Philippines

The following items are prohibited from importation, meaning they won't be allowed to enter the destination country, territory or region.

To check which items are considered dangerous and prohibited for sending from Australia, download our Prohibited and Restricted item list and packaging guide (1.1MB).

• Abortion-procurement items
• Coffee
• Copyright infringements
• Currency, counterfeit
• Firearms and firearm parts
• Foodstuffs, adulterated
• Fragile articles
• Games of chance of any type
• Illicit drugs
• Liqueurs and spirits
• Liquids or liquefiable elements
• Lottery tickets and advertising
• Medicines, adulterated
• Narcotic drugs
• Psychotropic substances
• Replicas of weapons
• Seditious materials
• Toys and toys resembling weapons

Other prohibitions

The postal administration of the Philippines reserves the right not to accept any kind of letter post (ordinary, registered or insured) containing coins, currency notes or securities of any kind payable to the bearer, travellers cheques, platinum, gold or silver, whether manufactures or not, precious stones or other valuable articles.

Transporting food of any kind, cash and perfumes are prohibited under International Courier.

Batteries

All types of batteries and devices containing them (e.g. laptops, mobile phones, wireless headphones and equivalent, power banks, tablets, etc.) are prohibited from being sent via International Courier.

Medications

All types of medications are prohibited from being sent via International Courier:

• Non doctor prescribed e.g. Panadol
• Pharmacy only e.g. labelled with pharmacy and recipient name
• Doctor prescribed e.g. asthma puffer, insulin tablets/needle, heart medications
• Controlled/illegal e.g. Morphine, Methadone, Hemp Seed Oil, Cannabinoids

If an item is subject to import restrictions, it means that provisions must be met before it will be released from customs in the destination country, territory or region.

We recommend you confirm import restrictions with local authorities before posting:

Philippines requires an import permit for many goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Senders should determine import restrictions before posting contraceptives, plants (or parts of plants), or silkworms and eggs.

Please note the following restrictions for International Standard articles being carried by the EMS network:

• Ammunition
• Animals
• Antiques
• Asbestos
• Bees
• Biological substances
• Bullion
• Coins
• Counterfeit
• Currency
• Fur
• Human ashes
• Human remains
• Ivory
• Jewellery
• Leeches
• Live
• Narcotics
• Perfumery
• Perfume
• Perishable
• Pornography
• Precious metals
• Precious stones
• Silkworms
• Watches (only if over $150.00)
• Weapons

In addition to our customs forms, authorities in the destination country, territory or region require further documentation for some items.

Commercial goods require an invoice. Commercial goods exceeding 3000 pesos require an invoice endorsed by a Philippines consul. Insert one copy of the invoice in the article and attach another to its face. Attach a copy of any relevant letter of credit if the value exceeds $US1000.

Before sending to this destination, it’s worth noting a few more details about our international delivery services.

• International Express and International Standard (carried via the EMS network) - Parcels delivers only to the places shown
  International Express and International Standard - Parcels does not deliver to a Post Office Box however does deliver to Poste Restante (counter mail delivery). Senders of commercial goods must observe the invoice requirements in Special Documentation.

Please note: All estimated delivery times refer to metro areas only. PHL Post consider “Metro Manila” - their capital city - the only ‘Major metro area’ as per our calculator. PHL Post have no express mail stream outside of Manila and all items travelling between islands are carried via their regional ferry service. This, as a standard, adds a further 10+ business days on all items addressed outside the Metro Manila area.

• Sealing of letters
  
  Letters sealed with adhesive tape must bear the postmark of the office of posting and the signature of the sender on the tape.
• International Courier
  
  Check our International Courier page for more details.
  
  Shipments must be lodged at the counter at a participating Post Office (PDF 832kB) by the cut-off time, which may vary by outlet. Please fill out the online CN23 customs form prior to visiting the outlet.
  
  International Courier does not deliver to a Post Office Box or Poste Restante.
  
  Metropolitan delivery to (valid postcodes in brackets):
  • Manilla (0400 to 1820)
  • Cebu City (6000)

For more information from the overseas carrier, check the PHLPost website.