver it.
Hello,
I see. Thank you so much for your quick reply. I do hope we won’t have to pass by the post office any longer. He he.
More power to your blog. (^_^)
Thanks Bob for the info.. But I have a question.. Would u know if there’s a minimum how much the item cost? Coz post office here in Canada wants me to find out if there’s a minimum limit cost.. I really want to know so bad..
Hi rhema – I am sorry, I don’t really understand your question. Do you mean the minimum cost of an item you will send through the post office? I suppose the minimum would be zero. I think that I don’t understand what you are asking.
Hi Bob. I’m a Fil-Am Pinay. PhilPost is truly corrupt. I posted an article on my blog about what happens when I pick up a package / gift from my mother-in-law at the post office. Here’s the link: http://www.mymovetothephilippines.com/2011/i-was-charged-100-customs-taxes-for-us80-shipment/
The customs guy was going to charge me almost 100% customs taxes for Christmas gifts. At the advice of another post office worker, I “showed” the customs official a yellow piece of paper with a picture of a Filipino martyr. I think the image of the martyr softened his heart. lol. I got my package without a tax payment receipt.
I posted a question on yahoo answers regarding what the correct tax is and my experience. Surprisingly, one guy replied it with something like, “I didn’t know you can do that. Next time, I’ll do the same instead of paying 3,600 pesos.”
Hello FilAmerican Mom – I’m sorry to hear of your experience. I can say that your experience is vastly different from mine. Maybe that means that things are improving. I hope so, at least.
hi bob,
thanks for the input. i had the same experience recently. shipment coming from china, valued at $465,sent via dhl. Guess how much i was charged for duties and taxes? $300! i was complaining for 2 days to DHL but to no avail. they just said that the customs officer upgraded the package to $950.In the end, i agreed to pay the $300 d&t as i badly need the item. If i will to file a complaint, it will take 1-2 weeks and the package will not be released,which i cant afford.
Hi Louie – Sorry to hear of your customs trouble! I hope it ends up working out.
Bob,
For decades I have been using Philpost and ALL of my experiences are just as you stated. (ALl my mail and packages goes to PI via Registered return receipt by the way)
If it is a lot of items then it goes via balikbayan box for 55-60 bucks no weight limit…whatever fits in the 20x20x20 box ships. Takes a bit longer and in some case a VERY long time, but here again, never lost a thing ever.
And in closing Customs Charges over the years have been low if at all for Philpost items and ZERO on Balibayan stuff…even after several were opened for inspection.
Hi Joe – Our experiences sure seem to be identical! thanks for sharing!
Hello. I just want to ask because my friend sent me a letter that contains photos through registered mail. I was wondering if I will need to claim it at Philpost or it will be delivered to my house? :O Thanks for the help!
Generally, if it is registered it needs to be picked up at Philpost.
my friend from the usa send me 1 used laptop,1 used celphone,remote control car toy,leapster toy,3 watches and foods stuff from USA do i have to pay taxes for them when they arrived here in the philippines? why they said there that its going to be delivered door to door? thank you
Hi akiko – It is up to the Philippine Customs Bureau to decide if you will need to pay, and how much. Also depends on how your friend sent it.
Oh I see. But how about if it’s Airmail only? Will I receive it at my house?
Thanks! 
Airmail letters are generally delivered to the house in my experience.
Oh okay. Thanks for the help!
Hi Bob I have a ?
I am engage to a philipinno girl in Daveo city. I sent her a package with her engagment ring worth $1,000 costoms what 23,000p. Is this normal?
We are working on her KI and have all the paper work in to the US goverment she will come to america but some point in the future and we will get Married. Could we move back to Philipines and would I need to applie for citsinship or a long term visa. When I was there we stay at pearl farm have you been there?
Cliff
Hi Clifford – Yeah, it’s pretty normal. I would never send something like a $1000 ring like that. Better to wait and buy something here.
If you want to live here, just move here, no citizenship is needed. After you marry, you are qualified for a 13(a) resident visa and you can live here as long as you like with that.
Good luck!
actually yes they are over charging, speaking on behalf of online buying, they should not add the shipping fee to the tax computation. you already shouldered the shipping and you need to pay tax for the money you spent. and bigger if you go thru fedex or dhl cause more extra fees for the company.
Hi Bob,
Can i ask how much will they tax me if the seller shipped my item to international mail?
The seller is from uk and i bought an earphone from them. The price of the earphone is GBP 30 (around $47).
Plus another GBP 3 for shipping….
Hi Dave – anything I say would really be a guess, because there seems to be no pattern to what they charge. Since it is coming through the mail, though, I would guess it will be under P100.
Thanks for the fast reply
) just last question, once the item has arrived do i have to pick up my package or they will just ship it to my house?
Normally you have to go pick it up at the Post Office for a package, especially if customs fees are due.
Thanks for your website Mindanao Bob.
Very helpful. Just been reading the comments. Seems most people have the same problem. My Christmas parcel [DHL] left England Monday 5th November and arrived in Cebu on the Wednesday where its been ever since. Either the Filipino customs have got their finger shoved up their backside or just plain lazy remains to be seen. I just hope to god my £16 necklace i bought for my girl isnt going to be charged a hefty price. Christmas card was a big boxed thing at £10 too.
My only worry is that the boxed card will be opened and then not delivered to her and my small priced necklace will ‘go missing’. I choose cheap cos something the same look would be very mahal in Phils.
Hi James – I hope everything works out on your gifts! In the future, if you want to send gifts and avoid the customs hassle and long delays, you might consider using my Philippine gift delivery service at WowPhilippines. We’d be happy to take care of it for you, and your item can be delivered in just a day or two.
James,
You left that rather late, the system gets really bogged down this time of year.
In my experience you really need to send parcels by late Sept for them to arrive by Xmas.
Yea Chasdv, i understand its the busy season, just like any place. More so in Philippines as they have the knack of doing things slow all year by way of Filipino time. My girl lives in Cebu and is a 300 pesos taxi drive from customs. And as i sent it on the 5th, its more than enough time, I figured anytime after the 15th i would have serious issues on a Crimbo delivery.
Oh well. Fingers crossed.
Hi MindanaoBob, just wondering why I was charged almost Php 2,000 by FedEx when they delivered the item to me. You see I ordered a wrestling shirt and before they were using USPS for international shipping, then they switched to DHL which isn’t that good because out of 4 packages that I ordered, only 1 came and the other 3 didn’t arrive so they replaced it and reshipped it again, and I’m still waiting for it. Then last 12/15, I ordered another shirt, it shipped via FedEx on 12/17 then it arrive today 12/21, but before they gave me my package, they were charging me Php 2000!! So do you think it has something to do with a door-to-door service because back then it was delivered to the post office then they’ll send me a card to claim my package? And if thats the case, can FedEx just deliver to the post ofice so that I would only pay Php 40?
As I said in the article, it is because these big shipping companies charge you money for filling out the forms. I’d bet that more than half of the fee is that.
Hi Bob, may I ask. , I bought something online (Sunscreen just costs $20)and had it shipped using USPS EXPRESS MAIL INTERNATIONAL from US to Cebu City , Philippines, with tracking . From my experience using that type of shipping it only takes like 7-9 days to arrive. Is my item lost or does that mean I have to pay some money to get my item in the post office but is it in the post office already or still stuck in customs? Please help
But my tracking for the LAST 5 DAYS HAS BEEN
Class: Express Mail International®
Status: Customs Clearance
Your item is being processed by customs in PHILIPPINES at 1:13 pm on February 06, 2012.
Detailed Results:
Bullet Customs Clearance, February 06, 2012, 1:13 pm, PHILIPPINES
Bullet Processed Through Sort Facility, February 06, 2012, 9:59 am, PHILIPPINES
Bullet Processed Through Sort Facility, February 01, 2012, 8:52 pm, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Bullet Arrived at Sort Facility, February 01, 2012, 8:50 pm, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Bullet Electronic Shipping Info Received, January 31, 2012
Bullet Depart USPS Sort Facility, January 31, 2012, OMAHA, NE 68108
Bullet Processed through USPS Sort Facility, January 31, 2012, 5:33 pm, OMAHA, NE 68108
Bullet Processed through USPS Sort Facility, January 31, 2012, 4:27 pm, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51501
Bullet Acceptance, January 31, 2012, 3:50 pm, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA 51501
Hi Micheal – While it might usually take 7 to 9 days for such a package, I have also had these kind of packages take up to 2 months after they reach the Philippines. I can’t say if your package is lost or stolen, of course, but I don’t think so.
