Hobbyists, Amazon shoppers, Balikbayans, rejoice! The Bureau of Customs just updated the value of non dutiable items at 10, 000 PHP and below as an administrative order. It has been already signed, approved, and will be implemented this October 25th 2016. You may read more about it here.
On 28 September, CAO No. 02-2016 (RE: IMPORTED GOODS WITH DE MINIMIS VALUE NOT SUBJECT TO DUTIES AND TAXES) was signed by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and approved by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
It implements Section 423 of the CMTA, which provides that “No duties and taxes shall be collected on goods with freight on board (FOB) or free carrier (FCA) value of P10,000.00 or below.”
It is as it is read. No duties and taxes shall be collected, or imposed on imported goods. These so called goods with values amounting equal to, or less than 10, 000 PHP are subjected to be exempted and are entitled to be released as soon as possible. This is a huge update to the notoriously old Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines whereas items with 10 PHP value and below are only exempted.
Now for us folks that shops, and receives items from abroad on a monthly basis, this is really a heaven sent piece of good news. There’s practically no reason to devalue your items from here on out. With it we also highly suggest that you input the necessary value of your items from now on to avoid issues. What’s not to like?
Long overdue. Guess the a holes in customs got rich enough doing nothing but stealing from from hardworking poor people. scumbags.
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Does this 10 k means including the shipping fee ?
Example item coat $ 130 plus $ 76 shipping.
Yes Randy, it should exclude the shipping cost.
Are precious stones like amethyst and moissanite included? Thx
I’m not quite sure if it is included at the de minimis law, but precious stones are not listed – nor exempted to such rule.
if the item is discounted does it count the original price or the discounted price? please correct me if i’m wrong the 10k means they will not look at the item + ems shipping price, only the price of the goods?
For that one, I believe you have to show the proof of purchase. I.E. an electronic receipt that shows it is indeed bought at a discounted price.
Does the 10k means that even if im buying 100 pcs from alibaba that’s worth 2,000 PHP , I’m still exempted from duties and taxes?
Yes, that should be the case :)
Have you bought already? How did it go? Did they taxed you or not? I’m also planning to buy bulk items on Alibaba. Tnx.
Does this exemption also relate to imported items carried in baggage at airport entry.
It does. Better not to disclose anything out of ordinary though.
what is taxable in exceeding 10K.. is it the excess amount only or the entire cost?
i have a shipment from young living,it contains essential oils ang a diffuser,it costs 160 dollars..why are they charging me 2,808 pesos when my shioments costs below 10,000 pesos?
Shouldn’t be the case. Point them out the prices or provide the official receipt of your purchases. That should do it.
below 10k every month?
I have a question. What if I bought 3 different items and then packed in one box and cost me more than 10,000. Does it mean I have to pay for the taxes?
Hi! If you declared their total value and it is worth over 10,000 then you ought to pay for the taxes.
Imported books are tax and duty-free according to the Unesco florence agreement. What if I order and import different books with the total amount of 16000. Is that package subject to tax? or the Florence Agreement still applies on this case?
Hi Kate,
If that is the case you have to make sure that your orders are for personal use alone. Make sure that it reflects on your oders too. I.E. the amount of copies if there are such.
Yes, those books are for personal use only. So I don’t need to pay for tax and duty right, since it’s all books plus 3 souvenir items. Should I pay tax for the items that are not books, since I exceeded the 10k minimis? Thanks for your help.
Im planning to buy a gate swing opener which cost 9800php and shipping cost 3800php, do they include the shipping (9800+3800) in the nax 10000php excemption?
It shouldn’t be included. Make sure to have the receipt ready though if questioned.
Hi, i received package frm malaysia worth rm400 or about 5,000 pesos and when i claim at airport post office i paid 112 pesos for philpost fee and custom fee amounted to 265 pesos (15 for tax, 250 for cds). I thought it is tax exempt?
The Philpost fee is expected and there’s still an import duty. Also, if that package contained any items out of the de minimis rule, it shall be taxed.
