Customs and duties are some of the most hotly contested topics on local blogs recently, and I can’t help but relate it to my (our?) hobby of amassing toys and CDs produced in Japan. I’ve been hit by the tax man pretty hard too, so of course I’d do everything legitimate in my power to save a buck or two.
If you’re wary of your parcels from online stores getting taxed, there are two ways to avoid them — however keep in mind that this isn’t guaranteed to work 100% of the time. One way is to keep your shipments small, at just under USD 50. These are considered low-value shipments and are less likely to be taxed. Another way is to have the parcel shipped via SAL — which is much slower and not trackable, but is also more likely to fly under the radar and reach your doorstep without getting taxed.
So how do you know if your parcel is being held for customs? If your parcel was sent via EMS and has not reached you three days after it was mailed out, then it was probably flagged for inspection. You can confirm this via three methods: 1) you can check the JAPAN POST or USPS website to check on your parcel via its tracking number; 2) you can wait for your claim voucher to arrive via snail mail; or 3) you can call the EMS call center at (+632) 854-3580 and give them your parcel tracking number for confirmation.
If your parcel is detained at the Bureau of Customs, you have to trek all the way to their office at the EMS Sorting Facility on MIA Road, Pasay City (MAP). Don’t forget to bring your claim voucher, or a printout of the page on the tracking website, and two valid IDs. Once there, you will be asked to open your parcel to determine the value, and then taxes and fees will be levied on the contents.
Generally, the calculations run like this:
[total USD value of parcel * 10% customs dues] + [total USD value of parcel * 12% VAT] + [PhP 750 customs miscellaneous fees] + [PhP 35 Philpost releasing fee]
So if your item is valued at USD 100, and assuming that the conversion rate is PhP 50 to USD 1, you have to pay: [USD 10] + [USD 12] + [PhP 750] + [PhP 35] = PhP1885. Good luck trying to fish that out of your wallet without weeping silently.
I know that it’s my duty as a citizen to pay taxes and dues, and it really wouldn’t be such a big deal if they weren’t so high. Also, I could live with myself better if I knew that the money was going to good use, like building schools or shoring up local businesses. Instead, they go to the pockets of corrupt government officials and greedy politicians.
It’s a lose-lose situation for regular folks like you and me 😦
Starting 31st December 2010, I may no longer be able to regularly reply to queries posted on this thread. However, most cases have already been tackled previously, so I suggest you read through the comments log to find your answers, instead of posting a new question. Thank you very much!
JPOP Manila 
i’m from cebu and i bought some accessories online.. mga total is less than 200$ including shipping.. my package was stuck in manila customs and i was called by the courier informing me of the ridiculous tax! 6,500pesos for the tax T_T and if they said i wait one more day.. another 500 pesos will be added to the bill:(
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the additional 500 pesos per day is “storage fee” for unclaimed packages. as for the duties being imposed on your parcel, ask for a detailed calculation from the customs office so you can lodge a complaint, if you wish.
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Hello! I ordered an item in CDJapan and used EMS as my shipping method. I tracked my item just this afternoon and it’s status is “retention”. I’ve read a comment about this already. And I guess I have to pay taxes for this. (>.<)
But I can't possibly claim it in the customs office since I live in Iloilo. Do you have any idea how I can claim my parcel? Thank you so much!
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you can ask the customs office in pasay via phone if they can forward the item to the visayas pick-up point (i assume they have one) so you can retrieve your parcel and pay for your taxes there.
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hello I ordered an item from china and that status of my package is REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MNL CMEC EMS Handed over to Customs . it was handed to customs since nov 4. the seller from which I bought the items told me that it will be delivered to my home. but its almost 6 days. im still waiting but theres nothing. I dont know what to do. pls help.
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if the item is with customs then you have to go to their office to claim it and pay for the taxes. even if your seller assures you that your item will be delivered directly to you, they cannot guarantee it since the local customs office can and will detain parcels at their own discretion.
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hi magnetic rose,
my friend in US sent a package for me via USPS last Oct 19 and after 3 days, he checked the status and said it arrived in manila already. I was expecting for the package to reach me before my birthday(nov.5)but sadly, until now, di pa rin dumarating. what do you think should i do sis? please give me some pieces of advice.thanks in advance and more power to you:)
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kindly ask your friend who sent you the parcel for the tracking number, then phone the local EMS sorting facility in pasay to check if they have the package in their custody. if they have confirmed that the parcel is with them, you can pick it up and pay for your taxes at their pasay office. good luck!