Good luck.
I see. Thank you for answering my question Bob!
Hello Bob
I bought a product worth $36 on Jan 24,2012 on a UK site store. The product includes the shipment fee. however, it is not stated what kind of delivery it was. It is just stated to wait for up to 14 working days for delivery. Is it normally delivered and can be picked up at philpost? what do i need to get it there? Sorry for my noob questions. this is my first time to do online shopping.
thanks.
Hi Rams – I am sorry, but given that I was not involved in the transaction, I really have no way of knowing what shipping method they will use. Generally, to pick up a parcel at PhilPost, you need some kind of photo id like a postal ID, driver’s license, etc.
Wow, thank you very much for fast reply.
Now this is very informative. I am currently waiting for a package that I bought online in the UK and is set to arrive on or before March 22 through standard mail. I’m kinda worried about the custom charges knowing that I will be possibly overcharged. I’m a bit relieved after reading your article and am crossing my fingers that I will only pay less than a hundred.
Thanks a lot!
Good luck to you Yule. I hope your experience mirrors mine!
hi MindanaoBob!
i am just a bit worried.. i bought something from an international forum which is a secondhand earphone. he mailed it thru USPS EMS last March 12 and the last update i had was
March 15, 2012
Your item was processed through our ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS) facility on March 15, 2012 at 2:05 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.
when do you think it will arrive here? i reside at QC. will i pay P40 like you do since it’s EMS?
really nervous that i might pay a lot of money but it’s only a secondhand earphone and wasn’t bought from a store
thank you!
No need to worry, I have had it take 3 or 4 weeks after getting that message that it has left SFO or another port of exit.
so what do you suggest me to do now? should I call EMS Pasay right away? it’s been 1 week now and I don’t want to wait for 3-4 weeks
my place is very near to my local post office here in Cubao but what do i need to expect, EMS Pasay, my local office or right at my doorstep?
thank YOU!!
Ha ha, Christian.. you don’t want to wait 3 or 4 weeks? What will you do, go to the airport and search every plane for it? There is really nothing you can do, my friend. You have to just get it when it arrives and is ready for pickup.
alright then thanks.. I swear i’ll never use the EMS again if it will take a very long time..
thank you
yes everytime that i send a package to my girlfriend in the Philippines ,I SEND THROUGH THE POST OFFICE WITH 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS.THE PACKAGE GETS THERE TO HER FAST BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE TAX,ITS ALL OVER THE PLACE.ABOUT AMOUNT A MONTH AGO I SENT MY GIRLFRIEND A PACKAGE AND IT COST HER 3THOUSAND TO RECEIVE HER PACKAGE THIS TIME I SENT MY GIRLFRIEND ANOTHER PACKAGE AND THEY CHARGED HER OVER 4THOUSAND THIS TIME,CUSTOMS WANTED OVER 6THOUSAND FROM MY GIRLFRIEND AND SHE GOT THEM COUSTOM WORKERS TO LOWER THE PRICE SO THAT SHE COULD GET THE PACKAGE.WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND WENT TO PAY THEM THEY TOLD HER TO STEP TO THE SIDE WHERE THE CAMERA IS NOT SO THAT WOULDNT BE SEEN BY THE CAMERA.CUSTOM PEOPLE TOLD HER THAT SHE LOOKED RICH THAT SHE COULD AFFORD MORE.WELL I HOPE THOSE PEOPLE HAVE A BRAIN BECAUSE I AM GONNA COMPLAIN TO EVERYONE EVERY SITE THAT I CAN THAT CUSTOMS WORKERS ARE STEALING FROM THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLES OF THE PHILIPPINES.DONT THOSE PEOPLE READ A PAPER OR WATCH TV TO KNOW THAT THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT IS COMING AFTER EVERYBODY FOR TAXES THEY SHOULD PAY TAXES ON THAT MONEY THAT THEY RIP OFF FROM PEOPLE AS INCOME EARNED.
Hi.
I want my package to be shipped to Davao Post Office through USPS, should I use the address of Davao Post Office for the shipping address? Is that what you did? Please Help. Thanks 
Hi bob! Thanks for the info.. It was quite an eye opener. I have a question about packages.. You said they charge a minimum of php. 40. Does that apply to all packages regardless of weight and value? Thanks!
Yes, that is the Minimum. They may charge more, but if it is a package (not an envelope) they will charge at least P40.
Hi. I want my package to be shipped to Davao Post Office through USPS, should I use the address of Davao Post Office for the shipping address? Is that what you did? Please Help. Thanks
I already answered this question for you last week. Read your previous comment and my answer.
im a little bit relieved after reading your post. plus knowing that you’re from davao too, my hopes are high. my friend from japan sent me his old dslr camera, but he declared the original/brand new price and he missed to indicate that the camera is used. the kit didnt include the zoom lens and the batteries, supposedly included in a brand new camera kit. the total declared value is 50000jpy, approx 25000php. good thing, he indicated it as a gift. now, the thing that i am scared about is paying extremely high tax for an old camera. it’s supposed to be just a hand-me-down gift, but im daunted by the thought of shedding a lot of money just to claim it. pray for me, ill be going to davao philpost tomorrow. =) accompany meeeee. T_T
Good luck! I hope it all works out well.
I ordered a new Dell 24-inch monitor monitor from a seller on ebay. Package should be large, about 26 pounds or more. Seller shipped via USPS express mail international with tracking. It shipped out on April 12th from Chicago, and tracking shows “processed Through Sort Facility” in Philippines on April 16th, and “Customs Clearance” on April 17th in the Philippines. I am an American living in a condominium building in Baguio. Will the package be delivered to my condo building, or will I get a notice in the mail for me to pick it up?
Hi Paul – Generally, they will deliver letters to your house, but not packages like that. Normally, for such a package, they will bring a claim paper to your house, and you must go claim it at the Post Office.
Hi Bob! I am happy to read your post, knowing that you are from Davao too. Have you claimed a package more than 1000$ in Davao Post? I am planning to buy a DSLR Camera from Hong Kong and I am looking for ways to be shipped to me with very minimum charge. Do you think a post office or via EMS (Express Mail Service) is fine? Hope to hear from you. Thanks,
Jam Izz
Hi Jam – Personally, I would not have an item of that value shipped in via the mail. I worry that it will be stolen. Even if it is registered…. for something of that value, somebody will find a way to swipe it.
Check Johnny Air Cargo, they are reasonably priced, and have a good track record.
thanks for the recommendation Bob. I will take a look.
All the best,
Jam Izz
You are most welcome, Jam. Good luck!
Hi Bob I bought a clipper from Amazon i wanna know when I can received the
Package here in Pampanga? Here is the tracking:
Processed Through Sort Facility April 20, 2012, 10:55 am PHILIPPINES
Processed Through Sort Facility April 03, 2012, 5:26 pm ISC MIAMI FL (USPS)
Arrived at Sort Facility April 03, 2012, 5:25 pm ISC MIAMI FL (USPS)
Processed through USPS Sort Facility March 31, 2012, 12:33 am TAMPA, FL 33605
Dispatched to Sort Facility March 30, 2012, 6:06 pm SARASOTA, FL 34232
Acceptance March 30, 2012, 4:57 pm SARASOTA, FL 34232
Hi Mark – From the info that you shared, it would seem that your package is on the way.
Thanks for that info Bob…I already called the Post Office here but until now no package…s
Hi Mark – Since it just passed through the Philippine Sort Facility on April 20, I would guess that it will not arrive for another week at least.
Hi Mark. Update us when your package arrives. I’m also from Pampanga and mine also has the same status for 6 days now. (Processed Through Sort Facility PHILIPPINES)
Just and FYI, I just received a 7 lb. package USPS International Priority Mail.
It shipped from Michigan in the U.S. on March 24th and we took possesion here at the Post Office in Dumaguete yesterday April 24th.
Nice to read that you haven’t had any overcharging experience, but I have news for you that the post office, despite how good it might sound, since it is under government, they also overcharge…those other companies, if they do it, might be doing it also since many of us first blames the government. IT IS A DOUBLE-EDGE SWORD that we are dealing with.
