Information on Philippines Custom Rules for Tourists

Philippines Customs Rules

Import regulations::

Free import:
1. all passengers (18 years of age and over) (duty free allowance only once per year per passenger):
a. 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes pipe tobacco;
b. 2 bottles alcoholic beverages of not more than 1 litre each;
2. once a year the following categories of passengers may bring in goods as specified below duty free:
a. returning residents who have stayed abroad more than 6 months:
used electronic or electrical appliances and personal effects up to the value of PHP 10,000.-;
b. contract workers:
used personal effects up to value of PHP 10,000.- and
used home appliances, limited to 1 of each kind, up to the value of PHP 10,000.-.Prohibited:1. printed subversive, obscene and pornographic materials;
2. drugs or substances for abortion;
3. gambling machines and articles, jackpot or pinball machines, lottery sweepstakes tickets, coin operated video machines;
4. articles of gold, silver and precious metals without indications of actual fineness of quality;
5. misbranded and/or adulterated drugs or foodstuffs.

Arms and Ammunition regulations::

Prohibited:firearms and firearm parts, replicas, explosives and ammunition.

Wild Fauna and Flora::

Prohibited:1. marijuana, poppy, coca leaves, heroin, opium or any other prohibited drugs; opium pipes and parts thereof;
2. to transport to the Philippines all plants, planting materials, fruits and vegetables, irregardless of quantity, if not accompanied by a valid quarantine documents (Import Permit/Authority to Import).

Export regulations::

Free export by passengers (18 years and over):
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500 grammes of tobacco;
- 1 quart of alcoholic beverages.

Currency rules

Currency Import regulations:

Residents and Non-residents: local currency (Philippine Peso-PHP): up to PHP 10,000.-. Exceeding amounts require an authorisation from the Central Bank of the Philippines. foreign currencies : up to USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent. Amounts exceeding USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent must be declared. 

Information must be furnished on the source and purpose of the transport of such amount. Violation will be subject to sanctions under Philippine customs law and regulations.Note: Only banknotes and coins, which are legal tender must be declared (travellers checks, credit cards etc. are exempt from declaration requirement).

Currency Export regulations:

Residents and Non-residents: local currency (Philippine Peso-PHP): up to PHP 10,000.-. Exceeding amounts require authorisation from the Central Bank of the Philippines. foreign currencies : up to USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent. Amounts exceeding USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent must be declared. 

Information must be furnished on the source and purpose of the transport of such amount. Violation will be subject to sanctions under Philippine customs law and regulations.Note: Only banknotes and coins, which are legal tender must be declared (travellers checks, credit cards etc. are exempt from declaration requirement).