Did you know that 85.7% of internet users in the Philippines buy products through e-commerce applications?
And thanks to the nation’s growing middle class with higher spending intent and a growing young, tech-savvy population, there’s definitely market potential for cross-border e-commerce.
Today, Internet users in the Philippines order everything from smartphones to clothing and jewelry from the United States.
but to jump into the philippines market, it’s important to do your research early to avoid costly shipping and international shipping delays.
This guide provides information on how to ship a package from the USA. uu. to the philippines, plus tips on how ecommerce brands can better plan international shipping logistics with shipbob.
cost & delivery speeds for shipping to philippines from usa uu.
Some sellers are willing to deliver products as quickly as possible, while others are more cost conscious and flexible when it comes to delivery times.
To optimize your shipping strategy, it is important to understand the different shipping options available from carriers. Below is a list of services offered by the four main operators.
We calculate the following rates using each operator’s pricing calculators for an example consisting of a £2 package in December 2021. Exact prices are subject to change.
Note: These are general options for consumer shipping orders. To find out what Shipbob offers when shipping to other countries like the Philippines, request a quote here.
Exact shipbob rates for customers will vary, as we charge a “total fulfillment cost” which includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.
*usps prices here reflect flat rate box shipping prices.
how to choose a carrier
whether you’re shipping small or large packages from the usa. uu. To the Philippines, it is important to identify the best carriers that can reliably ship to buyers.
On that note, here is a list of the benefits and drawbacks of the top four international carriers to help you make an informed decision:
carriers
advantages
cons
- reference transport for affordable shipments
- perfect for sending heavy packages thanks to its flat rate service
- has convenient delivery points throughout the country
- offers non-stop package delivery every day of the week
- delivery times are not always met
- not ideal for fragile items as packages tend to be handled carelessly during transit
- inaccurate tracking of the last mile
- allows real-time tracking of shipments
- merchants can speak to fedex customer service agents for free
- allows one customs clearance fast
- shipping every day, including saturday and sunday
- pickup service is available for a fee only
- less delivery locations in the us. uu. compared to ups and usps
- offers free customs clearance assistance and efficient last mile tracking
- the vast physical space in the us. uu. facilitates package delivery
- high shipping rates, especially for large packages
- pick-up fee applies
- surcharges and other additional fees apply
- excellent for international shipping as dhl has a strong international focus
- offers environmentally friendly shipping
- insured international shipping
- no collection fees
- offers door-to-door service and optional customs brokerage
- dhl has limited delivery locations in the us. USA
- high shipping costs and surcharges
shipping to the philippines from the united states with usps
usps ships to over 190 international destinations, including the philippines, with some of the lowest shipping rates.
global express guaranteed is the fastest and most expensive option offered by the carrier, while priority mail international is the slowest and most cost-effective option.
when to use usps to ship from the united states to the philippines
Whether you’re an online retailer or individual shopper, you need to consider package weight, size, fragility, urgency, and value when shipping overseas. If you’re looking for an option that balances carrier service and affordability, choose USPS Priority Mail Express International which delivers to the Philippines in 3-5 business days.
shipping to the philippines from the united states with ups
Depending on the type of package, you have many different international shipping options to choose from, shipping to the Philippines within 1-3 business days.
The carrier also offers value-added services such as package pickup, flat-rate pricing, returns, and shipment clearance.
when to use ups to ship from the united states to the philippines
ups is a very reliable shipping partner. offers free customs assistance which can be very helpful once your products reach the philippines. With UPS, you get the fastest shipping option through Worldwide Saver.
shipping to the philippines from the united states with fedex
Fedex Corporation is a shipping company, founded in 1971. With its excellent package tracking feature, reliable shipping service, and free customer support, it is an excellent choice for those looking to ship products from the USA. uu. to the Philippines.
when to use fedex to ship from the united states to the philippines
Online merchants who want to enjoy the benefits of time-definite, customs clearance and door-to-door service to the Philippines can choose FedEx. The only drawback is that courier pickup is not free and there are fewer delivery locations in the US. uu. than in the other main transport companies.
shipping to the philippines from the united states with dhl
This German shipping company can be trusted to deliver your orders safely and on time to the Philippines. DHL also offers an environment of logistics services such as storage and distribution.
when to use dhl to ship from the united states to the philippines
dhl’s door-to-door service is great for businesses that want to ship to the philippines without the stress of delivery. Although its service is quite expensive, almost three times the costs charged by the other main operators, it is very reliable and friendly to the environment.
homework & taxes when shipping to the philippines from the usa uu.
