Body Armour → Philippines

Body Armour import prohibited

Details

Body Armour import prohibited. Enforcement in Philippines carries fines from PHP 100,000 to PHP 10,000,000 under Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165); CMTA s.1401 (smuggling). Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Bureau of Customs (BOC); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Philippines with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Philippines above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Philippines above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into Philippines. Bureau of Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

Bureau of Customs (BOC) · https://customs.gov.ph