Customs and Traveling to Philippines Next Month

[twstr988 1]

Ok quick story. This is my first time traveling overseas. As now I am 28 days away, each day I feel more and more stress. Likely from the stress of overwhelming myself instead of just getting on the plane and going. I am coming with only clothes, laptop, cell phone, my cameras and camera accessories and chargers and 2 small bags of Hersheys chocolate for my soon to be niece there who has been begging me for 3 months to bring her American chocolate. I am getting Pesos here in Chicago before I leave but less than declaring laws so not worried about that. I am coming and going to get married. She is and has been waiting. She just bought her wedding dress yesterday. As far as I have read on 20,000,000 websites is what I am bringing does not have to be declared and I can go through the non item declare line at the airport in Manila where she is meeting me. I am so nervous and it is anxiety I know from trying so hard to make everything work perfect. I know I overwhelmed myself and now instead of being so super excited all I am thinking about is the flights and making sure everything works perfect getting there and in my mind I keep thinking worst case scenarios which I should NOT be doing. I know this is going to be the best time of my life when I get there. But in my mind the nervousness is so much. Not about the marriage or us but about getting there. Like I said I read a great article and explained what I am doing perfectly. Pretty much saying to stop doing what I am doing and just get on the flight and go. Sadly easier said than done.

OK All that said just to also ask this.....

I am bringing her rings and my ring for the wedding. I am very confused by what customs means by bringing jewelry or gold or whatever it is from here. We went cheaper on the rings at her request this time just because for Christmas we will get the real rings. Hers is just gold white plates. Mine is sterling silver. As far as I think, its on my carry on luggage anyway as required by US laws, I shouldnt have a problem with the things I said above plus the rings right? I mean we went cheap for this part as less than US$100 total. I know being a gift I dont have to declare it as it is just gifts. Thanks.

[TBoneTX 45,537]

*** Thread moved from Off Topic forum to the Philippines regional forum, for country-specific insights on Customs. ***

[Sirliner 26]

Philippines Customs wants you to declare jewelry, even if they are gifts. So they can collect their ridiculous tax. Having said that, I didn't when I flew there in February. Had no problem at the airport in Manila. Simply handed the form with nothing on it to the lady customs official and walked through.

[clairegie 265]

My husband (then fiance) didn't declare anything. The rings were in his carry-on in a jewelry box and wasn't asked about it at all.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Relax... you are over thinking.

When you exit the terminal and all you see is guards, just walk across the driveway there is a ramp down to a lower level... that is where everyone waits, or where you can get a taxi.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Hank_

[twstr988 1]

Thanks everyone I actually got a message back from the Philippine consulate in Chicago who also said straight out not to worry. This is what they said.. Made me feel so much more relief also hearing it from them.

Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago

If your return ticket is within 30 days of your arrival, you go visa free. The stamp will be done by Philippine immigration authorities upon your arrival. With regards to Philippine customs, you have nothing to declare since all you are bringing (including the rings) are personal items. You should have nothing to worry about. I am sure your fiance or her family will be fetching you at the airport when you arrive. Just to be fully prepared, I suggest you should have the numbers of the US Embassy in Manila in your possession, so should anything go wrong during your stay, you can contact them for assistance.

[teddy k 35]

Just relax and enjoy your marriage plus dont buy any pesos till you land in manila then trade in $100.00 bills to buy your pesos to get better rate in airport

[twstr988 1]

I was going to do that but in Chicago USA, the rate for cashing in for Pesos was so low at Ohare airport, I couldnt pass it up. I dont land until late so I wanted to have some just so when I leave me and my fiance can just get in a cab and get to hotel before I have to go to the embassy the next day. I will only be in Manila for 2 days. Than we are flying to Iloilo. One other question. The only thing that I was concerned about is airline times in the Philippines. I land Monday night on Oct 13th. I land at 8:45pm. She is flying in and landing in Manila from Iloilo at 7pm. That leaves about 2 hours or so between her landing and me. Im not as concerned about my flight as she can watch the boards with my flight. But I wont see hers. I am just hoping that she will be there when I am. Im not sure how the times are if there are a lot of delays. She is flying Cebu Pacific which is also who we are using going back to Iloilo. I would not know what to do if I landed and she was not there. Are on time flights pretty good for domestic flights into Manila? She lands at terminal 3 as well as me so we both will arrive in same area. That way I wont have to worry when I arrive there. I know thats a hard question to answer but just wanted to ask Thanks everyone.

[Hank_ 9,174]

It's good to have some pesos in hand at the airport. Exchange rate at NAIA is not the best.

[sweet cakes 326]

You don't have to declare those valuables if they are going to be for personal use. You won't sell them in Philippines, right?

As for exchanging your USDs for some PH Pesos, I would also recommend having them done in PH, but it would be a good idea to have some pesos worth about $100 changed ahead. Based on experience, airports have the worst exchange rate, btw.

Domestic flight delays definitely can happen but this time of the year is not a peak season, so no need to worry about that. Just be prepared to call her when you arrive as it's quite a mess outside NAIA 1 arrival.