Hi, I am planning to purchase a pc part from aliexpress worth 20k for personal use. How much is the possible tax charge?
You may use this web app from BOC. https://customs.gov.ph/boc_tax_calc_informal.php
Hello Sir Leo, if I purchase gaming chair worth 5k in aliexpress, I would not pay tax right? Just the 112 pesos in claiming it from post office? Is this correct? Thank you.
That is 100% correct. Bought a few sub 200 USD items from AliExpress just last year and I never had any issue. Just make sure it wont exceed 10K + shipping.
Hello, I saw someone comment here with the exact question as mine but with different answers. So I would like to make sure. Does the 10k value include the shipping fee? Like if I purchased something worth 9k and the shipping fee is 2k, does that mean I have to pay for taxes? Also, what amount does the 50% luxury tax take into effect?
yes, please clarify the shipment cost. Is it included or not?
The shipping cost shouldn’t be included. Tested this myself when I bought something from Japan worth around 9.5K. The item has a shipping cost of about 1K.
Hi, what do they mean by commercial quantity? or how much is commercial quantity?
Im planning to order teas in UK worth less than 5k but its 9 items in total will I be taxed?
thanks.
Commercial quantity is usually referred to as more than 12 quantities of items of the same model.
how many is considered commercial quantity? I cant answers online.
I have ordered 18 pieces offunko pops in australia with a total value of less than ten thousand pesos. Do i have to pay tax?
Hi I wanna buy a figure from japan which costs 16500 yen or 7590 php plus shipping 2700 yen or 1242 php. Do I have to pay tax for this one?
Thank you
That’s below 9,000 Pesos in total so you don’t have to pay for the tax.
Hi i just want to ask,
I ordered something from the Netherlands which is approximately around P19,000 in value. What is the rate used to compute for the tax?
Also, will it be computed on the excess of 10,000 or is it computed based on the whole amount of 19,000
It is computed based on the whole amount. That includes shipping, insurance, etc. As for the rate, it should be 12%.
Sir For the 10k for example i bought 3 pairs of shoes total 200 dollars convert to peso worth 10k pesos i will pay the only the 112 pesos in post office and is this per transaction? Like in the next week i bought again worth 200 dollars? Then ship to phil?
Add the shipping cost bro. Pag lumagpas total mo sa 200USD due to shipping+item value may extra ka padin babayaran over the post office fee.
I’m quite confused. Is the 10k value does include the shipping fee? Or is it the price of the item alone?
Any info is appreciated.
The 10K value should include the shipping fee.
Does the 10k include the shipping fee of the item??
Hi!
I ordered from Alibaba fancy jewelries worth 13,8USD and express shipping 50USD.
My package arrived and is hold for customs, they asked for my proof of payment.
Now they are asking me to pay VAT + Excise taxes worth 1500 PHP.
But my items + shipping is obviously below 10K. Am I wrong or are they wrong. I don”t get it..
At best, you should only pay about 3% of your jewelries. Seems like they just totaled everything up and added the VAT to settle at that figure.
I bought 2 items each worth P9000 inc shipping. I shipped them in 2 different packages so 2 different boxes and 2 tracking info. When custom receives it, will they treat it as 1 package? thanks
Don’t worry, they wont treat it as one package.
can i ask if quantity is criteria also on Taxes even if i will not getting 10k total. example 50 bottles of condiment spice jar from china (alibaba) the price for that is 35$ for the 50 condiments jar. shipping will cost 42$. so would pay Duties and Taxes if arrived here if by express shipping UPS?
Does this also apply for when I use DHL kr Fedex for shipping my items? Won’t they also charge me tax for using these couriers as long as it is under P10,000?
Another question. Base cost of item is P9,000 and shipping is P2,000. Will it be based on the base cost of the item or will the shipping cost be included? Because, you said in the past questions that it is only applied for the base cost of the item, no shipping included. But in your recent answers you say that if you add the shipping cost and it makes more than P10,000 tax is applied. I need a clear answer.
