💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Philippines is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
Philippines Sea Freight from China: routing and transit
This is our sea freight service from China to Philippines. Departure is from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu or Shanghai; entry is through Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu, Davao, with clearance handled by Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Manila port congestion is the defining risk on this lane — dwell can double during the Q4 retail build-up. Cebu and Davao are viable direct calls for Visayas and Mindanao consignees and often clear faster than Manila, so it is worth quoting the regional port rather than trucking from MICT.
Route facts
| Destination country | Philippines |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu, Davao |
| Transit, China to gateway | 5–10 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 4–9 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Manila — capital region and the largest single import destination. Via MNL air / MICT sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Quezon City — the most populous city in Metro Manila. Via MNL air / MICT sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Cavite — industrial estates and export processing zones south of Manila. Via MNL air / MICT sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Laguna — electronics and automotive manufacturing corridor. Via MNL air / Batangas sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Cebu — Visayas commercial hub with direct international calls. Via CEB air / Cebu sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Davao — Mindanao's largest city and agri-export base. Via DVO air / Davao sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Iloilo — Western Visayas regional distribution centre. Via ILO air / Iloilo sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Bulacan — light manufacturing and warehousing province north of Manila. Via MNL air / MICT sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Batangas — alternative container port easing Manila congestion. Via Batangas sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Cagayan de Oro — northern Mindanao trade gateway. Via CGY air / Mindanao Container Terminal sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Pampanga — Clark and Subic freeport corridor. Via CRK air / Subic sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Baguio — northern Luzon economic zone and electronics assembly. Via MNL air; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for Philippines
VAT 12%; duty 0–30%, with ACFTA preference available on a Form E. The de-minimis position is PHP 10,000.
Conformity: BPS Import Commodity Clearance for regulated products; FDA licence for food, cosmetics and devices; NTC for radio equipment.
Known friction points: Consolidated 'balikbayan'-style mixed cargo attracts extra scrutiny. Used clothing is prohibited. Alert Orders and physical examination are common, so allow buffer days on any deadline-driven shipment.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Philippines
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Bureau of Customs (BOC) or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Philippines — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu, Davao |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Bureau of Customs (BOC) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | PHP 10,000 |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 12%; duty 0–30%, with ACFTA preference available on a Form E |
| Local currency | PHP |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 4–9 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | BPS Import Commodity Clearance for regulated products; FDA licence for food, cosmetics and devices; NTC for radio equipment |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Philippines. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Maximize every CBM on this route: load your carton list into the 3D container planner, check space and payload utilization, and download the loading plan for your forwarder.
Open Container Planner →✅ Philippines Sea Freight Checklist
- Verify the receiver's customs import capability in Philippines for DDP terms before booking.
- Check pallet vs floor-loading: floor loading typically fits 8-12% more cartons per container.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Philippines take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 4–9 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Philippines?
Clearance is handled by Bureau of Customs (BOC). The regime is: VAT 12%; duty 0–30%, with ACFTA preference available on a Form E, with a de-minimis position of PHP 10,000. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
What certification is needed to import into Philippines?
For regulated goods, plan for: BPS Import Commodity Clearance for regulated products; FDA licence for food, cosmetics and devices; NTC for radio equipment. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Bureau of Customs (BOC), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) and charge the greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Philippines?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Manila (MICT and South Harbor), Cebu, Davao. Surcharges apply.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Philippines?
Bureau of Customs (BOC) typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (BPS Import Commodity Clearance for regulated products; FDA licence for food, cosmetics and devices; NTC for radio equipment). We file these under DDP.
⭐ Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to Philippines with us.
🇵🇭 Philippines
We tested this lane to Philippines with a mid-volume order. The handover and document checks were efficient. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. Theo doi lo hang ro rang trong suot qua trinh.
We tested this lane to Philippines with a mid-volume order. The handover and document checks were efficient. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Theo doi lo hang ro rang trong suot qua trinh.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Philippines. The handover and document checks were efficient. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Philippines through this team. The handover and document checks were efficient. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
This was a DDP shipment to Philippines for mixed cartons. The handover and document checks were efficient. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Philippines through this team. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Philippines for mixed cartons. The handover and document checks were efficient. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Philippines. The handover and document checks were efficient. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Philippines through this team. The handover and document checks were efficient. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Philippines. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
This was a DDP shipment to Philippines for mixed cartons. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We tested this lane to Philippines with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Used this service twice now for air freight. Both times the delivery was smooth and the pricing was transparent.
Efficient service for consolidation shipments. Would have appreciated more proactive updates during transit.
The DDP service is excellent — everything included in the quoted price. No additional fees upon arrival.
Decent service but transit took about a week longer than quoted. Goods arrived undamaged which is the main thing.
Mostly a smooth experience. There was a small delay at the origin port but the team communicated clearly and resolved it quickly.
Quick turnaround and great packaging. My goods arrived in perfect condition and ahead of the estimated delivery date.
Good service overall. The freight cost was competitive and the clearance process was handled well.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Philippines
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Manila MNL air / MICT sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Quezon City MNL air / MICT sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Cavite MNL air / MICT sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Laguna MNL air / Batangas sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Cebu CEB air / Cebu sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Davao DVO air / Davao sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Iloilo ILO air / Iloilo sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Bulacan MNL air / MICT sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Batangas Batangas sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Cagayan de Oro CGY air / Mindanao Container Terminal sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Pampanga CRK air / Subic sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Baguio MNL air inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Philippines cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Refrigeration Equipment Home Appliances, HVAC & Commercial
- Tableware Furniture & Home Products
- Apparel Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Hospital Equipment Medical, Laboratory & Precision Instruments
- Parking Equipment Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Massage Equipment Beauty, Personal Care & Wellness
- Arts & Crafts Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Artificial Plants Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Direct to Consumer E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Fasteners Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Pressure Vessels Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Industrial Boilers General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.