[twstr988 1]

Yea I am exchanging 200 USD here before just because the days I will be in Manila are going to be so busy that I may not have time to stop and exchange. In Chicago here, its only 6 USD to exchange 200 USD so for that rate I figured that would get me into Iloilo where I will exchange more. But I guess from what I saw and read from recent travelers that they built in a waiting area inside terminal 3 for people waiting for guests to arrive. We will both be at terminal 3. The waiting area from the photos I seen at terminal 3 in Manila are glass walls so those waiting cannot actually go inside but have a area just inside where they can wait. They say the new terminal 3 is a very modern new terminal But anyway yes I am doing 200 USD here so it will get me all through what I need in the Manila part of the trip. Than I am bringing a couple hundred in USD 100$ bills to exchange when we get back to Iloilo outside the airport. If I didnt have to go to the embassy first I would have just connected in Manila to Iloilo but rules are rules and no way am I going to do anything wrong I am happy for all the responses. Thank you very much everyone. I have never been out of the USA and thats where a lot of my nervousness is. I am just worried about the getting there. After that looks A LOT easier and I can finally enjoy the Philippines. Since I was a child, now 39, I have always wanted to come there. Its always been my number 1 country to go to. Now being even better that I have a beautiful, wonderful and sweetest fiance in the world there that is awaiting my arrival. That just made this so much better. I also sponsor 5 children in the Philippines. I just love your country. I always have. Thanks again. The more I hear, the more I feel like I will be welcomed with open arms.

Oh and yes they are just her engagement ring, her wedding band and my band. The rings are not for sale for sure. I am bringing them just for marriage

[Hank_ 9,174]

currently P43.91 = $1.00 The good places exchange at about P1.5 below that

[twstr988 1]

That a very good rate. Now I see what you mean by airport rates. I definitely will not buy anymore than I am going to at the airports. She said she did find some good places that have good rates like that so thats perfect Thanks for the information.

[sweet cakes 326]

Yea I am exchanging 200 USD here before just because the days I will be in Manila are going to be so busy that I may not have time to stop and exchange. In Chicago here, its only 6 USD to exchange 200 USD so for that rate I figured that would get me into Iloilo where I will exchange more. But I guess from what I saw and read from recent travelers that they built in a waiting area inside terminal 3 for people waiting for guests to arrive. We will both be at terminal 3. The waiting area from the photos I seen at terminal 3 in Manila are glass walls so those waiting cannot actually go inside but have a area just inside where they can wait. They say the new terminal 3 is a very modern new terminal But anyway yes I am doing 200 USD here so it will get me all through what I need in the Manila part of the trip. Than I am bringing a couple hundred in USD 100$ bills to exchange when we get back to Iloilo outside the airport. If I didnt have to go to the embassy first I would have just connected in Manila to Iloilo but rules are rules and no way am I going to do anything wrong I am happy for all the responses. Thank you very much everyone. I have never been out of the USA and thats where a lot of my nervousness is. I am just worried about the getting there. After that looks A LOT easier and I can finally enjoy the Philippines. Since I was a child, now 39, I have always wanted to come there. Its always been my number 1 country to go to. Now being even better that I have a beautiful, wonderful and sweetest fiance in the world there that is awaiting my arrival. That just made this so much better. I also sponsor 5 children in the Philippines. I just love your country. I always have. Thanks again. The more I hear, the more I feel like I will be welcomed with open arms.

Oh and yes they are just her engagement ring, her wedding band and my band. The rings are not for sale for sure. I am bringing them just for marriage

It would definitely be easier for you guys if you are both arriving at Terminal 3. There are some restaurants there where she can hang-out and free wifi access too so she will be pre-occupied while waiting for you. What's your airline, btw? Just double check because there are only a few international airlines operating in Terminal 3, as far as I know. Terminal 1 is a chaos and if there's another option, I wouldn't advice it to anyone flying in for the first time to meet somebody outside the arrival hall.

Enjoy your stay in Philippines! and yes, Ilonggo delicacies are a must-try!

[twstr988 1]

It would definitely be easier for you guys if you are both arriving at Terminal 3. There are some restaurants there where she can hang-out and free wifi access too so she will be pre-occupied while waiting for you. What's your airline, btw? Just double check because there are only a few international airlines operating in Terminal 3, as far as I know. Terminal 1 is a chaos and if there's another option, I wouldn't advice it to anyone flying in for the first time to meet somebody outside the arrival hall.

Enjoy your stay in Philippines! and yes, Ilonggo delicacies are a must-try!

Thank you I cant wait to get there and yes she has told me so much about Iloilo and I will take your advice and try it. I am definitely coming terminal 3 because I am flying ANA Airlines from Chicago to Tokyo than to Manila. The airline itself has a permanent gate area at terminal 3. Her flight also says arrives at terminal 3 and we also fly out of terminal 3 so terminal 3 has from I see gotten so much better than a lot of other airports in the world from what people have said. But yea she is flying Cebu Pacific into #3 and I am flying ANA Airlines (Japan airline) and the airline and even the airport map for Manila shows their perm gates in #3 Thank you again. I am feeling somewhat better already.