When the postal fee was only P35 back than, I was being asked for P1,500 to 2,000 to pick up my package and even though a tracker was on it, those back at home, once it left the country it was in, could not promise much after it leaves the country it came from.
FIRST – when those back at home said it was already in my location, the post office never sent me a notice to the house I was in at the time, and then when the post office knew about it they said it needed to be viewed by customs, and by the way, for those of you who are foreigners, most government workers negligent and never gives proper eye contact, so when customs did reply back to the post office, you wont believe it but they charged me, or tried to charge me, almost P2,000 and acted like it was nothing for someone like me to pay and ignored even trying to explain why they fee was being asked until i showed that i was not playing games with their silence I showed my rights to information.
They asked at the post office, “do you know what is in the box?” and i replied “yes, but that is for me to know and all that matters is did the post office in my country okay for it to be sent,” so than the officer said “you have ear-rings in your box” which i than laughed and said “no, they are not ear rings but ear plugs to censor out the noise in loud places. Would you like for me to open the box right here in front of you to let you see for yourself?”
So, he sent me to Customs, which was 2 jeep rides away, to see on getting it marked off. When i arrived at customs they tried to ignore me by acting as if i was never there or to say “just pay it” but i remember a lawyer said “anything above the P35, which is P40 today, is corruption and i requested it to be removed so i was tossed from one desk to the next when finally the first desk signed it off when they knew how serious i was.
Even on a box of books being sent for mission purposes was over taxed on me and even a box sent from a church to a church was taxed on me.
So, even though customs is government that receives their income through daily taxes, not normally from our added fees, it just as corrupt.
Right now I have a government worker living in my area and they laughed when i shared about all these added fees and asked of me to use people i trust in the country instead of doing it myself so when my next box arrives this year you better believe it that I will let them see just how we foreigners are treated.
“Delay of tactics” is another terrible issues so terribly played out in government and the QUESTION is WHY because they are negligent and most of those in government are only in those positions because of the people they know who got them in there.
Despite how a receipt might be not even them can you trust because one officer, after my complaint was received admitted that i was overcharged and refused to return the extra money taken from me.
READ CHRISTINE L. DIAZ “THE OTHER PHILIPPINE HISTORY TEXTBOOK” if you can find one still in print for it says it so clearly that the Spanish has never left the country but has remained through the influence they have implanted within this country’s very own people especially those in government who misuses their position for power instead of an act of service to the people.
As Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz” once said “There’s no place like home,” a quote Dorothy repeats return home to Kansas, and, as for me, i can’t wait to get back home to my own country after my wife finishes her RN degree.
Many ask for me to stay but after what i have experienced, I am better off back in my own country. It is my hope that Noynoy really quiets down most of the corruption I have experienced and rids the offices of negligent officers who does not take their act of duty serious towards helping people…government is not a place to sit and wait on a pay check but an act of service to the people and as one quote, i remember reading in a book but do not know where even though i try many times to find it again, the quote shared “if you are in government for the money you are better off going out for there are greener fields else where in life than here in the government which is for one thing only to provide service to the people.”
Hello Bob, I found your blog from a web search and find it to be very interesting. Last week I won an IPAD in an online contest, and the company who organized the contest sent the package via fedex. I think the package value is @500-$550.
I am worried since most of the reviews of Fedex overcharges the tax are rampant all over the internet. The package came from the US, can you share some of your experience how much tax would I pay for that kind of value of package? by the way I am now on Davao City.
I will wait for your response. Thanks Bob and more power to you
No way to know for sure, but I would expect that you will pay significant taxes on that, Wilfred.
hi bob! i`m gonna send a letter to u.s.a via PHILPOST and i want it to get there 2weeks maximum..
how much would that cost? and is it true that customs will open to check the letter? won`t it ruin the letter envelope?? it`s my first time,so,i really don`t know..
I am sorry, I really have no idea, shia. I don’t think there is any guarantee of “2 weeks maximum.”
Hi! I am planning to buy a laptop battery on ebay that will be shipped from China via Hongkong Post going here in the Phils. The total cost including shipping is $35. I have no idea how to compute for whatever it is the customs will charge. Can you explain to me what the customs is charging? Thanks.
Charges vary. The only way I know of to determine the cost is to wait and see what they charge you. Sorry, that’s just the truth.
If you have items that are to be shipped via Fedex, have them sent on weekends so they arrive on weekdays. They charge extra for storage fees on weekends.
Hmm.. interesting. I had never heard of that before.
Hi, I sent a package via USPS priority mail from Vermont to Pampanga….Since May 5,2012 it’s already in Pasay…and latest update is “Customs Clearance” May 19,2012….I am hoping that my daughter will get her package this week before her birthday….
Hello CountryGirl – It is still on time, for Philippine delivery. Anytime within the next couple of weeks, I’d guess.
Custom Clearance = (translation)
1. Open your parcel.
2. take all the stuff out
3. the box is now cleared.
4. put the packing tape back in again,
presto! the custom already cleared your packages! lol!
Ha ha ha!
hello! This is a very nice post! Thanks for the information.
When I order my puzzles in Hongkong I use the Post Office to receive the items.
AND GLADLY I ONLY PAY 40 PESOS. This 40 pesos is payment for the storage. But it takes 2 -weeks before I receive my order/items.
Glad to hear that the delivery went smoothly and cheaply, Carlo!
Mine has this status for 7 days now.
Processed Through Sort Facility
May 14, 2012, 3:23 pm
PHILIPPINES
It usually reaches custom clearance within the same day or two. Should I be worried?
I would not even start to be worried yet. It could take up to another month.
I received a claiming stub from PhilPost… I read a few blogs and this one is actually different from the rest… Most are negative comments most specially about the obscured and confusing computain of taxes…
I do hope I will only pay 40 pesos just like the others but I will definitely tell you my experience when I get my parcel.
Good luck. I hope it works out for you.
Got mine today. USPS tracking is unreliable
hi! my gf in Singapore sent thru Fedex the DSLR camera that she bought 3 months ago in Singapore that cost 970SGD or around 32,500 pesos. We used the camera when we traveled to Cambodia last March, in Taiwan in May and going to use next week in Indonesia. It’s her first time to send thru Fedex and both of us got shocked when the fedex called me that the custom charge is amounting to 5,088 pesos. Why the custom has to charge us with that amount? What made us upset, my gf paid 200SGD or around 6,500 pesos for shipment and i have to pay 5,088 pesos for custom charge and local charge of around 1,000 for storage fee as per fedex staff. That is really too much, almost same cost of the return ticket to Singapore and Philippines. The camera is not mine, it’s not new and i will return it to my gf living in singapore. Why when my gf send any packages thru LBC and other carriers, it doesn’t cost that much and i never paid anything, i just received. She even sent a laptop worth around 40K pesos and i didn’t pay anything and she only paid around 5K for the shipment. I’m sorry, i’m not that really good in English. I hope u will understand. Thank u.
Hi Xen – I can’t answer why they charge those kind of prices. While I am not certain, I would guess that you are Filipino… if so, it is your country, and you are more able to do something about this than I am as a foreigner. Make some noise and make the system change. That’s the only way that you can improve your country.
Hi bob, my friend sent me a steering wheel for computer gaming which is 15lb in weight and the usps tracking says ,
“Customs Clearance PHILIPPINES 05/15/12 2:34pm”
What does this mean? How long should i wait before i called the customs? How long does it usually take to be delivered here at my house? And lastly, do you think i will be paying any taxes for this? Thanks in advance tom
Will you pay taxes? Yes, you will. When will it arrive? I have no way of knowing.
Philippines’ Customs really sucks… As i sent a stuff cost 420 pesos to my sister they charge 1900 pesos! they are not helping they are burden to filipino people. I hope government can clearly see this thing!
My friend and I buy model kits from a certain website. We’ve been buying for a long time now.
At first we were scared of the postal office. We received our first package and it came with a P1000 peso custom charge. The item was originally priced at around $50. nothing big we thought first.
The 2nd package arrived and we were charger P1,500 for that one. This was all in the Paranaque branch.
The 3rd package came and we only paid P40 then which surprised us a lot. It was also almost closing time for the post office and they were rushing my friend who was picking it up.
We tried to change locations and so we requested the next package to be sent in Pasay city. We picked it up and had to pay P1,200 for the package.
We switched again to Las Pinas and had to pay around P800 for the package.
We finally switched our mailing address again to Cavite city and from then on every package we get we’re only being charged P40.
