I’m planning a trip to the Philippines, but what personal items can I bring along?
The country has specific customs regulations for certain goods, such as food, electronics, and medications. To avoid unpleasant surprises at customs, you should know what personal items are allowed in the Philippines and what requires special permits.
This guide helps you pack wisely and ensures a smooth and stress-free arrival in the country. Here’s everything you need to know about bringing personal items into the Philippines.
When packing for your flight to the Philippines, it is important to be familiar with the guidelines on bringing duty-free items into the Philippines. You don’t want to get fined, do you?
Listed here are the items that you can bring for your trip to the Philippines.
As a foreign traveler, you can bring a maximum of USD 10,000 or PHP 500,000 in cash. If you carry cash beyond this amount, you must fill out a Foreign Currency Declaration Form, which can be downloaded online or obtained from the Customs Desk upon arrival at the airport.
For your convenience, fill out the necessary information a day before your trip. Wondering what to do? Pay all ears! First, log in to the Bureau of Customs website, and accomplish the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration (e-CBD) Application. After submitting the required information, download and print the QR Code being sent to your email address. Finally, present it to the Customs officer upon arrival/departure.
Now, you’re probably wondering what to do if you failed to execute such a document prior to your arrival in the country. Here’s a catch! Use the kiosk at the Customs Desk and apply online. Not a techie person? Not a problem. A Customs Officer at the Desk can assist you in accomplishing the printed declaration form.
Note: Lighters and matches are strictly prohibited in all airports in the Philippines.
Vape products and related items, such as e-cigarettes and e-liquids, cannot be imported, and are banned for use in public places. Got questions? Go ahead and check out the Bureau of Customs Passenger Guidelines .
Different rules apply to Balikbayans and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) . Balikbayans are Filipino citizens who are visiting or returning to the Philippines for 1 year (at least). They are entitled to duty- and tax-free privileges.
If you are coming to the Philippines, here are the things that you need to know about the Manila International Airport NAIA travel guide, the main international gateway for travelers to the country.
Are you planning to bring commercial and recreational drones on your trip to the Philippines? Go on! But, you should understand that airline companies operating in the country have different rules when onboarding your drone. To give you a heads-up on these rules, check this out.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) laid down the guidelines for using drones in the Philippines. As of 2021, flying a drone in the Philippines for non-commercial purposes should adhere to these general rules:
There are even more rules in flying a drone for commercial purposes. We strongly recommend reading up about Drone Laws in the Philippines before your flight to ensure that requirements and other possible documentations are secured.
Are you ready to explore the country? Here are some best travel safety tips when traveling to the Philippines. A grasp of these things can save you time and money as you journey around the different tourist destinations that await you.
Power banks have become a travel essential for many travelers. Although each airline has different rules and guidelines regarding the allowable capacity of power banks, one thing is certain. All lithium batteries are prohibited in the checked-in baggage. However, power banks that are less than 20,000 mAh are allowed as carry-on luggage.
The Philippine government allows foreign tourists to bring certain items into the Philippines, but all these are subject to limitations. You can only bring up to 2 rims of cigarettes and up to 2 bottles of wine.
If you are bringing in cash, make sure that it does not exceed PHP 500,000 or USD 10,000. Always be on the safe side, and declare all your personal items whenever required as you enter the country.
Also, if you are bringing in a drone, you must also be aware of certain airline rules like the drone weight and size limitation. Flying a drone in the Philippines is also subject to many laws and local rules.
Are you ready to visit the Philippines?
Make sure to pack the right travel essentials. It is clever and more convenient to learn some useful Filipino words for ease of communication.
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Before flying to the Philippines, it’s important to understand the customs regulations and know what duty-free or restricted items you can or cannot bring into the country during your visit.
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