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hey, my sister sent me an iPod touch from macau and I was wondering whether or not it will be taxed that much? i’m worried that I might pay too much, since the parcel is not that big anyway? problem is, I think she declared that it is an iPod touch. 😦
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it depends on the customs office if they decide to tax you for it. if they do, you’re looking at about ten percent taxes and duties, twelve percent VAT, plus PhP 790++ in various fees.
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hi again magnetic rose,
thanks for the super fast reply. i really appreciate it.
here’s another question sis.
my friend was the one who sent the parcel,i was phoning him yesterday to ask for the tracking number or details but his phone was off.
sis can i still inquire regarding the whereabouts of the package in EMS Pasay even if i don’t have the tracking number?but just the name of the sender and the receiver?or can i claim it even without the tracking number??
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the call center prefers that you have the tracking number on hand instead of the sender’s name and address because it is more reliable. you can try asking them with just the name and address, but i am unsure as to how successful your inquiry will be. good luck! 🙂
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good evening magnetic rose,
is it possible that a parcel has no tracking number? my friend told me that there was no tracking number given to him since the package weighed less than a kilo only(it’s only a canon digicam and an ipod) is it really possible?the only thing given to him was a customs form and he gave me the serials.can i use this customs form number in tracking down the package?
thanks in advance again sis.
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if the parcel has no tracking number, it was probably not sent via EMS — which means that the EMS sorting facility here in pasay might not be able to help you. as for the customs form, i’m not sure if that will be helpful since the customs office keeps tabs on parcels via the tracking number and not anything else.
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I ordered two mangas (they’re not so thick) from Japan (straight from the mangaka’s office) and it’s their first time accepting overseas orders, so they resorted to EMS (much to my horror especially after reading the foul evil that lurks behind the customs counters) to ‘avoid’ trouble. How ironic in our case.
I was just wondering anong label siya normally? Books right? I’m really really worried kasi it’s already November, Christmas season… and like you guys said, they are on a taxing frenzy on this time of the year. Even though $31 lang siya all in all at maliit na package lang. D; Pwede kayang i-label siya as documents kasi they always deliver it on your doorstep?
I actually paid in Euro, the mangaka’s preference, para di nila kagad maconvert. XD I don’t want to make a lot of requests like changing shipment methods, naaawa na kasi ako sa staff, today’s Comitia pa naman. XD Hayz… but maybe I’ll go bite the bullet and ask if there’s a possibility :<
Mas mahal ba kung courier na lang like FedEx? O:
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@rinku yes, books and magazines are labelled as “books”. and yes, courier fees are more expensive — plus, there is no chance of dodging customs fees because the courier service will prepay your taxes for you and then bill you for it, and if you do not pay up they will retain your parcel.
@cris sorry but i do not understand your situation very well — why is the bureau of customs in the philippines charging you for customs fees for a parcel sent from the UK addressed to malaysia? please explain your situation clearly one more time — thanks.
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hello poh..
there’s a package for me from London, and they told me that the Philippines customs is asking $200 as a sort of tax to the package. Coz what’s inside the package is a laptop,digicam, ipod, jewelries and a $10,000 cash. So is it really possible that i’ll be paying that kind of amount? Because I have already paid $220 to the customs there in Malaysia, but what i did now is i just pay the $220 in Malaysian customs, but never paid the $200 for the Philippine customs. Do i really need to pay that amount to them? Coz that package is never delivered to me until now. And if i’ll pay $200 for the Philippine Customs, is that the payment all in all? Coz the package there is more than a week already. And can i have the exact address for the office of the Philippine customs in Manila? I hope you can help me, thanks in advance.
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hello, finally my package from customs was already forwarded to the post office near my place. and I will claim it on monday butI just want to ask if im still going to pay for the taxes on the local post office here in my place if ever customs had charge taxes on my package? or just the 35 pesos? thanks!