Hi Armer, technically you wont get charged if your item’s price is under 10K regardless of shipping cost.
However… certain couriers/delivery services uses the total cost (including shipping) instead of the item price alone.
If you want to make sure that you wont get taxed, use DHL and UPS. Avoid EMS if the combined cost of item + shipping is more than 10K.
P.S. My recent answers are based on my personal experiences.
Have a question. Read something in the comments regarding commercial quantity, does that mean I will be taxed even if the package is less than 10k but have more than 12 items of the same kind. Say 20 bottles or 20 sheets.
According to the BOC, a good rule of thumb is not more than 20 items of each kind for consummable goods and not more than 5 items of each kind for non-consummable goods.
Better use a forwarder for such.
Good thing i saw this post. If i order from aliexpress bike parts under 10K pesos is it included in this CAO? Thanks!
Should be fine. Make sure to ask for a separate invoice from the seller (one without the shipping fee attached). BOC agents kept asking for one if FEDEX is used as a courier.
Bike parts din madalas binibili ko sa AliExpress :)
It will be my first time to buy in ebay. Amounting less than 10k PHP. Is it door to door? Or I will go to the postoffice(how will I know if when I will go there?)
It depends on the seller but if it is sent via USPS, it is via the post office.
Hello po. Kapag po ba 2 box nasa worth 9k each box po. Inorder ko po magkaibang araw baka lang po kasi magsabay sa custom kasi may delay po ata. May tax po ba? Salamat po
Same question, 2 waybills. combined value is more than 10k. arrived at customs on the same day. will it be taxed?
It shouldn’t be taxed if tehre are 2 waybills vs a single one.
i ordered items from different sellers both package arrived at almost the same time.. package #1 costs around 8k while package #2 costs 4k.. will i be taxed?
Your orders wont get taxed. :)
Hi, sorry you’ve been probably asked again and again but just wanted to clarify. I’m planning to buy something that costs 180 USD (DDP) but shipping is 25 USD. It’s going to be shipped via DHL. Do you think there’s a chance I might get taxed since the total is 205 USD?
Should be all good :)
Hi!
May I ask if we have the right to contest the computation of customs broker? What if they miscalculated the Duties and Taxes?
Thank you!
You have the right to do so but I’ve tried this – only worked twice. Good luck!
Thank you for this info!
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Bought an item from Japan for 7k but srp here is 12-15k, invoice is complete in the box still DHL called me for the proof of purchase. Tss
– no tax payed hehe
I have a package sent by a friend from Korea and the amount declare is 250usd just want to know how much it i will pay in the customs coz probably its more than 10k.thanks
Hi Sir Leo, what is the best and cheapest shipping courier for phil? and what is the best payment method? Thank you
Best and cheap doesn’t mix well. Best would be UPS as far as my experience is concerned then DHL follows suit. Payment method I use with online shopping is Paypal and if that is not available, CC is the way to go.
If you wanna go cheap but you’re willing to wait, EMS is a good option. EMS from Taiwan and JP are just as fast as FEDEX – at least right now.
Why is DHL Express charging me duties and taxes if my package costs below 10k? Are they excluded from this rule? Thanks
Hello, I backread most of the things people are asking and I know that the cost under P10,000 excluding shipping and handling should be exempt from Import Fees and Taxes, My total is 199.12 USDS well below P10,000. But the thing is I divided my orders into two; one total of 199.12 USDS, and the other 99.97USDS from another seller of the same country (US), both will be delivered under my name with the same address, with the same courier as well. It’s just a separate order, but different merchant. I was wondering will Customs hold my 2 separate packages since they’re over P10,000? Or will they ignore it since they’re 2 separate orders under P10,000? Thanks so much!
Hi! They should ignore both in a more optimistic situation. What could happen here though realistically is… They could ignore the 99.97 USD item but they will most likely try to put a tax on your 199.12 USD item. They could do it via adding the shipping rate and their own exchange rate.