Glad that you found the magic address, Zen!
Hi Bob, nice blog, very informative!
I am currently waiting for a package from USPS and I would just like to ask two things. 1. Do you have an idea/estimate how much customs will charge for clothes and/or shoes from US? 2. Do you know what should be the next update would be for tracking remarks below?
*** Your item was processed through a facility in PHILIPPINES on May 30, 2012 at 10:39am. The item is currently in transit to the destination. [Endicia Status]***
*** Service: Priority Mail International Parcels, Status of Your Item: Processed Through Sort Facility, Date & Time: May 30, 2012, 10:39am, Location: Philippines [USPS.com - Track & Confirm]***
Thanks!
P.S. I haven’t received the package or note from the post office yet so I’m worried that I’ll be charged too much for non-designer stuff and that something might be wrong with the delivery =/
Likely the tracking will never be updated. Once the item is in the Philippines, that is the norm.
I have no way of knowing how much the customs charges will be.
thanks i read all the comments it’s lighten me up. I’ve tried many courier including PhilPost, I’ve found philphost is better they charge me 40 peso. I have an incoming item to be shipped door to door this 11:00 pm this evening and they texted me to my cellphone about the duties and taxes that was cost about 1871.66 pesos. The item cost is 3,125.00 pesos from china, that was 50% of the item price. This blog post was the same of the above mentioned. Thanks bob. I’m waiting this time with my package. Have a nice day ahead!
Hi just want to ask coz i just recently bought CD’s from korea in Ebay and they shipped it thru EMS, provided with tracking number. When I checked its status its already here in the Philippines dated 6/14, handed over to the Customs. Will I get those items delivered to my house or will I go to the Customs or Post office to get the items? Do I also get to pay taxes? I was getting worried because its my first time buying something abroad. Thanks!
Good day to all. I’m a seafarer. On June 01, 2012 our ship was in Indonesian port and I ordered online an item worth $200 from a US online store. I paid $45 for the flat rate shipment and I knew I have to pay for the tax. On June 08, I requested from the seller to provide me the tracking number of my package. He replied that he will forward in due course as my package is sent thru USPS and tracking number is not generated automatically. Just because I work onboard the ship, only on June 18 I followed up my requested tracking number. I checked on USPS online using the tracking and found out that my package arrived in the Philippines on June 08. I called my wife to check my package at our town post office. She informed me that my package arrived on June 18 in our town post office which is 30km from Iloilo city. She paid 40pesos for the package.
I suggest that if you are living in the city, you have to check personally your package or mail in your city post office. Living in town or barangay you have to check it in your town post office. I noticed in our town post office, packages and other mails which need signature of receivers are kept in the post office. Ordinary mails are distrubuted thru our Barangay Captains/Chairmen, local school teachers and even ourselves can check it and claim our own mails. Their reason is that they don’t have enough time to deliver as they are only two working in the post office.
I recommend that you have to inform your friends or relatives to advise you in advance when sending package or mail. Surprise package or mail should be sent thru private companies but of course not at 40pesos rate.
I hope this will help.
Hellow Bob, Im planning to buy a CD and DVD’s in YesAsia.com… what should i do so that i can get low cost of charges?, i LIve in Naga city Camarines Sur. I need to pu the adress of the Post office here or put my house adress? THANK U!
Put your house address, so the Post Office will know where to notify you.
Hi Bob, thanks for the great info. I thought what I chose to do was wrong but it seems it’s alright. I got one question though, do you know how long will it take for customs to get over with the process? I had a box that weight about 20lbs, and had many things inside like camera, bags, and chocolates. I used EMS (Express Mail Service) and sent it on June 11, now it’s 22nd in Philippines and still have “Customs Clearance” on it. The package I’m sending is going to Tarlac, any idea if it’s gonna be delivered or will the receiver needs to get it via post office?
I have no way of knowing how long it will take. The time varies from case to case.
In 2009 I sent a laptop to my fiance’ with accessories by USPS Global Express and it arrived fine, no customs fee that I remember.
Now that I’m living here, however, my Mom sent me a package about 5 days ago and USPS would not let her send it Global Express because of “difficulties” they said with delivery. So she had to shell out a whopping $185 for Express International…a lot more than I had to pay to send the laptop.
And the value inside is much, much less as well….smokeless tobacco, a few clothes I left with my Mom when I came here, and some Rice-A-Roni and other food items….
I also suspect it will be held up by customs for awhile, but not sure.
Interesting, Channing. I wonder why they could not use the Global Express anymore?
Hi Bob! I plan on ordering a 4d cityscape puzzle from the US. It it written it will be shipped thru USPS First Class Mail International, amounting to around $20-22. The product costs $30. Will I be charged with a huge amount to claim my package? Or is it still php40?
I really have no way of knowing what will happen in your case, B.
Btw, I live only in Manila. Near De La Salle University. If ever, where do I claim my package?
I really have no idea.
i just sent some cloths to my wife from the US using USPS all online, about 460 dollars in stuff and was chared 5777peso for it, not to bad about a 1 to 4 ratio.
Thats actually about 1 to 3, which I would consider quite expensive.
I ordered a digitizer and a tool kit for cellphone on ebay from China last June 8 and they sent it via philpost. A notice arrived after 10 days, June 18 to get the package in the post office and a 40 pesos fee. To Bacoor, Cavite post office…good job!
Having your parcel delivered thru postal service no longer works, based on a very recent experience.
I bought a pair of Lacoste sneakers at ebay thinking that I will be able to get it cheaper that way and lo and behold, the parcel went thru customs and charged me almost PHP 2,000.00!!!!!
I have another one arriving so I am preparing same amount and then after that no more online shopping for me =/
Hi Bob. Do you know by any chance a reason why I could not link my paypal to my eon card? I just applied recently around 2 weeks ago. I already asked unionbank abt it but they said there aren’t any problems with it, my card is active and there are no restrictions. Perhaps you know the answer?
Hi John – I am sorry, I would really have no way of knowing. I know that my EON card works fine for Paypal. Did you have any money in your EON account when you tried to set it up?
Yes, there is money. I’ve been trying link already for days but it just doesn’t want to. Anyway, thanks for the quick response Bob!
i sent my item to my wife using the postoffice in japan..
just like you, the first few times i sent the items my wife only had to pay the 40 pesos fee. but now all of a sudden they want her to pay for the i tem i had recently sent. iphones. i sent an iphone before and she received it with no problems. please let me know what’s going on here. I also always put the items as gifts and now the post office is claiming that i didn’t not put the price on items which i did.
Hi knoffler – Sorry, I don’t work for the Bureau of Customs, nor do I work for PhilPost, so I really don’t have any way of knowing for certain what is happening. I wish I could help, but I can only report my experiences.
Hi sir bob is it normal my package takes too long?
it is being held in customs last july 10,2012. it is a pair of shoes. do you think it is stolen or lost?hte package was sent via usps priority mail the status of my package is still customs clearance. should i get worried now?:/ what should i do?please help
I’m about to order dolls from e-bay but i am afraid that the customs would charge a huge fee for them. if i would use usps priority mail, i am afraid that the dolls would not arrive at all. what is the best option for this?
Only you can decide, ache.
Hello Bob, I’m planning to buy a laptop from Indiana, US. Condition is used for probably only $120.
What do you think is the best type of delivery I should use? I’m not really sure. And preferably not being victimized by notorious custom taxes.
Thank you.
No way of knowing, rinroh. Odds are, customs will be significant on a laptop, though.
Best way to ship from Philippines to U.S.
Say 8 albs and about how much and about how long?
Thanks
ABB
Hello Sir Bob,
I currently bought used office equipment (blueprint machine) from North Carolina, USA through eBay, weighing 100lbs and has the dimension of 68″x18″x12″-box. The amount of item is US$175 and the shipping cost almost US$885(FedEx), a total of US$1060. I ask the seller to ship it to FedEx so that I can use it in the first week of September. Any idea how much I will pay for this kind of package? I don’t have idea since I didn’t bought like this huge things before on eBay. Thank you Sir Bob.
I have no way of knowing, Elpon, but I would guess you will pay a high amount of duty on that shipment.
Sorry Sir Bob, I’m asking about custom’s payment.
Hi Sir Bob,
This is a very helpful article. Thank you for sharing. I will be sharing this to my friends as well.
