Custom duties when you get to Manila airport

[angel1231]

Any one who went to the Philippines bringing electronics good?do I need to declare it At the custom officials?

[angel1231]

Hello again ,im going home by the end of the month but im worried about the costum in the philippines as im bringing lots of electronics goods some are for my family back home ,like 3 ipod toch, 2 iphone 2 mobile phones, 2 laptops,1 ipad and my cousin is asking me to take galaxy tab for his wife backhome .
Is any one can advice me on what to do as im worried about bringing all those stuff as i know in the philippines some are very mukhang pera.all those are gifts and some is for my personal use .
i would be very greatful if any would reply on my post thank you.

[subseastu]

Don't know if this is right but personally I'd keep quiet and just go through. If you get stopped just say the items are for your own use. I can't see it being a problem. I think its more a issue if your bring in large sums of cash.

[belfast_dude]

the second time i went to manila..i took over a 320gb hard drive media player full of music and tv shows...and was bricking it all the way over...going through customs..i got lucky...i did declare it..but the custom offical was a little old lady..and i told her i had something for a comp...she asked..a laptop?...i said no just a comp part..and she waved me through...with hindsight,,,,i would never bring it again...

[johncar54]

Don't know if this is right but personally I'd keep quiet and just go through. If you get stopped just say the items are for your own use. I can't see it being a problem. I think its more a issue if your bring in large sums of cash.

3 ipod toch, 2 iphone 2 mobile phones, 2 laptops,1 ipad

Own use !!!!!! Do you think the customs officers are really that stupid anywhere in the world ?

In UK if you take anything through customs which should be declared and you don't, then you can be fined, the items and anything you are carrying them in can be confiscated too (suitcase, might be your car if say you are arriving on cross channel ferry).

I knew a guy who had cigars (a lot) in some really expensive suitcases, he lost the lot, was charged and appeared in court.

[tone]

I carried quite a bit of gear but as I recall the cstoms forms really want to know if you are bringing in things for commercial sale as opposed to personal use.
For example after xmas I was carrying two work laptops, an xbox 360 and all the bits that go with it, an iPad, 3 mobile phones and quite a bit of other stuff, I put my laptops on the forms and was asked if they were for sale - I said no they are work laptops, and was then told I should not have put them on, but waved me through.

I have a form here-
Question 5 asks:-

Are you bringing in Jewelries () electronic goods() and commercial merchandise () and/or samples purchased or aquired abroad.

So you could put down your use items or nout at all - but the last two trips i ticked nothing but then I was a visitor only.

HTH
Tone

[Dedworth]

3 ipod toch, 2 iphone 2 mobile phones, 2 laptops,1 ipad

Own use !!!!!! Do you think the customs officers are really that stupid anywhere in the world ?

Fully agree !

"Own use" mug response

That lot sounds like many hundreds of pounds worth. I'd think in tems of sending them out little by little when friends / workmates go back otherwise it could prove to be a very expensive holiday

[Tawi2]

Do you think the customs officers are really that stupid anywhere in the world ?

It IS manila customs officers we are talking about here werent they caught on CCTV openly allowing "Congressman" Ronald Singson to bypass customs checks as he was smuggling part of the Samal drug-drop cocaine out of pinas to Hong Kong,lawmakers and lawbreakers

[raynaputi]

i don't think they would stop you in the customs for that..as long as it's for personal use or gifts, it is allowed..and besides you are not bringing boxes of it...the customs are more concern with bulk items and big electronic stuffs like TVs, stereos and the like..i have friends and relatives overseas and they usually bring stuffs like you are bringing for their friends and families when they take vacation here.

[angel1231]

Thank you guys for all your reply.I'm traveling with my 5 years old daugther so I think I'll go for it and I will post again what will happen when I get to Manila airport wish me luck

[Englishman2010]

If you are pulled over at customs, you might struggle to justify why you need so many mp3 players and phones. If they are brand new and boxed it will also be a give away. I do take a fair amount of elctronic equipment with me and have taken some surplus laptops, phones ...etc over for my g/f but it has all been my own equipment which is no longer required.

Incidentally, I do sometimes carry in my hand baggage or case, 2 laptops, 2 phones, 2 or 3 cameras and camera equipment, a HDD and countless flash drives. All of this is for personal or work use and I could prove it if I was asked to.

[stevewool]

sdo what happens then if the items , ipods phones and so on are for xmas gifts wrapped up but are second hand, are these allowed

[johncar54]

I don't know if this up to date but:-

From: http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/PH-P...ax-regulations

Philippines Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details

Customs Rules
Import regulations::

Free import:
1. all passengers (18 years of age and over) (duty free allowance only once per year per passenger):
a. 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grammes pipe tobacco;
b. 2 bottles alcoholic beverages of not more than 1 litre each;
2. once a year the following categories of passengers may bring in goods as specified below duty free:
a. returning residents who have stayed abroad more than 6 months:
used electronic or electrical appliances and personal effects up to the value of PHP 10,000.-;
b. contract workers:
used personal effects up to value of PHP 10,000.- and
used home appliances, limited to 1 of each kind, up to the value of PHP 10,000.-.

[stevewool]

thanks john

[angel1231]

Hello guys I'm home and enjoying my vacation here in the Philippines just want to say that when I post here and asking for your opinion about carrying to much gadgets on your luggage well i'm happy to say that I get through the customs official without getting into trouble my daughter is a big + too . Just incase you bring some too just give them a big

[stevewool]

well i shall have to pratise my smile or let emma carry all the goodies