Shipping From The Philippines: Procedures, Costs, and Customs

Shipping items from the Philippines to another country requires the right carrier, correct paperwork, and proper packing. This guide covers how to prepare your packages, which shipping company to use, what customs requires, and the most common mistakes to avoid.

The Philippines attracts millions of international visitors each year. At the same time, a large number of foreign nationals live in the Philippines as retirees, workers, business owners, and long-term visa holders.

If you are one of these expats or tourists, you may want to send something back home: essential documents, personal belongings, or something uniquely Filipino that caught your eye while shopping. You’ll want an affordable and reliable international shipper to handle it.

Preparing Your Packages

Proper packing is the single most important thing you can do to protect your shipment. International packages experience rough handling, and personal items with sentimental value cannot be replaced.

First, choose function over form. Use rigid boxes and packing materials that prioritize protection, not appearance. Sacks and baskets look attractive but offer almost no protection in transit.

Second, think about the shipping method. Will your package travel by air or sea? Can the packaging handle a forklift, being strapped to a pallet, or having other items stacked on top of it? If you are sharing a container with others (LCL), the packaging must withstand all of these without sustaining damage.

Third, consider the environment your package will pass through. This step is often overlooked. Wrap items in a plastic bag as well as bubble wrap before sealing the box to protect against water damage. Shipping containers can reach temperatures of at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit, so avoid sending items that can melt or are heat-sensitive.

If you hire a shipping company to pack your goods, find out who will actually do the packing, what methods they use, and whether they can send photos of your packaged items for your records. Request photos especially for high-value items.

Paperwork

Whether you need to complete a Customs Declaration form depends on what you are shipping and which carrier you use.

If you are sending documents via the Philippine Postal Service, no forms are required. The same applies to PHLPost Cargo Service for personal items like clothing, books, and small household items under 30 kg. You only need to submit an itemized list.

For larger-ticket items such as electronics, you will typically need to submit: a Packing List, an Invoice with item values, a Bill of Lading between you and your shipper, and a Customs Export Declaration form. Your shipper will provide these.

Certain items require special government permission to export from the Philippines:

• Endangered species of flora and fauna (Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources)
• Animals and animal products (Bureau of Animal Industry)
• Fish and fish products (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)
• Plants and plant products (Bureau of Plant Industry)
• Rice and rice products (National Food Authority)
• Radioactive materials (Philippine Nuclear Research Institute)
• Sugar and molasses (Sugar Regulatory Administration)

The Philippine government does not typically impose export taxes on personal shipments or most commercial goods. These are normally coordinated and billed by your chosen shipping or freight company.

Confirm that both sender and recipient addresses, item descriptions, quantities, and values are all stated correctly on all documentation before submitting.

Bulk Shipping

If you are shipping a large number of items, relocating to another country, or sending the entire contents of your Philippine home, a freight forwarding or container shipping company is the right choice.

Container Shipping

Container shipping uses a freight container on a cargo ship for large or heavy goods such as cars, motorcycles, furniture, or construction materials. Standard containers are 8 ft wide, 8.5 ft high, and either 20 ft or 40 ft long.

Two container options are available:

• LCL (Less than Container Load): you buy a portion of the container space, measured per cubic meter. Cheaper, but your goods share space with others and the container must fill before shipping begins, which can take days to months.
• FCL (Full Container Load): you get the entire container. More expensive, but you control the timeline, nothing is mixed with others’ goods, and weight is generally not an issue.

Your final cost depends on how much of the container you fill (for LCL) or which container size you choose (for FCL). Prices vary by shipping line, fuel costs, and global freight demand. As of 2026, a 20-foot container from Manila to New York typically costs around US$2,500 to US$4,000. A 40-foot container generally ranges between US$4,500 and US$7,000.

Add insurance regardless of container type. Shipping insurance typically starts at around US$100 to US$200, depending on the declared value of your goods.

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Freight Forwarder

A freight forwarder acts as an intermediary between you and the cargo transportation services. They negotiate pricing, arrange shipping routes, handle documentation, coordinate with port and customs authorities, and can manage storage and tracking.

Freight forwarders rarely list fixed prices on their websites; every shipment is negotiated based on current carrier rates. Contact them directly for a quote. They will also advise whether sea or air freight is best for your shipment and which route is fastest.

Freight pricing is calculated one of two ways:

• Gross (real) weight of the package
• Dimensional (volumetric) weight: length x width x height, used when the package is large but light

Sea freight from the Philippines to most destinations takes around 1 to 2 months. Ask your freight forwarder for an accurate estimate based on your specific destination.

You can use this form to find a suitable freight forwarder and receive free quotes within 24 hours. For additional export regulations, consult the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry website.

Shipping Companies

The following carriers are the most accessible and widely used for parcel shipping from the Philippines internationally. For bulk shipments or full household moves, use a freight forwarder or relocation company instead. You can also fill out this form to get free quotes from moving companies near you.

