Philippines Customs Import and Export Policies

Summary

The 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.