Anyway, just few days ago, I ordered online (from China) this pulse oximeter device that will be used for my grandmother homecare support. I paid USD17.00 for that item and USD18.00 for the shipping fee (DHL). The value declared by my shipper is actually USD10.00, making it non-taxable as he said so. The item arrived the DHL facility in Iligan City last Saturday and my mom got a call from them and askd for this Duties and Taxes that they said the customs had charged them — amounting to PHP1130.60. This is crazy as it’s almost 300% of the declared value!
I got back to my shipper. He told me thay have sent emails to the DHL Philippines and have screamed at their forwarder but as of now, there’s still no progress.
What should I do now? Can I threat DHL of filing a complaint against them so that I will end up paying just the correct tax (PHP40.00 or accordingly) or not paying anything at all? They said they have the receipt issued by the customs. And this is ridiculous as they ended up paying it in my behalf.
Please advice me Sir Bob. Thank you so much.
As far as I know you have only two options, either pay and get the package, or don’t pay, and you won’t get it. It is crazy, but I know of nothing you can do to change it.
s
Thanks for the reply Sir Bob.
This is ridiculous! I will talk to them tomorrow. If this is the case, I guess my last option is to humbly ask for discount. *sigh*
Thank you again.
Hello Bob,
My client in Chicago send laptop to me via USPS using Express Mail International send to me here in Davao City. It was send last August 14, 2012 and my client says it would take 7 -10 days according to USPS before I received it but until now it does not been delivered to me. I will go to post office tomorrow to inquire about it. I’m worried about the package. Any suggestion?Thank you
Hi Red – I find that USPS packages can take up to 3 or 4 weeks.
Make sure to check with customs about the duty or cost of shipping hazardous materials to any places in the world you intend to get it shipped to, batteries are hazardous materials, if you’ll be able to get it shipped, most likely, shipping will be a bit overhelming.
Hello Bob,
oh, Sorry I was wrong it was ship via USPS using Priority Mail International. I go to the Post Office here in Davao last August 31, 2012 the post office say’s the package did not arrived yet, the post office man say’s it will take 3 weeks to 1month they same as you said. That package is very important to me I’m hoping that it will arrived safe and delivered. Thanks for the information Bob.
Hang in there, Red. I am sure your package will show up soon.
Thanks Bob
Hi bob,
Reading to all of your comments and advice is so wonderful.thank you so much for making me understand.just today we paid $85.00 for the customs charges as they called it.first week of August we send used laptop ( notebook) to the Philippines through FedEx and we put an amount for$75.00 and we paid $100 plus for the shipment.two weeks later or so they deliver it to the receiver and charge them like P3,000 plus for the customs charge.so the receiver didn’t accept it and the next day the FedEx called us and ask if who gonna fee for the charges,my husband told them to abondon it but the FedEx says that even if we’re going to abondon it the Philippines customs will still charge us,it means we don’t have any reason of not paying it…it really makes me mad…
It is certainly a sad situation, Ann.
Hi Bob, I check my package earlier at the post office and it’s already there. They told me come back tomorrow because no customs personel was in the post office earlier. Do you have any idea of how much ” customs fee ” should I pay?Thanks
How could I possibly know that, Red? The only way to find out is to go to the Post Office.
hi, i would like to share my experience.
Last Aug.01 i bought a food supplement in the internet for my girlfriend and noted as a “gift” and it cost me $180 approx. php7750 for 8pcs. bottle container and its free of shipping for a priority flat rate box. i didn’t know that merchandiser would choose USPS for air courier.It took a couple of weeks before it arrive to the Philippines. when i check the tracking number it says it is still process in the sort facilities in the Philippines and sit there for a couple of weeks before my girlfriend receive a letter from the post office that it is ready for pickup.
finally, we go to the Quezon city post office for pick up at around 12:20pm but it break time so we wait and fall in line. around 1pm it is open and go to window # assigned. I paid only php40 for storage fee.after that the moment of truth they open the box and ask me to see whats inside, I’ve already prepare my php2000 for some reason they would overcharge me for other duty taxes like i read on the blog sites that they would overcharge . luckily due to uncomfortable ambient inside and the long wait line they only made small cut line in the box and they only saw instructional manual and other goodies i purchased that makes it assorted. and then they said i can have my parcel! =)
——my advice, approach the custom officer in good mood! =)
Glad to hear that it worked out well for you, Mckenzee.
I was hoping you could answer a question about something. I recently shipped something with a declared value of $350. I shipped it express internation via usps, but I’m worried about customs fees now. Is there a chance that the recipient will be expected to pay a large some of money? She received a slip telling her to go pick it up on monday.
Should i wire her some money just in case? Any advice would be helpful.
Hi Chris, I really have no way of knowing for certain what will happen. If she already received notice, then she just needs to go and find out what the fees are. If she does not have enough to pay, I am sure they will hold the packagecwhile youbsend funds.
Good luck.
Hi Bob, my fiance and I were planning to order 100 pieces of personalized key chains for our wedding favors. May I ask if you happen to know how much the customs will charge for these giveaways? Thanks
As I have said many times in this thread, I have no way of knowing how much you will be charged.
Please help! My American BF sent me a package that contains a touchscreen Nikon camera, tripod, perfumes, body lotion, soaps, polos for my brother, DVDs and a debit card. He sent it via USPS. I have tracked the package and it arrived last September 3, 2012 to the Philippines. It’s been two weeks and the package was still not dispatched. I went to the local Post Office here in my town in Bulacan, and they told me that they weren’t able to get the package because they were told that the package is still being inspected by the Customs people. What will I do? Is it okay to just pick up the package in the Central Post Office? Are they gonna charge a tax? Is there a possibility that the package could get lost? Please help me. Anyone here who had the same experience? Thanks!
I had no problem with the other package that was sent to me by my BF on August 2, 2012… Got the package at the local post office on the 24th. Was it because the package only contained shirts, soaps, bags, and sunglasses? Why am I experiencing it now with this second package that contains a camera and other stuffs? Please help.
Really, the only thing you can do is wait until you get notice from the post office.
Just want to know if i buy a book from amazon.com will it be charged also? and if i want it to be delivered in postal office here in iloilo should i put the address of postal office instead of my home?
tnx
Yes, you will have to pay customs regardless of what address you give.
Hello Mr. Bob.
I purchased a book online from overseas.
And it was my first time.
It says there that it will be sent thru Royal Mail Airmail. what does that imply?
Well, Gege, that just means that it is coming through the post office.
Hello,
I just wanna ask. A friend of mine from the US wanted to send me some stuff mostly personal items. It’s just a small package. He will be sending it through a FedEx, or DHL (private courier). Will I still pay the taxes when the package arrives here in the Philippines?
Or does the taxes only apply to packages sent via Postal Office?
Also, I want to send him something. Will the personnel at the post office inspect the package for valuation before I’m able to send it? or can I just box the things up when i go to the post office?
Hope you can help me with this.
Thanks,
Tia
Hi Tia – Yes, there will be taxes to pay when your package arrives. When packages come in through a private courier like DHL or FedEX, the taxes are much higher than if the package comes in via the post office.
Yes, it is likely that your package contents will need to be inspected before the post office will accept it.
Good luck to you.
I see. Thank you so much for your help!!
Regards,
Tia
Hi Bob,
One more thing. When your package arrived via post office, did you have to get it the Postal Office near your place or was it delivered to you personally?
Thanks again,
Tia
Hi tia – I highly recommend that you read the article. The information that you are asking is clearly stated in the article.
*****Please ignore or delete the upper comment.
I just wanna ask about this part:
“Also, I want to send him something. Will the personnel at the post office inspect the package for valuation before I’m able to send it? or can I just box the things up when i go to the post office?”
Thanks,
Tia
Hi Bob,
I was scouring the web for info regarding the Priority Mails, we’ll I’d like your two cents on my situation,.. I’m planning to buy a watch online, the company is based on Singapore, the watch costs a little more than $1K, and it is stated on their site that I can have door to door shipment through UPS,.. I’m hesitant about how the package is going through customs, like as you said – it is notorious for corruption and needless to say ubiquitous complaints of theft and the likes.
Hope to hear from you! Thanks!
Well, I certainly would not recommend sending an item of that value through the post office. You will have to go through a reliable courier like UPS, but you are going to be charged huge customs. I don’t see any choice, really.
Good luck.
Thanks Bob! looking for other options right now.
Good luck, Noel, I hope you find the right solution.
