🇺🇸 United States vs 🇵🇭 Philippines
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇺🇸 United States | 🇵🇭 Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) | Bureau of Customs (BOC) |
| VAT / GST | n/a | 12% |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 800 | USD 200 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 10000 | USD 10000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 1 | 2 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 200 | 400 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 800 | USD 200 |
| Prohibited categories | Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Obscene material; Products made with forced or child labor; Endangered species products (CITES) | Dangerous drugs and controlled substances; Pornographic material; Counterfeit goods; Seditious and treasonous materials; Toy guns resembling real firearms (subject to restrictions) |
| Restricted categories | Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses); Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required); Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities); Prescription medications (personal-use quantities only); Alcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities) | Firearms and ammunition (PNP Firearms and Explosives Office permit required); Medicines and controlled substances (FDA Philippines clearance required); Food products (FDA registration required); Plants and animals (Bureau of Plant Industry or Bureau of Animal Industry permit); Gambling devices |
| Known scams | Fake ESTA submission websites that charge inflated fees ($50-$100 instead of the official US$21). Always use the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain. • Phishing 'CBP refund' emails or texts claiming a customs payment is owed. CBP does not collect duty by email link. Verify any notice through the official portal. | Fake eTravel Pass clone domains charging fees. The real portal is etravel.gov.ph and is free. • NAIA 'laglag-bala' (planted-bullet) extortion schemes targeted travelers 2015-2017; improved monitoring and CCTV largely eliminated this by 2018, but keep all checked bags tightly zipped and photographed before check-in. |
Detailed pages: United States • Philippines
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