Bringing Regulated Items for Personal Use Into the Philippines
Wondering if you can bring your personal items on your visit to the Philippines? Definitely, you can. Tourists visiting the Philippines are allowed to bring personal items into the country as long as they are not in commercial quantities. As a rule of the thumb, the number of items must only be enough for your own personal use during your entire stay in the country. You need to declare them and pay for customs duties if it goes beyond the limit.
Here are some guidelines on what you can bring into the Philippines on your next visit.
What Duty-Free Items Can Foreigners Bring 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 carry up to PHP 500, 000 or USD 10,000 in cash. Beyond this amount requires you to provide a written declaration, which can be downloaded from the foreign currency and other FX-Denominated bearer monetary instruments Declaration Form.
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.
Can Tourists Bring Drones into the Philippines?
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.
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• Pack your drone battery separately.
• Most airlines have battery voltage limits not exceeding 160 watt-hour (Wh). So, always check your drone battery specification.
• Only 1 drone is allowed per person.
• The weight of your drone should not go beyond the airline’s weight limit for hand-carry baggage allowance. -
• The drone battery must be removed. Place your drone into the checked-in baggage, while its battery must be packed inside your carry-on bag.
• Drones are quite fragile. Buy an appropriate traveling drone case, or pack your drone accordingly to avoid damaging it.
• Do not forget to remove the remote control battery, and place it in your carry-on baggage.
It pays to check your chosen airline’s baggage policy section and packing guidelines before your trip. Here’s a kicker! You don’t have to spoil your chance to capture or record your day tour adventures in the Philippines. Grab your drone as you tour this spectacular archipelago.
Visit and discover the most popular destinations in the Philippines, and find out why the Philippines is renowned as one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
What are the General Rules for Flying a Drone in the Philippines
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.
What are the Rules for Bringing Power Banks in the Philippines by Plane?
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. But, power banks that are less than 20,000 mAh are allowed as carry-on luggage.
Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries - limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery
Lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries - limited to a rating of 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery
With the airline approval, a passenger can carry up to 2 spare larger lithium-ion batteries at 101 to 160 watt-hours (Wh). It helps to check on the airline policy on their website to avoid travel inconvenience.
SUMMARY: Bringing Regulated Items for Personal Use Into the Philippines
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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