40 php? really?! I just ordered a psvita that costs me around 197 usd and when it arrived we tried to claim it and they wanted 8175 pesos! and it was sent via standard international shipping from us? any corruption there?
is there a way to bargain around this?, inside it is a birthday greeting for me from the sender, it was supposed to come in at 21 but was delayed, I don’t want to pay that much tax cause if I do pay then buying a psvita here would be like way cheaper, I want to lower it to like maybe just 5000, that’s the max that I could waste on it….
I do not believe there is any bargaining on customs fees.
Something like a PS Vita will have a fair amount of customs on it. Any kind of electronics will be like that. The charge of P8175 seems excessive, but that seems how they do it here.
This isn’t how things work here in Manila – here, they ask for receipt no matter how small the package is. They even ask the real price of the item even if it’s marked there.
…and people who receive gifts from around the world get charged a lot
This is how things work here in the big cities – I have heard that provinces do let the small packages go. They will always pay P40, no matter how much the declared value is.
I would consider Davao City a “big city” too, so what you say is not true about all big cities.
Hi Bob,
Sorry to bother. Just wanted to ask for some advice. I live in Davao City and I was planning to order something from Amazon. Nothing too expensive, under $60.. I wanted to ask if you’ve ordered anything lately and how much were you charged for it (customs, I mean)? Also, how did you go about it? Which shipping option should I choose? Was the item delivered straight to your address or did you have to pick it up from the post office near Roxas?
Thanks and sorry for all the questions.
Kind Regards,
Anne
I recommend that you use postal delivery if possible, as the customs is less in that case. As the article says, I have been paying only P40 when packages come through the postal service. Pick up the packages at the Main Post Office on Roxas.
hi bob..i will asked if how much will be the possible custom pay for the parcel worth 130 usd..approximately 5400 pesos..using ems.? i was planning to buy shoes from an online store..but im worried about the tax…can you give me an estimated value Bob? based on your experience..thank you.
No, I cannot estimate. The only thing you can do is wait and see how much they charge. Sorry.
hi bob! i live in mindanao i ordered item from uk, but its 2months the item did arrived, but the tracking the item from royal mail, the item did arrived at Philippines. do you where to file complaint at PHilpost or do you whats the tel. no of luzon philpost?
Hi SIr Bob, how about if we order from amazon online and we have send the package like an iPad or another gadget via Johnny Air Cargo? Is the shipping cost and tax expensive through this cargo company? Another thing, is what online store from the Philippines that sells gadgets that sells according to the SRP without the GST Tax? Is there such an online site? I have seen that when I order let’s say an iPod iTouch from the apple online store in the Philippines, it said that shipping is free but they ask for additional payment that covers the GST tax. How come they ask for this when shipping is free?
The Apple online store, I believe, ships from Singapore. You have to pay the Government Sales tax of Singapore on your purchase.
Bob: You know, sometimes it is funny how they calculate. I sometimes think that someone at customs sits there just pulling numbers out of thin air. My company just sent me some new brochures a couple of weeks ago via Chronopost (The French post office express mail service). These were very obviously promotional brochures with no cash value, nothing else in the box… Got hit with P1,700 duty.
Not so much the duty that bothered me, but moreso the hassle of getting it paid… When Philpost called me prior to delivery, I should say 4 or 5 times, they couldn’t seem to believe that anyone would pay duty on this… They made the assumption that I would reject the shipment. So, several days pass, no delivery, then another call. I say “yes”, deliver them, and wait again. Repeat X 4.
Strange situation.
There is certainly no rhyme or reason to it! I never know what to expect on customs!
Hi Mr. Bob,
Thank you very much for your post. It’s very informative, however, I am still quite confused. You mentioned that the customs charge is for the big shipping companies like FedEx and DHL, right? Well, I got a package from Japan the other day and I used EMS to ship it. I was charged more than $50 for it and I was very surprised. It was only through postal service but the customs charge is very expensive. Does this mean that EMS uses FedEx or DHL? The amount of the items in the package is around $300 if that helps. Hope to hear if you can enlighten me in this situation. Thanks so much for your time.
Hello mr. bob
Wanna ask if how much do you think the custom will gonna charge my sister with two mobile(samsung galaxy s2) from sweden? Even i will write it’s a gift do they still need to pay ?
Thank you in advance!
I have no way of knowing.
Hey Bob,
I have a laptop that I bought it 6 months ago, and I wanted to send it to my niece in Baguio city, do you think the USPS is the best place to send it. Do you think it’s safe. Thank you for your info.
harold
Personally, I would not trust sending a laptop through the Philippine Postal system. That is only my personal opinion. What you do is your choice.
hi hardol,
please don’t ship valuable item using the postal service, my friend sent me a bass guitar last oct 16,2012 and until now it haven’t arrived. she mailed it from california and after 1 week, it arrived here in the philippines after arriving in the philippines it was sent for customs clearance. it is sitting there for more than 2 weeks now, i’ve been asking our postmaster here in baguio city but he has no idea when it will be cleared, he told me that one of the parcel in his office was in customs possession for almost months!
i also want to share my experince with DHL. i’ve ordered 9 pcs lomography film for about 30USD in hongkong it arrived here in the philippines after 1day but DHL told me to pay 50USD for customs fee! i’ve checked for the rate computation is customs website and it is nowhere near their claim. i’ve asked them for the breakdown but they told me that the can’t provide that, i think my 50USD lined up their pocket.
Hi there all!
please let me know any idea will be so useful. If parcel is unclaimed in Pasay customs would they return it to the sender, as this is what was stated in the paper attached to the parcel.
I am sorry, I do not know for sure.
Hi, I am planning to buy this toy/plush from ebay and I’ve found 2 types of delivery from 2 sellers. the other one’s USPS Priority mail international and the other’s USPS first class mail international. The former’s more expensive than the other and I don’t get the difference between the 2. Which is better?
And would it be advisable if I buy it at this time of the year? (christmas season) I am quite more concerned on our country’s system. I’m afraid I would waste my money once the system here ruins the shipping.
Hello Eubree – The Priority mail will be faster than the first class. Other than that, they should be handled in an identical manner.
hi bob, thanks for the info, I am really annoyed by how my goods are being taxed at customs. i bought this goods from china, they had many shipment method to choose from but i chose the cheap method, and that’s the fedEx at that moment, paid the shipment and hoping nothing was the problem until the air21 called me and said i had to pay for the customs tax which is much expensive than the goods itself. i am wondering cause, its my 3rd time to placed an order online and the first 2 orders were delivered by lbc which had no tax and by now, i was shocked that, if only i know this would happen, i won’t take any risk. i should have bought here at local store than wait for 7 days, paid the tax, poor quality goods..in the end, i pay money for some kind of a hell..
If you are a Filipino, Kris, complain to the government about this. If enough complain, maybe something will be done.
Hi,
I bought a game on ebay and it cost about 53.88$ I have the tracking number and it’s in Philpost. Will customs tax me a lot?
I don’t have any idea, Bruce. That will be determined by the Bureau of Customs.
Thanks Bob.
Hi,
I bought a game on ebay and it cost about 53.88$ I have the tracking number and it’s in Philpost. Will customs tax me a lot?
I have no way of knowing, Bruce.
Hi Bob. I’m from cebu. I’m expecting a package from the U.S. It just a box of cosmetics. I usually have it shipped via USPS and I’ve had no problems getting them from the post office. But this time, I don’t know what came over me, I sent it using Fedex. Now, I’m worried that I’ll be charged for customs and taxes.
Hi Zee, it is nearly 100% that there will be customs charges. That is how your government does it.
Well you will be. Last year I did order cosmetics. The package itself cost about 2000 in peso and I paid Fedex for roughly 30 dollars. So the total cost for the package is more than 3000 in peso. My package arrive really fast but then I was charged about 1800. It was delivered on our door and tax was collected on the spot. I felt robbed that time since I can’t even make a proper complaint. On the computation, it shows that shipping was included in the tax computation. The actual computation was actually not printed. Fedex doesn’t have a physical company here. It was delivered by a local forwarding company.
Hi Bob,
I want to order a circuit board for a hard drive from the US. The item costs $35. The options for shipping are below. Which one would you recommend? Thanks.