That’s robbery in broad day light but don’t lose hope yet. Just be ready when it happens.
hi!
my items is worth 10.2k php. wil the whole 10.2 be taxed or just the excess?
thanks!
The whole, I’m afraid.
Hi the total value of my package is 28k, which composed of a smart watch, bag, shoes, and earphones. I’m just confused as to what Tariff or Rate of Duty will they use to compute for the customs duty. Since the bag has a 15% rate, watch is 5%, and the earphones is 0%. Will they compute per item or as the total value? Thanks.
The only item in excess of the 10k is the smart watch, the rest are below 10k. So I was wondering how they will tax me given these conditions.
Hi I order online on my name Amounting to 7000 pesos and my Friend also order With his name Amouting to 7000 also he asked me if he can use my card and address. Will I be Taxed? (different name and Order No.) (Same Card used and Shipping Address)
Thank you very much!
Same Merchant
Hi i ordered a shoe amounting to 7000 and my friend also ordered the same shoe worth also 7000, we used the same address and payment method ( i also paid for his order cause he gave me money)(billing address) but different order no. since we have different accounts and also different names. We ordered in same Merchant. Im asking if I will get taxed? Thank you!!
Hi, you shouldn’t get taxed if that is the case.
Hi just want to ask, so how much would it cost me if I buy a 30k worth of bike frame from aliexpress? libo po ba aabutin ng fee pag dating dito? Thank you po.
Hi! May computation tax si BoC for that na you could use here: https://customs.gov.ph/boc_tax_calc_informal.php
I have a package from abroad. And the agent here in Phil. Asking me to pay 10k for the local charge is this legit or what? Its a door to door delivery
Hi! You should ask for the documents. Ask for the breakdown of the import duty so you could check if it really is fishy or not.
I ordered a trimmer from a website called Fruggo.ph. the item was shipped from UK. Now i got a notice from Central Post of philippines NIA road diliman. not sure if it is the same parcel which has arrived from UK. also the item cost is just 1800 peso. so I want to know how much will I have to pay in this case. plz help as I`m a foreigner in Manila.
If it’s the trimmer then all you have to pay is approximately around ~112 PHP for the postal fee.
Hello! Dadaan pa ba sa BOS ang parcel ko if below 10k? Di kasi nagappear sa tracking na napunta yung parcel sa BOS.
Do you mean BOC? If so usually lalabas dapat yun sa tracking – even sa EMS. Also, 100% dadaan ng BOC lahat ng parcels for inspection regardless of value.
Hi i bought 14 pieces of pokemon plushies from JAPAN.. Its worth less than P10,000.. will BoC still tax me??
They could look into it since that’s already commercial quantity.
Magandang araw po 😊 i know and nabasa ko na din sagot sa tanong ko.. pero itatanong ko pa din po.. may bibilhin po ksi akong shoes sa canada 6 pairs, 2 kinds in 3 pairs po.. EMS po ang shipping option,
item value is around Php 9,500 hindi pa kasama ang shipping cost na 2,400 +.. is it taxable po ba?, salamat po sa inyo sir Leo.. at pasensya na sa abala.. 😊
Technically wala ka dapat babayaran. Magiging problem lang dito yung mga nag i-inspection na isasama yung total cost (item value + shipping) sa computation. Let’s hope for the best.
I just want to ask something. I order something from a japan site. Total price of the items is equal to 19,500 yen (8,907php). The Shipping fee by DHL express quoted is at 3,090 yen (1411.46php). Will I get taxed for the whole amount since with the Shipping fee, it’s more than 10,000php?
Hii may order ako galing china car accesorry. 8k total then 4k shipping fee. Taxable po ba sya? Thru dhl po
Just recently got my item from China. DHL HK yung courier. Item totals at more than 10K (plus shipping). Got exempted, but there are cases where na-tax padin yung iba – especially motor parts. I could only hope na lumusot yung sayo.
i ordered 25 items total is 9.9k, do i have to pay tax po??
