Bringing gifts to the Philippines

[kpleas88 0]

Hi

I will be traveling to the Philippines for the first time in a few weeks and was planing on bringing some gifts with me, but in my research on what to do I ended up gaining more questions then I answered.

I was hoping to bring some candy, a stuffed animal, a movie, small fabric handbag, a ring and possibly some cheese. I've seen a lot of people say not to declare the items as gifts, but to just stick in your check on luggage under some clothes and the two problems I have with that is first I was planing on just bring carry on luggage and second this is my first time going there and I don't want to try and do something secretive and have it come back to bite me lol

Does anyone know if I need to declare these items to keep from getting stopped by customs? If I do declare them is there a fee? and if so how much?

Some of my family has suggested just not bringing anything or bringing everything but the candy and cheese, but I was really hoping to be able to bring it all so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Hank_ 9,172]

Hi

I will be traveling to the Philippines for the first time in a few weeks and was planing on bringing some gifts with me, but in my research on what to do I ended up gaining more questions then I answered.

I was hoping to bring some candy, a stuffed animal, a movie, small fabric handbag, a ring and possibly some cheese. I've seen a lot of people say not to declare the items as gifts, but to just stick in your check on luggage under some clothes and the two problems I have with that is first I was planing on just bring carry on luggage and second this is my first time going there and I don't want to try and do something secretive and have it come back to bite me lol

Does anyone know if I need to declare these items to keep from getting stopped by customs? If I do declare them is there a fee? and if so how much?

Some of my family has suggested just not bringing anything or bringing everything but the candy and cheese, but I was really hoping to be able to bring it all so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

You will have no issues bringing that stuff (not sure on the cheese). First time I traveled to the Phils I packed a bunch of movies (silly me, the DVDs for movies still at the theater are available there) and declared them, the customs guy told me they aren't interested in those and to not bother declaring in the future. And then there was the 20 lbs of candy in my carry-on.... No one will care... relax. You do not need to declare. Not sure about the cheese, you may want check the TSA/airlines for restrictions.

[chillin4me 15]

You just declare the things that have worth like jewelry or appliance. But i will suggest just dont bring those or maybe minimize on bringing those. They might be interested on those and will ask it or ask u some costum tax.. Check on you airline what you can or cannot bring.

[kpleas88 0]

Thanks so much Hank! Did you remove the candy from your carry on at any time? like during security or did you just leave it in your bag? I am thinking about placing mind in side my laptop bag.

[kpleas88 0]

Thank you chillin4me. I was planing on bringing my laptop, a ring, cell phone and a phone charger. would those need to be declared?

[Hank_ 9,172]

Thanks so much Hank! Did you remove the candy from your carry on at any time? like during security or did you just leave it in your bag? I am thinking about placing mind in side my laptop bag.

Nope never removed the candy, I did get a grin from the TSA guy as it when through the scanner.

Do not need to declare your laptop, cell phone/charge... nothing. It is all for personal use so relax. You don't need to declare the ring either.... NOTHING.

[j&ana 363]

Thank you chillin4me. I was planing on bringing my laptop, a ring, cell phone and a phone charger. would those need to be declared?

no but make sure you carry them on and not put it in check baggage as the laptop might get damage

[j&ana 363]

I flew to the Philippines 4 times before. None of the above things need to be declare. Last time I went I had my tablet, a new camera, my wife engagement and wedding ring some small souvenirs. all that I kept in my seat with me on a small carry on. then I had a carry on suit case with some clothes and lots of bags of chocolates for my wife and family. I store the suite case above me I also check a bag with some more clothes and stuff animals and more chocolate hahaa my wife told me her she had a lot of nieces and nephews that like chocolate so I bought a lot. I had no problem going thru security in Denver, Tokyo or Manila. Be warn it can get very hot in Manila airport and some of the chocolate was starting to melt, that was in my check luggage so make sure you keep it away from any type of clothes or item that could get ruin I place the chocolate in plastic bags on top and put and old towel in between the chocolate and other items.

Now If you decide to bring some food and stuff back from there. I did for My sister in law who is already living here. you want to check it and declare it when you arrive here .

First time I came back my sister in law had me bring dried fish and I told her at custom I got strange looks and she told me she will not ask me to bring that back next time

Edited January 8, 2015 by j&ana

[VOL 425]

If you can get some good deals on used IPhone 5 bring a few, they pay a fortune for them in Philippines.

Also laptop are good to bring and sell over there

As a rule electronics are about double the cost what we pay in USA,

Those can sometimes pay for your trip.

[manilaraf 28]

Not quite. With the release of the new iPhones, the price of resold iPhone 5's (not the 5s) has been dropping in places such as Greenhills. (Yes, more than the cost of my cheap P500/$12 backup cellphone but you can chalk that up to the ability of the iPhone to hold value).

Yes, but you'll have to carry around laptops in your luggage.

Double the cost? Seriously? If you mean iPhones, you need to compare the unsubsidized cost of the carrier unlocked phone itself and not the telecom-subsidized contract price. In my time living here, I'd say the cost of electronics (cameras, TVs, etc) is comparable to, to about 10% more expensive (25% at the top end) depending on if it's officially available vs grey market price. (And if you're in Metro Manila vs the Provinces).

[j&ana 363]

Not quite. With the release of the new iPhones, the price of resold iPhone 5's (not the 5s) has been dropping in places such as Greenhills. (Yes, more than the

cost of my cheap P500/$12 backup cellphone but you can chalk that up to the ability of the iPhone to hold value).

Yes, but you'll have to carry around laptops in your luggage.

Double the cost? Seriously? If you mean iPhones, you need to compare the unsubsidized cost of the carrier unlocked phone itself and not the telecom-subsidized contract price. In my time living here, I'd say the cost of electronics (cameras, TVs, etc) is comparable to, to about 10% more expensive (25% at the top end) depending on if it's officially available vs grey market price. (And if you're in Metro Manila vs the Provinces).

I Agree electronics are not that much cheaper over there unless you are buying a cheap imitation from some one on the street

and laptops are not as popular over there like here they do not have wifi hotspots everywhere like we do here

[chillin4me 15]

Thank you chillin4me. I was planing on bringing my laptop, a ring, cell phone and a phone charger. would those need to be declared?

you don't have to unless you are bringing a dozen of each..

relax and enjoy your trip. It will be a long trip anyways.

[Dannywh1972 0]

I see this thread is rather old. is still the case that you do no have to declare rings and phones?

 

[Hank_ 9,172]

3 hours ago, Dannywh1972 said:

I see this thread is rather old. is still the case that you do no have to declare rings and phones?

 

Still the same.   Don't declare personal items

[Carpe Vinum 2,310]

18 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Still the same.   Don't declare personal items

DECLARE NOTHING...EVER :-))))))