PHLPost

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is the government-owned postal service with branches all over the country. It is the most affordable option for international shipping but also the slowest and comes with the most risk.

PHLPost offers four international services: Regular mail (cheapest, slowest, no tracking), Registered mail (adds tracking but still slow), EMS World (express service, similar to FedEx but cheaper), and PHLCargo (cargo delivery for larger packages, max 30 kg).

Do not seal your package before going to the post office, as they need to verify items at the counter. PHLPost does not offer insurance for international packages. Use PHLPost only for low-value, non-urgent items where cost is the priority.

DHL

DHL is one of the world’s largest express shipping companies, with over 200 outlets across the Philippines serving more than 100 cities and provinces.

DHL Philippines offers two international options: Express (guaranteed delivery by a specific time the next business day) and Express Worldwide (delivery at some point the following day, slightly cheaper). DHL also tracks up to 50 packages simultaneously and offers insurance or referral to a third-party insurer.

FedEx

With over 400 Authorized Ship Centers across the Philippines, FedEx is one of the fastest and most reliable options. Services include ground, air, and sea freight, plus a Customs Critical Shipping option that fast-tracks your package through customs with temperature-controlled shipping available for sensitive items. Tracking is standard on all packages; insurance is available as an add-on.

UPS

UPS has offices and authorized drop-off points throughout Manila and the Philippines. UPS WorldWide Express Plus can deliver from the Philippines to over 185 countries in as little as three days. Unlike DHL and FedEx, some add-on services such as customs clearance and Saturday delivery incur additional charges at UPS.

Cost Comparison

The following is a comparison for a 0.5 kg document package sent from Manila, Philippines to New York, USA. Prices shown are base shipping costs only and do not include optional services such as insurance or tracking add-ons.

Service	Estimated Delivery Time	Method	Cost (PHP)
PHLPost Registered Mail	14-28 days	Air	₱630-₱950
PHLPost EMS World	3-7 days	Air	₱1,900-₱2,700
DHL Express Worldwide	2-4 days	Air	₱3,200-₱4,800
FedEx International Priority	2-4 days	Air	₱3,100-₱4,600
UPS Worldwide Saver	2-5 days	Air	₱3,200-₱4,700

Use online rate calculators from DHL, FedEx, or UPS to get updated quotes for your specific package weight, dimensions, and destination. Rates shift with fuel costs and seasonal demand, so always check current pricing before booking.

Customs

Most packages are held at the Philippine Bureau of Customs for a day or two. However, packages from the Philippines can face extra scrutiny at destination customs compared to packages from countries like Germany or Switzerland. Detailed, accurate packing lists are the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.

Include the following information on all international packages:

• Shipper’s full name and address
• Package weight
• Country of origin (Philippines)
• Detailed description of each item in English
• Quantity of each item
• Purchase price of each item in the currency of the destination country

Items banned from export by the Philippine government include:

• Weaponry (including toy guns) and ammunition
• Explosives
• Pornography
• Gambling machines and related articles (lottery tickets)
• Raw precious metals or jewelry without markings
• Narcotics
• Smoking pipes and parts

International Customs

Follow the import guidelines of the destination country to prevent your package from being held at the receiving port. Do not ship anything that is illegal in the destination country, and carry copies of any import permits required.

Customs importation guidelines for major destinations:

• USA: Customs and Border Protection
• Canada: Import Permits and Restrictions
• United Kingdom: Banned and Restricted Goods
• Australia: Prohibited Goods

For packages heading to the USA, check if your shipper participates in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program (CTPAT). If you have trouble locating a package, contact your shipper or the US Customs and Border Protection (or its equivalent in other countries).

Shipping Insurance

Shipping insurance protects your goods against damage from weather, accidents, or theft in transit. Insurance rates vary based on the CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) value, the items shipped, the origin and destination, and the carrier used. Professional packing by a certified company is often required for full insurance coverage.

Add insurance whenever you are shipping valuable or irreplaceable items. The peace of mind is worth the cost, and the premiums are typically modest relative to the value being protected.

Common Mistakes

To ensure your items arrive safely and on time, avoid these common errors:

• Not understanding customs procedures
• Packing items incorrectly
• Not filling in addresses and forms correctly
• Missing required government paperwork
• Shipping prohibited items
• Providing inaccurate shipping weights
• Selecting the wrong shipping service for your timeline or budget

Final Thoughts

Whether you are an expat in the Philippines, a tourist sending gifts home, or a business owner shipping goods internationally, matching the right carrier to your needs will save you money and reduce the risk of delays or damage.

For Filipinos abroad looking to send goods in the opposite direction, our guide to the balikbayan box Philippines covers how to send packages to the Philippines from overseas. For incoming shipments, see our guide to shipping to the Philippines.

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