What is the best way to ship goods from China to Philippines ?
Without a doubt, you’re close to do an import/export between China and the Philippines if you’re thinking about this. We know that great English information about this topic is difficult to find on the internet, so we decided to build this page for you to be informed about the importation process between the two countries. As we’ve acquire 10 years of experience on the Asian market, and we’ve worked numerous hours to study this topic, we compiled all what should be known to master this subject. Regardless of whether you’re a well-rounded importer/exporter, or a rookie in international trades, this document will support you to upgrade or launch your shipping process.
SUMMARY
OUR CUSTOMS BROKER INFORM YOU
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN PHILIPPINES
Is it possible to pay 0 duties and taxes?
Info SINO : It’s the million-dollar question, that every international trade worker tries to solve.
China is the country where most of the imported products in the Philippines are coming from in terms of value. 19% of the goods imported into the Philippines are coming from China. In the other way, 22% of the exportations of the Philippines are going to China and Hong Kong. Because the Philippines are being a part of the ASEAN Community, they accepted the cooperation agreements that are smoothing the custom duties and taxes between the two territories. The ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), is the formal treaty acting what tariff barriers and procedures are applicable between China and SE Asia. It diminished to zero, 90% of the taxes over items from China that are imported to the Philippines. Consequently, there is a great probability for you to pay no duties when importing products from China to the Philippines.
You can find below some useful pages to find out what tariff barriers are applicable on your products.
Remark SINO : You don’t have to provide an import license for every product. It will depend on the products you want to import within Philippines. You can have a look at the customs official website to know whether you should apply for a permit or not. Here you will find the official website: Customs Philippines.
Remark SINO : On the official website of the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area, there is a great tool permitting you to calculate what tariff barriers are existing on your goods. Let’s say that you want to import steel from China to the Philippines. In the Key Words bar, type “steel”. In the Country of Origin bar select “China”, and in the Country of Destination bar select “Philippines”. Then search and you will find the rates that are currently applying for steel. ASEAN – CHINA Free trade aera business portal.

The diagram below is explaining the meaning of a HS code :

You already know the HS Code of your products? You can find the tariff barrier that applies on the official website.
To find further information about duties and taxes in Philippines according to your HS code, please check the official website:Integrated Tariff Database (Philippines Customs).
Here you can find a screenshot about this Integrated Tariff Database (Philippines Customs). You still have a doubt ? feel free to contact our SINO Experts !

How can I be exempted of taxes when I am importing to Philippines?
It is interesting to find out because it will help you to reduce the global price of your shipment. Sure, it’s feasible. To achieve it, ask your supplier to provide you the completed Form E document. Please ask him to be meticulous, as you will pay duties as a result, if the Form E is incorrectly written.
a) The Certificate of Origin (CO)
The importance of the CO is unneglectable, because it testifies that your goods were made in a precise place and country. The CO must be yield by a government or a notary public. Often, the CO is split into several regional preferential certificates of origin, non-preferential certificates of origin and the GSP certificate of origin (Form A).
Info SINO : Here is how should be the FORM E here: Form E
b) ASEAN-China Free Trade Certificate of Origin
The China – ASEAN Free Trade Certificate of Origin (FORM E) is valid for all the countries of the ASEAN community, and thus for the Philippines. It complies with the relevant provisions of the product, if issued by the China – ASEAN free Trade Area of preferential origin confirmation letter (FORM E), exports of goods to the 10 countries of the importing country can enjoy preferential tariff treatment, the average tax rate of up to 5%.
The “Trade in Goods Agreement” describes the sample format of the CO that needs to be presented. In Protocol II “Trade in goods agreement”, you must describe what is on the last page.
*You’re now informed about the documents you should provide in the aim of paying less taxes. Now we will detail the different freight methods to transfer goods between the two countries.
Customs contact in China

Official name: General Administration of Customs of China
Official Website: Chinese Customs Website
Customs contact in Philippines

Official name: Bureau of Customs
Official Website: Philippines Customs Website
The Customs Procedures in PHILIPPINES
Therefore, the total value is the sum of:
- The customs value of the goods
- Customs duty payable
- The amount paid or payable to transport the goods to their place of consignment in Australia
- The insurance cost for that transport
- Any other tax payable
Usually, the importer pay GST before the goods are released by Home Affairs. In the case that you are not registered under the deferred GST scheme then the GST has to be paid at the same time at the same place, and in the same manner as you would do for customs duty.
OUR CUSTOMS BROKER INFORM YOU
PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS
Remark SINO : If you have one of the following item, you should check directly with our SINO Experts. Some of those items are restricted or even totally prohibited, it is important to anticipate such shipment to avoid any problem.
Drug Contraband

Explosives

Biohazard

Chemicals

Corrosive

Counterfeit

Ivory

Batteries

Flammable

Firearms

Drugs

Counterfeit Notes

Poison

Pornography

Knife

Tobacco

Gambling

Hazardous

SINO Shipping - Dedicated freight forwarder in PHILIPPINES
Due to our attractive pricing & dedication, many customers trust our services and we thanks them. Stop to overpay the services and save money with our tailored package matching will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective option.
1. SEA FREIGHT FROM/TO Philippines