Hi I ordered 2 pairs of sandals in Alibaba the total amount is 1.5k peso only including s sf. But why the fed Ex courier ask me to pay 576.80 for duties and taxes and local charges? I thought 10k below excemted to the charge. Enlighten me pls. Thank you.
Hi! That’s basically FedEx’s storage fee. It’s a mandatory with their service.
Hello, I am planning to buy something from aliexpress with the value of P8000 pesos, but the shipping fee is P4000 pesos so the total amount is P12000. I have read above that it is hit or miss whether they’ll exempt you for taxes or not since the the total exceeds P10000, even though the value of the item itself is below that. Do you have any tips, suggested couriers and etc. to increase my chances of not being charged?
You may ask the seller to lower the value of the item indicated on the invoice so the total would be below 10K including shipping.
I read comments that says individual products that are below 10k php are not taxed, is it correct? Because I ordered abroad an 6 items with a $40 price. The subtotal of my order was $240 + $50(shipping). Will it be taxed?
It will be taxed if you ordered the individual items but had them shipped in a single package.
Thx for replying, do you have any idea how much I’ll be paying once my package arrive?
Add a flat rate of 500PHP if it has been shipped via FedEx. Then you may use this formula for approximation:
Duty Tax = 15% x Total w/ shipping
VAT = 12% x (Total w/ shipping + Duty Tax)
Import Tax & Custom Fees = Duty Tax + VAT
In my case some courrier charges hefty handling and storage fee.
Thanks sir Leo, dko na lang tinuloy katakot ma tax ng mga Crocs sa Bureau, maliit na nga lang kikitain lulugihin pa dahil parang wala silang standard sa taxation, EMS /Canada Post, d ko kasi maibigay tiwala nakakalungkot na katotohanan sa Govt. naten, unlike DHL, UPS, FEDEX mejo malinaw sila sa guidelines tho Dumadaan din nmn syempre sa proseso sa Customs.. ewan ko ba.. sariling batas naten dko alam kung mahirap bang unawain dahil sa mga teknikal na salita na d nmn lahat kayang unawain. ang daming Gray area..
Salamat ng madami sir Leo sa oras at manatili kayong ligtas, God Bless..
Will I get taxed if I ordered multiple packages are lower than Php10k in a month or a year? They are shipped individually.
This is a tricky question but technically if they are not shipped on the same day, nor received at customs at the same day, i.e., not by batch – there’s nothing to worry about. Even so, there’s no need to worry unless they specifically flagged you as someone deliberately playing around the rules for profit.
Good day! May question lang po ako, what if i have two different parcels (with different invoice and tracking no.). one is around 9k while the other is around 6k, same day nagarrive and from same merchant will i be taxed?? may nagtanong na po nito kaso different merchant.. Thanks for the reply
Hello, my sister is sending me a two used ipad and she declare it as used and a box of instant ramen. My sister declared the 2 ipads for 10 thousand yen and she pay 14,000 yen all and all including the shipment through EMS. So this means I am exempted, right? Salamat po sa reply.
For balikbayan boxes, that should be exempted.
Hello, nagbabalak ako bumili ng manga (jp comic books), around 130 volumes second hand for my collection priced at php 3900 (8700yen) and php 3400 (7600yen) —- all from amazon.jp delivered by FEDEX thru proxies. Is it possible na ma-tax ako dahil sa dami ng items ko? eventhough murang item lang sila.
I don’t see any reason for them for taxation – unless it’s the same issue/chapters.
Hi! My friend is sending me a large collection of paint brushes and it is worth around $2,300 USD. The weighs only 6 lbs. He will be sending it through FedEx (door to door). Will the BOC hold my item and charge me of duties and taxes? Those brushes are just a gift for me.
