Can I bring two laptops to Cebu?

[Balamban 113]

I would prefer to bring my company laptop so that I can follow workers' compensation cases that I manage while I'm awa'y but I also have a Dell computer that I bought "refurbished," for $220 for my fiance.  It turned out to be completely new or it appears that way to me and I wanted to leave that laptop with my girl to use after I leave.

 

What happens when you bring two laptops?  Should I declare the one I will be leaving and bring a copy of the invoice and expect to pay the 12% VAT?  Can you pay the vat tax in US dollars?  Or is more than one laptop just begging for trouble.

 

How about an engagement ring?  It's not particularly flashy and is not gold, so people assume it's silver which is just fine by me.  I thought about wearing it on a chain around my neck...any ideas?

 

[Brassballs 47]

'Customs' is non-existent at NAIA.   Take both in your carry-on and the ring in your pocket.  Nothing to 'declare'.  Just smile and pass by the kiosk.  Painless.

[Sagot 1,548]

1 hour ago, Balamban said:

I would prefer to bring my company laptop so that I can follow workers' compensation cases that I manage while I'm awa'y but I also have a Dell computer that I bought "refurbished," for $220 for my fiance.  It turned out to be completely new or it appears that way to me and I wanted to leave that laptop with my girl to use after I leave.

 

What happens when you bring two laptops?  Should I declare the one I will be leaving and bring a copy of the invoice and expect to pay the 12% VAT?  Can you pay the vat tax in US dollars?  Or is more than one laptop just begging for trouble.

 

How about an engagement ring?  It's not particularly flashy and is not gold, so people assume it's silver which is just fine by me.  I thought about wearing it on a chain around my neck...any ideas?

 

Nope, don't need to declare the laptops, they are for personal use.   Last year I brought two laptops, and 7 or 8 tablets (most for gifts), I declared nothing.  And we had all the tablets and laptops in our carry on.. was that fun at TSA .

 

Relax on the worries, you have nothing to declare.         

 

You will be fine.

 

 

[Sagot 1,548]

1 hour ago, Balamban said:

I would prefer to bring my company laptop so that I can follow workers' compensation cases that I manage while I'm awa'y but I also have a Dell computer that I bought "refurbished," for $220 for my fiance.  It turned out to be completely new or it appears that way to me and I wanted to leave that laptop with my girl to use after I leave.

 

What happens when you bring two laptops?  Should I declare the one I will be leaving and bring a copy of the invoice and expect to pay the 12% VAT?  Can you pay the vat tax in US dollars?  Or is more than one laptop just begging for trouble.

 

How about an engagement ring?  It's not particularly flashy and is not gold, so people assume it's silver which is just fine by me.  I thought about wearing it on a chain around my neck...any ideas?

 

First time I traveled to the Phils I brought 20-30 movies on DVD, I declared them, and when the customs agent asked at NAIA I said they are for me to watch movies while visiting... he replied you don't need to declare personal items, then smiled and waved me through.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2017 by Sagot

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

You don't need to declare them at all. I brought four with me when I went and there was not a problem.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Same here brought computers, modem, magic jack and more. My wife loves and hates I'm such a geek. 

[Mark and Rassel 9]

No sweat, no ask no tell.  I pretty much did the same thing.  Brought my laptop and a refurb laptop to my then finance (now wife) and an engagement ring.  No need to wear it; in fact I would not wear any jewelry and only cheap watches while you are going through NAIA. Once you arrive, purchase a cheap flip phone and put some load on it so you have some way to communicate.  You might want to consider purchasing (together) your wedding bands and both of you wear them in public even though are not married.  This will minimize any possible negative interaction with ordinary folks.  I remember a couple of years ago my wife receiving some disapproving stares until we purchased wedding rings and wore them publicly.  

 

Mark and Rassel!

 

Edited July 26, 2017 by Mark and Rassel

[jasper383 23]

You didn't say if you were going through NAIA or landing directly in Cebu (Mactan), but either way its the same deal. As others have said you don't need to declare. My wife is from Cebu and I have always gone direct to Mactan and no problems. Last time I went I think I had 3 phones, a tablet and a laptop. Also, I carried the engagement ring inside the box it came in and put it in my carryon. I was afraid if I carried it in my pocket that it would fall out somewhere along the way between Maine and Cebu!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

On 7/26/2017 at 0:07 PM, Mark and Rassel said:

No sweat, no ask no tell.  I pretty much did the same thing.  Brought my laptop and a refurb laptop to my then finance (now wife) and an engagement ring.  No need to wear it; in fact I would not wear any jewelry and only cheap watches while you are going through NAIA. Once you arrive, purchase a cheap flip phone and put some load on it so you have some way to communicate.  You might want to consider purchasing (together) your wedding bands and both of you wear them in public even though are not married.  This will minimize any possible negative interaction with ordinary folks.  I remember a couple of years ago my wife receiving some disapproving stares until we purchased wedding rings and wore them publicly.  

 

Mark and Rassel!

 

 

12 hours ago, jasper383 said:

You didn't say if you were going through NAIA or landing directly in Cebu (Mactan), but either way its the same deal. As others have said you don't need to declare. My wife is from Cebu and I have always gone direct to Mactan and no problems. Last time I went I think I had 3 phones, a tablet and a laptop. Also, I carried the engagement ring inside the box it came in and put it in my carryon. I was afraid if I carried it in my pocket that it would fall out somewhere along the way between Maine and Cebu!

Guys. The OP posted this 7 months ago. I am sure he has completed his travel and is now back home in the States. Be sure to read the dates so you are not adding to a "old" question.