You can easily ship goods worth up to PHP 10,000 to the Philippines without paying any taxes. but, for goods that are above this threshold value, the customs authorities impose a VAT of 12%.
In addition, you will also need to pay customs duties on imports into the Philippines. this is calculated as a percentage of the import cost, insurance and freight.
Don’t be surprised if the customs officer arbitrarily charges different tax rates for the same product. To avoid such a scenario, make sure you have receipts and documents on hand that show the actual value of the item.
here is a list of the average percentage collected by the philippines customs authorities as tax:
Note: Most foreigners and expatriates can enjoy a tax and duty exemption for personal items if they are permanent residents, in the Philippines for work, retired, etc. charged on products under $50.
You must also pay excise duties on certain items, such as alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, and perfume.
philippines customs information
The primary purpose of the Philippine Customs office is to prevent illegal goods from entering the country and to collect customs duties on certain items. That is why parcels entering the country from the United States must be declared and clearly indicate the content, quantity and purchase price.
but beware of tedious paperwork and delivery delays. this can extend customs clearance and last mile logistics from 3 weeks to 4 months.
To learn more about the country’s customs department, here is a link to their website.
prohibited items when shipping to the philippines
According to Philippine law, there are three categories of products that raise alarm when imported into the country:
- regulated imports: are items that can be imported only after obtaining the necessary permits or licenses. some examples include plant and animal products, drugs and chemicals, household appliances, and tobacco products.
- Restricted Imports: are goods that can be imported only when authorized by law. some examples include explosives and firearms, gaming machines and paraphernalia, and opium pipes or parts.
- Prohibited Imports: These are contraband goods that can never be legally imported into Philippines. Some examples are the following:
items you cannot ship to philippines from usa uu.
The list of prohibited and restricted items is subject to change, so be sure to check the latest Philippine customs regulations before shipping finished products.
what ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to the philippines
Ready to capture a piece of the wallet of customers in the Philippines?
Here are some market truths to keep in mind:
1. cater to discount seekers
Philippine people expect free shipping and big discounts. that’s why we recommend that you secure low-cost shipping from preferred carriers so that the cost savings can be passed on to the end customer.
2. offer flexible payment options
Did you know that most Filipinos still prefer to pay in cash, considering that less than 40% of the population have bank accounts?
That’s why you should choose carriers that allow payment options like cash on delivery or payment center options (such as 7/11 stores).
At the same time, you must take into account the risk of order cancellations or delivery refusals. Since the number of mobile wallet users reached around 25 million in 2020, you should also add it as an option to pay online.
3. take action against fraudulent practices
In the Philippines, fraud associated with cash on delivery is common. this reduces trust in online shopping. therefore, sellers need to educate Filipino consumers on how to spot and avoid these types of risky situations and the steps they have taken to protect their online transactions.
4. maintain sales during peak seasons
Most Filipinos shop during March, April, May, November and December when they receive salary bonuses. In these months it is recommended that your businesses offer sales and discounts to attract customers.
5.secure packages and offer tracking
Since many packages are lost or damaged in transit, it’s best to make your shipments traceable and insured. in this way, you will minimize trading losses.
let shipbob handle the complexity of global shipping
To offer customers around the world an extraordinary brand experience, consider partnering with an international 3pl like shipbob.
Selling internationally can be challenging, time consuming and expensive. But with shipbob, you have everything you need to serve customers around the world and save time on logistics.
Not only do we take care of the picking, packing and shipping of your orders to the Philippines, but we also offer upfront fulfillment costs including additional customs, duties and taxes.
By partnering with shipbob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfillment, logistics operations, and labor recruitment.
Working with shipbob can turn logistics and warehousing into a revenue generator because it can increase sales and offer the shipping options, transit times and delivery speeds that customers want.
The best part of partnering with shipbob is that you free up time to focus on more strategic initiatives like customer service and marketing.
“By distributing our inventory across these countries and regions, all of our customers can get their orders much faster while paying reasonable domestic shipping rates.
We want to continue to spread our brand internationally and are pleased that more of our customer base can get better shipping rates and delivery times. We are still a small operation, but with shipbob we can be a more global company.”
wes brown, chief operating officer at black claw llc
Are you ready to start shipping to the Philippines from the USA? u? start with shipbob.
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frequently asked questions about shipping to the philippines
Below are answers to the most common questions about shipping to the Philippines from the United States.