Hello, Im currently using proxy buyer. Ang price po ng item ko is 9000 yen (₱ 4500) + 3700 yen proxy fee (₱ 1660) + 11000 yen shipping (₱ 5500) so lahat ng gastos ko is over 10k but madali naman kausap yung proxy and not included yung shipping fee and proxy fee sa invoice, only the 9000 yen. Pwede rin daw iedit yung mismong price ng bawat items na inorder pero baka hanapan ako ng receipt kaya di ko na ginalaw. Eto lang po tanong ko, hahanapin pa ba ng custom yung shipping fees and other fees ko? Since kapag hinanapan ako surely lalagpas sa 10k yung total ko and matataxed yung order ko. Fedex po ang courier ko. Thank you po.
The items I ordered only totaled 7,800 pesos. Pero plus shipping, umabot siya ng 8,062. Nag-email ako sa BOC-NAIA with the receipt as proof na di 10k worth items ko pero papadalan pa rin daw nila ko ng BC Form 116 “which detailed the assessment od DT due to the govt.” daw. Mukang kailangan nila makareach ng quota ngayon na malapit ng magpasko.
Hi, need help! We ordered at H&M app, we bought discounted items worth ₱4,350. Customs calculated our d&t, and said that discounted items are counted as its original price which is ₱11,965. They are taxing us ₱4,937.87. We’re hesitant to pay for the tax because for us we only paid ₱4,350 not ₱11,965.
They should calculate the tax based on the checkout price + shipping. You have to show them the receipt.
I recently purchased 10,197 pesos sa iherb. May sobra lang po na 197 pesos. Magtatax parin po kaya sila?
Most likely, it will get taxed. 10K po talaga maximum value ng non-taxable items.
Hi, I ordered a shoe from GOAT App, subtotal is $180 and shipping cost is $40 with a total of $220, GOAT commonly uses DHL or UPS as their courier here in the Philippines, is the items already subject to tax? If its not taxable and they insisted on asking for additional payment for tax, is there anything I can do to prevent my item from being taxxed? thanks
Does EMS requires extra payment on delivery ? It is supposed to be Door to Door service. I.e. the postage retrieval fee?
A few years ago, EMS is able to do door-to-door service nationwide. Not sure if this is still the case but on my area, you have to pick your package at the post office regardless of size. Fee is around 125 PHP.
Good day po. Ask ko lang po kung kailangan po ba ilista ang lahat ng items at price sa labas ng box na ipapadala sa Pinas? Thank you in advance po. God bless
As far as I know, hindi naman po kailangan – kahit Balikbayan boxes.
Good day!
What if i have two different parcels (with different invoice and tracking no.). one is around 8k while the other is around 6k, same day nagarrive and from same merchant will i be taxed?
Thank you.
No worries there, unless the total (+shipping) per parcel is well over worth 10,000 Pesos.
My item is worth ₱7,682.01 from Japan. Shipping is ₱3,812.9 with a total of ₱11,667.41. My choices are Fedex (₱3,812.98) and DHL (₱9,679.17). I absolutely want to choose Fedex as it is cheaper while DHL is even more than the item I purchased. You mentioned that if I use DHL, they will not be taxing me based on your experience. Will i get taxed using Fedex?
You will, most likely even with DHL. The only consistent store + shipping service to use right now is Amazon to be honest. Try to use forwarders too.
P.S. I’m doing a new guide since I’ve tested FedEx, DHL, UPS, USPS and EMS for this quarter alone and results were mostly negative. Will update yah guys once I’ve published it.
Meron ako Item galing sa japan anime figures, pero wala silang invoices dahil second hand lang, tao tao lang napag bilhan, pero around 6k lang naman nagastos ko, pero wala lng ako receipt? tapos 4 pieces na anime figures yun, bubuksan ba nila package ng EMS mo pag nsa custom?
Okie lang ba mag padala gamit EMS, same sender, same address, same receiver, multiple times a month? yung gf ko kasi nag papadala ng figures from japan, usually 2 to 5 figures lang naman per box, balak ko sana once na mareceive ko na yung unang box, isesend nya yung another box, pero lahat naman ng box is under 10,000 pesos, pero ndi sila sabay sabay dadating sa pinas