Ocean freight will be the best deal for you if :
- Your suppliers are located near a major Chinese port
- Your goods are bigger than 2 CBM
- You’re not in a hurry to receive them
SINO Advice : Contact us now! Your personal SINO advisor will find out customized solution for your import process from China to Philippines.
Remark SINO : If you need to import some goods from China to Philippines for your business activity, SINO Shipping is proud to provide a full range of tailored services, suited to all kind of budgets.
As you probably know, the Philippines is a vertically oriented archipelago containing more than 7500 islands. They are facing Southern China and Taïwan. There are 3 distinguishable regions which are the Luçon region in the north, the Visayas region in the center and the Mindanao region in the south. Because of its population exceeding a 100 million of inhabitants, the density of population is huge in the Philippines. There are many big cities in all parts of the country. The biggest cities are Quezon City, Manila, Davao, Caloocan and Cebu City. For all of this reasons, the country possess numerous seaports through the archipelago. Far above the other ports, the biggest is the port of Manilla. Then the other major ports are the port of Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Batangas and Cagayan de Oro. All the other ports are smaller than the previous quoted.
Here is a table of the actual transit time between the major ports in China and the Philippines :
Manila | Davao | Cebu | Batangas | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hong Kong / Shenzhen | 9 days | 11 days | 10 days | 9 days |
Dalian | 7 days | 9 days | 8 days | 7 days |
Tianjin | 12 days | 14 days | 13 days | 12 days |
Qingdao | 11 days | 13 days | 12 days | 11 days |
Ningbo | 10 days | 12 days | 11 days | 10 days |
Shanghai | 10 days | 12 days | 11 days | 10 days |
Xiamen | 9 days | 11 days | 10 days | 9 days |
*As far as transit times from China to Philippines are concerned, it should range around 7-13 days, depending on the city of departure in China.
SINO Plus : We are truly committed to create long-term partnerships with our professional customers. If you need to set up regular traffic between China and Philippines, SINO Shipping is the best choice you could make!
2. AIR FREIGHT FROM/TO Philippines

Ocean freight will be the best deal for you if :
- Your suppliers are located near a major Chinese port
- Your goods are bigger than 2 CBM
- You’re not in a hurry to receive them
The Philippines have many International Airports that are connecting the islands between them and to the rest of the world.
Here is a list of the International Airports and the cities that are corresponding :
- Manila / Ninoy Aquino International Airport
- Cebu / Mactan-Cebu International Airport
- Davao / Francisco Bangoy International Airport
- Kalibo / Kalibo International Airport
- Iloilo / Iloilo International Airport
- Puerto Princesa / Puerto Princesa International Airport
- Angeles / Clark International Airport
- Zamboanga / Zamboanga International Airport
- General Santos / General Santos International Airport
- Laoag / Laoag International Airport
*Many Asian and International Airlines have chapel and daily flights landing in these airports.
Air freight transit times
Manila | Davao | Cebu | Batangas | Batangas | Batangas | Batangas | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hong Kong / Shenzhen | 2/3 days door to door | ||||||
Dalian | |||||||
Tianjin | |||||||
Qingdao | |||||||
Ningbo | |||||||
Shanghai | |||||||
Xiamen |
Air freight rates
The weight is not the only factor affecting the quotation. Naturally, the price will also depend on the service you require. A door-to-door service will obviously be more expensive than a door-to-airport.


*If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight of your box, the carrier will quote based on this weight. You can use online chargeable weight calculators to make it easier, now that you understand how it works.
WHY CHOOSE US ?
OUR ADVANTAGES
SINO Shipping, we understand perfectly the needs of our customers and establish a win-win collaboration with them.
“respect is earned. honesty is appreciated. trust is gained. loyalty is returned.”

Reactivity
Make a request and you will be contacted within 24 hours maximum
Competitiveness
We guarantee very competitive price, ask us and compare !
Dedicated customs service
Do not hesitate to contact us for customs or administratives information
Multilingual team
We speak English, French and Chinese to avoid any communication issues
Tailored service
Small or big shipment, we can manage every request
Reliability
We ensure and secure all our shipments, safety is our priority !
Recurrent questions regarding the shipping from China to PHILIPPINES
WHAT IS THE SHIPPING COST FROM CHINA TO PHILIPPINES?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SHIP FROM CHINA TO PHILIPPINES?
Average transit time by sea: 12 days Average transit time by airfreight: 2 days (daily direct flight) Express shipping door to door (10kg): 1 days
WHAT ARE THE BEST FREIGHT OPTIONS TO SEND GOOD FROM CHINA TO PHILIPPINES?
HOW MUCH TAX WILL I PAY FOR IMPORTING GOODS FROM CHINA TO PHILIPPINES?
Do customs open every package?
How do I avoid custom charges?
How can I reduce my shipping costs?
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