Philippines Customs Import and Export Policies
SummaryThe article outlines the Philippines' customs import and export policies, detailing the categorization and management of imported goods, incentives for export trade, and inspection and quarantine regulations for commodities related to public welfare, health, safety, and property.
Trade Management Regulations
Import Commodity Management
The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of the Philippines categorizes imported goods into four types: freely imported goods; controlled imported goods; restricted imported goods; and prohibited imported goods.
Prohibited Imported Goods
Printed materials containing content that subverts state power or violates Phipppine laws;
Goods, tools, drugs, and advertising materials used for illegal abortions;
Printed materials or media products containing immoral content;
Goods containing gold, silver, or other precious metals without indicated purity;
Food and drugs that violate local regulations;
Goods that infringe on intellectual property rights;
Other goods prohibited for import as specified in laws and regulations issued by relevant authorities.
Restricted Imported Goods The following goods are prohibited for import unless authorized by law or regulation:
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other weapons;
Gambpng equipment;
Lottery tickets and prize bonds;
Drugs, addictive substances, and their derivatives prohibited by the President of the Phipppines;
Toxic, harmful, and dangerous goods;
Other restricted goods.
Controlled Imported Goods Controlled imported goods must obtain a license or
authorization from the relevant authority before importation. A list of controlled imported
goods can be found in the Philippine National Trade Database.
Freely Imported Goods Except for prohibited, restricted, and controlled
imported goods, other goods can be freely imported and exported from the Philippines unless
otherwise specified by laws and regulations.
Export Commodity Management
Similarly, in accordance with the CMTA, the Philippine government generally adopts an encouraging policy towards export trade. This includes simplifying export procedures, exempting export surtaxes, allowing for value-added tax refunds for re-exported imported goods, providing foreign exchange support, and utilizing low-cost facilities in export processing zones.
Import and Export Commodity Inspection and Quarantine in the
Philippines
Commodities related to people's livelihood, health, safety, and property
Medical oxygen, consumer goods, electrical and fire-fighting equipment, and building materials are required to provide product standard permits and certificates from the Bureau of Product Standards.
Food, drugs, and cosmetics
Relevant regulations include the Food and Drug Administration Act (Republic Act
No. 9711) and the Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act (Republic Act No. 3720).
(1) All imported food must comply with Philippine food hygiene standards. Any food that
directly or indirectly threatens public health and environmental safety cannot be
imported. All food and agricultural products entering the Philippines must undergo
quarantine to ensure that these commodities are not contaminated by any pests and meet
safety standards. Philippine food needs to follow the guidelines of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission and the regulations formulated by the Philippine Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Importers must ensure that any product entering the customs
territory of the country fully complies with Philippine sanitary and phytosanitary
regulations. In case of non-compliance, the goods may be rejected and ordered to be
destroyed or disposed of outside the Philippines.
Food additives, packaging, and trademarks must also meet Philippine quality
requirements.
Currently, the Philippines has not yet formulated national standards for food
microorganisms.
(2) Drugs and cosmetics. A production license must be obtained during production, and
clinical trial reports from internationally accredited institutions must be provided.
Animal and plant products
The import of meat and meat products requires quarantine permits. Importers of imported
meat, fish, or agricultural products are required to register as the consignee of the
goods.
Importers of live animals must obtain a Veterinary Quarantine Clearance (VQC)
certificate from the Philippine government department before importation, as well as an
export animal inspection certificate from the country of origin and a certificate of
origin health.
Fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery/aquatic products are only allowed to be imported
when certified by the relevant authorities. Such certification is exempted only for
fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery/aquatic products imported for canning and
processing purposes and imported by institutional buyers. Fish and fishery/aquatic
products for distribution and further processing must be accompanied by an international
health certificate issued by a competent regulatory authority recognized by the
Philippines.
To address the pressure from domestic vegetable producers to restrict imports, the
Philippines has further tightened the application procedures for import licenses for
such products.
Relevant regulations include the Meat Inspection Code (Republic Act No. 9296)
and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (Republic Act No. 8435).
Hazardous goods
The import of hazardous goods must be labeled and sold in accordance with the standards of the Philippine Department of Health. Relevant hazardous goods include irritants and corrosives, flammable and radioactive substances.
Other general commodities
There are 28 types of products that must undergo product standard inspection locally, including lighting products, wires and cables, sanitary ware, household appliances, tires, and cement.