USPS First Class or Air Mail
Free Shipping $0.00
Federal Express
International Economy $45.55
International Priority $61.27
United States Postal Service
First-Class Mail International Large Envelope $11.01
Priority Mail International $35.25
Express Mail International $43.95
It’s your choice t make… I don’t have any recommendation.
Bob
I bought 4 used calculators (all from the same seller) for $16.00. The shipping costs is $12.00. He sent it via USPS First-Class Mail International. Will these be delivered to my doorstep or do I have to claim it at the post office or at the customs office? How much should I expect to pay? Also, it was shipped on January 07, 2013 from Ohio. Do you know the estimated time of arrival here in the Philippines. Thank you very much!
No, I have no way of knowing the answers to your questions. These things vary from shipment to shipment and location to location.
Good luck to you.
Fair enough. But can you at least give me an estimate of how much I should expect to pay for the taxes?
Sure, I would say you should expect to pay between P 20 to P 2000. On items of a similar value, I have paid wide ranging charges like this. That is how wild ranging Philippine customs is, and why I try not to answer questions like yours. There is just no way to give an estimate that is even close.
I once received a package containing one used Harry Potter book from the US before, I lived in the ARMM region back then. It was sent via first class, though I can’t remember which company though. I received the parcel, and it didn’t cost me a penny. To tell you the truth, I was really surprised.
Glad that worked out for you, Nahla!
Hello, my boyfriend send me an ipad mini and some other stuff through USPS. He sent it last dec 23 the package is currently with the Philippine custom since Jan 15, my question is how long do u think it will be delivered in my house since its been a week…? Thank you.
Hi Anne – I am sorry but I have no way of knowing the answers to your questions.
I think you should call the post office near your place. I don’t think they’ll send it to your house. And expect a high customs duty fee and taxes, just setting you expectation.
Hi, the 40 pesos charge used to work for me. I live in metro manila. But just this morning I received the notice from philpost about the cellphone battery that i bought from ebay for only 7.98 dollars (320 pesos more or less). when i got to the post office i paid 40 and then they are asking for another 720 pesos for customs duties and taxes! That’s more than 2x the price of the battery. I was thinking like, “What! This is absurd!” So i just politely said to the person (who was never there before on my previous claims) that i don’t have that money because i was expecting the same price.
I have experienced the same, Anthony, and you are right… it is absurd.
Hey Anthony, so did the person let you go after you said that you didn’t have the money?
Hi, last Jan. 6, 2012, my mother-in-law sent us a package (DVD set and 30 books) with a total value of $68. It took 10 days for us to claim it and I paid P44 for a Medium Flat Rate box. Then, last July 30, 2012 she sent another package (Digital Camera) worth $150. Sadly it took almost 2 months to received it, but the worst part, they charge me P1425 for BOC. Now my husband sent a package worth $300, he sent it last Jan. 25, 2013, when I tracked it, it’s already here last Jan. 28 and still at the sorting facility…I’m hoping it will arrive soon because all of the items in there are for my baby.
Good luck with your package.
we have almost the same date(jan 22 sent, arrived in the phils. jan.29), mine was send thru usps from Sanfo to TAgoloan,Misamis Oriental…there are 6 books i’m excited about….hope you can notify me if you have yours
i ordered some products in the US with a total declared value of 2000 dollars sent via DHL…which is now being held and taxes yet to be declared…upon reading this thread i might as well say adieu to my 2000 bucks.
Keep the faith… you never know!
hi..i’m waiting for the package my sister sent last January 22, 2013. it’s from SanFo and i’m in Misamis Oriental near Cagayan de Oro. i have her tracking number and i saw that its now in the Philippines under process thru sort facility….i’m really excited because she sent books-thick ones…she paid $70 for it….
Okay, enjoy your books!
Hi. I am waiting for a package (dslr camera) a gift from a friend in the US, the USPS told her that it would take like 3-5 days for the package to be received. It has been more than a week now and based on the track and trace website it has been in customs clearance for days now and hasn’t been moved out. My friend had it registered and insured, when I searched the web regarding this “customs clearance” I found out that there are so many complaints already about packages/boxes that got lost and never reached its destination. I am searching for a number where I can inquire about my package, but to no avail. When I called the post office they told me that the package was sent via Express Mail and it will not pass thru them so they adviced me to go and inquire at the Pasay Office, they gave me a number to call but the number seemed to be not in service. Do you have any number where I can make an inquiry on this? Thanks in advance
The USPS did not know what they were talking about if they said it would take 3 to 5 days. It takes at least 2 weeks for a package from the USA to make it to the Philippines, go through customs, etc, before it will be delivered. That is just how the Philippines works. They are slow here. I have no number, sorry.
hi bob,,can i ask because my boyfrend send me a package it came from the USA,.like watch, i phone and set of jewelries,,,first they charge me on the set of jewelries of $1500 and then after i pay a couple of days they charge me again for a gold certicate of the jewelry and suddenly my boyfrend is in travel so again we pay $1350 for the custom again in manila,,and now they see an envelope which is my boyfrend accidentally put ther have a money inside,,thats the money he cant find b4,,and then now i call her and why my items is not deliver till now??? and thats they told me they see some money to the envelope,,and then i ask them what should we do,,they told they charge me again???is this true how many dollar we spend now???my package is deliver here in dubai and i dont know why it came in the philippines,,so many custom they pass by in usa,netherland and in malaysia,,they dont have problem,,,and i dont know what is the problem ther in the philippines custom,,,
I am sorry but I can not follow your writing. I don’t know what you are asking.
I can just imagine how rich these people in customs and post offices are whether in physical goods or cash “robbed” from victims like us who have no choice but to pay exorbitant rate which has no direct basis or standard ways of computation. As one of the messages here said “just get the mount out of the thin air”
I won’t tell my exact story altho it’s similar to many of those here. I can just conclude that it’s not really a good idea to send something to PH unless it’s a worst scenario situation that you really really have to send it. There’s too much hassle, waiting, headache, and slash from your pocket. The savings that we thought we got from buying abroad will not be a savings at all.
Thanks for all the messages here. They are helpful. I will just wait for the relative who is coming to bring the items to PH instead.
Also, the website tracking of Philpost is useless since even if it says item has arrived it’s destination- it stays put in the post office for some more days upto 1 month and so. Expect stress when you’re shipping to PH.
I hope someone working in the PO can expose the notorious activities of how exactly PH Post is.
Hi…I have read a lot of bad experience using philpost for overcharging especially in luzon areas. I’m from Davao Oriental, my fiancee sent me about 10 packages already which value from 100 to $250 and pay P40 each for postal fee. But last week, fiancee send me package which contains iphone and ipad mini and some things which value $900. im a bit scared of charges than it will be lost or stolen cos it was insured. lol Sooo for a better protection I didnt addressed it to my home instead to my aunt who works in the municipality since they all know her. And i was thinking maybe the customs wont charge much since it will be from a person working in the government too. I’ll let u know when/if i get it and how much I have to pay.
Good luck to you Marci.
Ty bob.. So I got it today! I thought I’m going to get it in 2 weeks but not. It was exact 6 working days(usps express mail int’l). My aunt text me that it arrives already that I should pay P50 for it. I went there as fast as I could and told the post office employee that I’m going to check first if some thing is missing. I’m glad everything was there and happily went back home.
That is great news! Congratulations.
that sounds like reasonable time for them to decide if they want to steal my package or forward it to my local post office…you think if us Filipino citizens create some noise Phil customs will change it’s way? it’s about HOPE I can say. good luck!
Hi Mike – That is the only way that things in the country will ever change… if Filipinos complain about things that are wrong. Good luck!
Hi Bob, just a quick question for me to have an idea what to do. I have these package sent last December from USA (USPS priority mail) and I received it in less than 6 weeks, not bad I only paid 40 php as I expected. so again I have the same package send to me (same weight, same process ) BUT since “January 24, 2013, 1:15 pm” on my tracking it is for “Custom Clearance” to mention package is already in the Philippines since “January 17, 2013″. until now I keep following up in PO but they cannot give me information. What do you suggest me to do if there’s any or is these just normal process and average time? Thanks Bob
Hi Mike – I am really not sure what you can do. Did you ask at the post office if you can file some kind of complaint, to see if they can track it down? Also, since you said that your first package took about 6 weeks, it would seem that you are not too far beyond that on your second package. Maybe it will show up soon? Beyond that, I can’t really say.
