Philippines
Check our destination guide for postal restrictions and requirements
Prohibitions
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 dangerous goods guide (1.2MB).
- Abortion-procurement items
- Coffee
- Copyright infringements
- Currency, counterfeit
- Firearms and firearm parts
- Foodstuffs, adulterated
- Fragile articles
- Games of chance of any type
- Liqueurs and spirits
- Liquids or liquefiable elements
- Lottery tickets and advertising
- Medicines, adulterated
- 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 is prohibited under International Courier.
Lithium batteries
Lithium batteries and devices containing them are prohibited from being sent via International Courier services.
Import restrictions
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
Okay to send? Send responsibly.
As the sender, it's your responsibility to make sure your items don't break any laws or rules – both within Australia and in the destination country.
Restrictions and conditions can change at short notice so the information on this page should be used as a guide only. For the latest information, you should check the UPU prohibitions & restrictions (PDF 7.2MB) or contact the destination country's customs, postal trade or government authority.
It's also your responsibility to check if the destination country imposes any duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees on the item you're sending. If you're unsure, please contact the consulate office of the destination country.
Special documentation
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.
Delivery locations & exclusions
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. Senders of commercial goods must observe the invoice requirements in Special Documentation.
| Zip code | Location |
|---|---|
| 5314 | Location Busuaga, Palawan |
| 5314 | Location Linapacan, Palawan |
| 5316 | Location Coron, Palawan |
| 5111 | Location Looc, Mindoro Occidenta |
| 5315 | Location Culion, Palawan |
| 5110 | Location Tilik, Mindoro Occidental |
| 5313 | Location El Nido (Baquit), Palawan |
International Express and International Standard - Parcels do not deliver to a Post Office Box but do deliver to Poste Restante (counter mail delivery). Senders of commercial goods must observe the invoice requirements in Special Documentation.
- 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 to find a participating Post Office.
Shipments must be lodged at the counter by 2pm for two business day delivery (excluding time with border agencies). Maximum shipment size is 50x50x50 cm.
International Courier Declaration and DHL Airway Bill forms, available at participating retail centres, need to be filled out by hand and attached to the shipment (instructions available in-store). For Customs declarations, articles may not be declared as containing "Personal effects".
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.
Make sure it's safe to send
Some items are considered dangerous and unsuitable for sending from Australia, even if they’re not prohibited by the destination country.
