Import Processing

Imported goods commonly inside balikbayan boxes entering the Philippines by air and sea are required to be manifested by the air or ocean carrier and upon arrival of the carrier, an inward foreign manifest must be submitted to the Philippine Bureau of Customs. There are four major steps involved in the processing of import documents:

1. Documentation
2. Examination and appraisal
3. Pre-liquidation and payment
4. Release of goods from the customs zone

Container loading in Manila, Philippines

Cargo to be transported by air are inspected by the BOC at the NAIA. Conventional cargo, whether containerized or non-containerized, to be transported by ship are inspected by the Customs Container Control Division and the Piers Inspection division, respectively, after payment of the wharfage fee and arrastre service charges at the South Harbor or Manila International Container Port (MICP).

However, for BOI and PEZA registered companies, stamping or exemption from payment of wharfage fee may be done at the PPA Unit of OSEDC-Manila at Roxas Boulevard. Loading can either be at the North or South Harbor.