Thanks Bob, I went to PO yesterday and wow! they said it’s normal, there’s what they have this tracking system only for them to use and PO told me some packages took 5-6 months in custom clearance, I just told them my brother didn’t sent the whole supermarket so it will take that long. and leave PO. maybe I’ll just wait the card on my door steps expecting 3 more months. weew! what else can we do right? we can’t make such noise to get their attention. Thanks again Bob. more power!
Wow, 5 to 6 months in customs? That’s terrible!
Hey Mindanaobob,
I sent a package from the USA to your country the Philippines, but my girlfriends (yes you read it right) told me that they have not received it yet. What’s wrong with your freight service Mindanaobob???? Are you for real? I thought your service is fast with your exorbitant prices. Where are my packages for my GIRLFRIENDS? Here is the tracking number, in case you lost it too….MBOB-4568-222-O210
It would seem tthat you are confused. I am not Filipino, so it is not my country or my postal service. Good luck with your package, but don’t blame me if you don’t like the service.
Hello! Thanks for this info!
Anyway, I was wondering if you know anything about packages from UK to the Philippines? I wanted to buy from this online store (lookbeauty.co.uk) since they ship internationally. I was just worried that I would be charged for claiming my package, and I was also wondering if they will deliver it to my doorstep or I’d have to claim it or something. This is my first time to try buying items to be shipped.
Thanks!
Hi Nastasisia – Thanks for dropping by my site and for commenting. I really don’t have an experience in receiving packages from the UK, but I would expect that it is about the same as from the USA, as it is once the package enters the Philippines when bad things and delays usually happen. If you read the comments here about experiences in receiving packages from the USA, I think those experiences are what you can expect.
Hi!
I bought some concert goods from Taiwan a year ago and they charged me P40 for the customs fee.
I am planning to buy some dvds in Japan but I am worried they might charge me a large amount because some friends have experienced paying as much as P1500
Is the customs charge dependent on the cost of the goods or on the weight of the items or from where it was sent?
Thank you very much.
To be honest, there is no rhyme or reason as to how they charge. You just never know.
Hi bob. My mother sent 3 tablets and 2 ipods. she paid shipping fee and now customs charged about 20,000 for pick up. is this normal? could the items be returned back to sender and would there be any fees if so? thanks.
Hi Bee – It is not surprising to me that the customs charges are so high, given the value of the items shipped.
There will be significant costs to send it back to the States, they won’t do that for free. If you don’t intend to pick the items up, probably they will just be confiscated by the Customs department.
thanks! i think its not appropriate to base the customs fee depending on the value of the items. they should’ve charged items at a fixed price cause the sender already shouldered the shipping fee..
anyway, thank you! this really helped me a lot.
Every country that I am aware of charges based on item value.
Wow what a long running article. Maybe you should do a book on shipping.
In an effort to help, I would like to mention L.B.C. AIR CARGO they are not cheap but are good.
They handle all Philippine customs and will even pack your items for you. Its £30 for laptop -netbook -tablet customs charge. £7 for a phone the same rates apply to used or new.
The shipping charge from London to Visayas is £30 per kilo. The weekly container leaves on Friday so I drop my packages to their office Thursday morning and the packages are in delivered in Visayas on Monday morning.
Another hint for packages to Philippines is that there is a 250 peso charge on informal postal packages as well as the customs duty. So if you ant to send several spare expensive batteries then send them with a phone or other electronics and declare them as spare batteries for that equipment. In that way you will pay duty on the equipment only. A replacement battery for a cell phone is charged at the same rate as the phone if it is not shipped with the phone.
I never ship phones laptops or anything expensive through the post I have had some horrible experiences with Philpost.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, corjo, and the information about LBC.
Its sad that the customs department is making it so hard to import goods, they are crippling the economy and technology advancement. Its just another one of the things that makes this country stay third world… comon philippines move to 2nd world some day get control of the customs dept….
I also believe that the Philippines would progress a lot more if there was more consistency with customs charges.
This is so sad. Not even one positive comment or experience with the Customs. The RP government wake up and do something.
Actually, the article itself, which I wrote, was about my positive experience receiving parcels through the postal system.
Hi Bob, I bought $220 worth of goodies weighting 7lbs, they are shipped with dhl , do you have any idea how much customs would charge me? cause for real I don’t really have any money in my hands to pay any custom fees
I have no way of knowing what they will charge. As I repeat over and over again, they are unpredictable.
Hi Bob, thank God I found this thread. It is of great help. I recently ordered a recording mixer from ebay. The sender used USPS Priority Mail International for the shipping. The item costs $129.99 and weighs about 7-9 lbs. Postage price was $74.75. I am not actually acquainted with the Customs rules on which items they put tax on (of which I believe they don’t really have set standards). Is my package heavy or expensive enough to be noticed by the Customs ‘crooks’?
I ordered the item for my wedding in May. I’m a musician so my fiancee and I came up to this idea that we will record our own songs and put it in a CD for our wedding tokens (she always wanted something different, and I love her for that ^_^). I am expecting my order to arrive sometime next week since it was indicated that the business days would take 6-10 days. In your post and comments you said that items sent via USPS Priority Mail Int’l took 2-4 weeks to reach the destination. haha. That gave me a bit of a worry because we (badly) need the item a.s.a.p.
Certainly, your post lifted up my hopes. Thanks Bob!
Cheers!
Good luck with your package, Steven.
I don’t mind paying for these charges as long as it’s within reason. I bought this “box” from this popular website, it contains different items picked by them. Normal value for the box is $40 + $17 shipping via Fedex. I had a coupon which was $25 off, thus I only paid $32. I estimate the charges would be Php1500 at the most for the package. I had items delivered to me by a different courier and was charged Php800 – 1500 for items worth $50 – 80. When I emailed Fedex asking how much I have to pay, they replied that I have to pay Php2300+, almost 200% of what I have paid. I then asked them to give me a breakdown and I never received a reply (they were prompt with random queries before hehe).
I contacted the website where I bought the box from to ask if there is any way I can refuse the delivery, have it sent back and get a refund. They were really sorry for the additional charges and told me to attach an invoice so they can refund me. Now I kinda feel bad doing this because they need pay me $57 when I only paid $32 including shipping. I am not sure if they would actually do that, so I’m not keeping my hopes up. They have also told me that they have coordinated with Fedex and for future orders, I won’t be charged anymore for duties. Hmm.
As for deliveries made via post office, I think it depends on the mood of the person inspecting the box. Based on my experience, I just pay Php40 storage fee for low value items $60 or less. But then, the lady beside me waiting at the post office said she was charged Php 500 for a cheap electric toothbrush.
Hi, I live in California and I have an ebay auction going for an Apple MacBook Pro Laptop and the high bidder is from the Phillipines. The bid is at $589 USD plus he would pay $70 for shipping through EMS. It;s states in the auction that there may be a customs fee, duty, or tax for international customers, so they must expect to pay some extra for taxes. I’ve read up on shipping through EMS and it seems unreliable for expensive items and they may get charged a lot? Would FedEx be more reliable? I know it costs more, but will the customs charges be more accurate through FedEx and will the laptop arrive safe and secure? Thanks!
Yes, they may be charged as much as the price of the laptop for customs, you just don’t know. It could be the same whether FedEx or Postal.
Wow. I never knew this at all. Yesterday was the first time that I ordered something online. I paid like $48 including shipping via FedEx. How much would you think I will pay for the customs charges? Thank you so much
I have no way of knowing, sorry.
Hi Bob, first of all thank you for this post
I just want to ask what you mean by sending it to the Post Office? Do you mean that instead of sending it to my home address, I will use the address of the post office to send my items? I am planning to buy some clothes from China and the seller only accepts EMS… I did buy a shoe once and I sent it directly to my home address. Guess what, the people over at the Customs raped me with their “magic” taxes…
So do i have to use the address of the Post office instead of using my own address in order to avoid this? Then pick the item up at the post office when it arrives? I heard my friend saying he only paid 40 pesos and we even bought the same item! Maybe that’s what he did?
Thanks and hope you can answer!
Hi Odin – I simply mean to use the Post Office as the shipper. Don’t use other companies like FedEx, UPS, etc.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the answer.. but how exactly do i do that? Like I said, the seller i talked to only ships via EMS.
EMS is the post office.
Hi Bob, I just want to ask if I’ll avoid taxes if I use USPS to ship what I buy online to the Philippines.
That has been my experience, Lawrence, but others have had differing experiences.