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hi Magnetic_Rose. thank you for responding to my question. i’m sorry though if i wasn’t able to explain my situation very clearly yesterday as i was in a hurry when i messaged you that. my case is like this, i’m from here in Ozamiz City and i’m expecting 1 trunk box (containing a laptop, cellphone, jewelry, iPod, digicam, and $10,000USD cash) which was sent from the UK last 11 November 2010. on Saturday, 13 November, a certain girl from Malaysia called me up on my mobile and informed me that they are the courier that received my package from the UK. she said that i am to pay a delivery charge of $220 for them to forward my said package to me here in the Philippines. an email from them also came simultaneously with that particular call that same day. the following are excerpts from that said email: “…your parcel has arrived to our office here in Malaysia and for further delivery to you in Philippines, you are required to pay a delivery charges.The flight brought the items to KLIA airport here in Malaysia as its transit and checking point before proceeding to other destinations. Due to the valuable things inside the package as stated, you are hereby charged by the Malaysian customs before they released the items to us for delivery to you. The charges are also a little bit high because of the Hardcover insurance Policy we have undertaken in case of loss,Damage or Theft of your highly sensitive items. We assume all responsibilities in case of any eventualities and we don’t deliver on cash on delivery(C.O.D) because we don’t accept cash. The management has instructed that unless the charges are paid,your package will now be delivered to you. You are to make the payment of $220(USD) so as to enable us speedy up the process of delivery after indicating to us. You are to make the payment in Favour of our Accounts Officer Dani Reza Djamal with the Details Below *_ _ _ _ _*.
You are to send a copy of the evidence of payment to our email address. A Confirmatory Email shall be sent to you Immediately we Confirm your Payment. As soon as we receive confirmation and evidence of payment of the above charges, we shall dispatch your package to you immediately. The date and time of departure and expected date of delivery will be sent to you. You will be required to sign for the package and to do this, you will need either your international passport as identification,your driver’s license or any valid identification card. All orders not delivered within five (3) working days from this communication will be withheld. Please ensure that you confirm your delivery address…”
now i complied and completely paid that particular amount ($220 USD) last Monday, 15 November thru Western Union. but on Tuesday, 16 November, a certain Ms. Chua (said she’s from the courier company) texted me saying: “…hindi nrelease ng PPO ang package nyo. na-scan po kse yung $10,000 sa box nyo. kelangan nyo po bayaran ang Philippine customs ng $200. thanx…” and so i called Ms. Chua and she told me that i need to send the said $200 payment to the same account i sent the $220 to the day before. now i’m starting to worry whether or not these are really legit charges that i’m paying for and whether i’m actually transacting with legit persons. i didn’t yet pay the additional $200 as i don’t have any assurance about my above concerns plus the fact that the above-mentioned charges are quite high! first was already Php9,000 and now another Php8,000?! i don’t even know if my parcel is ever gonna get to me at all. i don’t know if they’re gonna charge me some new amounts again after should i pay this $200! when they first asked for that $220 on Saturday they assured me that that was the only amount i needed to pay and that i shall then receive the package. that’s why i was surprised to hear about this new $200 charge. please share your thoughts regarding this case. i badly need your expert advise regarding my situation. 😦 thank you.
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hi cris — i’m very sorry but i’m afraid that your case is more complicated than what most of us here on this thread have been dealing with, since: 1) your parcel was not sent directly to manila, but had to go through a clearing house in malaysia; 2) the parcel is of high value; and 3) the courier you are using is demanding an escrow fee before releasing your parcel to you.
i think the best you can do is to speak with someone from the bureau of customs to sort this out — as this situation is really beyond my experience to try to figure out. and bring a lawyer or someone who knows the ins and outs of the import business when meetng with them so that you are not too confused. sorry again, and good luck.
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i thought only EMS incoming parcel has a problem here in the Philippines but also outgoing. I called USPS they say that my Foreign International Dispatch let MNL CTRL MAIL EXCHANGE Ph nov 17, 2010 but never reach USA.5 days already passed no parcel received by the recipient. since it is a gift maybe got interested on it. It is really disappointing how some Filipino works.
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Fortunately the recipient of my package is a USPS engineer so he knows what is teh problem. My incoming (DELL Inkcardridge) was almost about to lost but we call the Office of the Board for 5 times luckily her husband is american so after 3 weeks we got it but the noticed been stated 3 attempts but our receptionist is a witness that no notice receive so the postmaster’s fault.
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hi can anybody help me? i want to know where is PHMLB my package is from korea i check the tracking number and it states their that Handed over to Customs PHMNLB.where can i get my package? thank you
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if your EMS parcel has been handed off to customs, it’s best to call the customs number shown above to confirm. just have your tracking number on hand when you call.
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will i get the package in custom? and where can i find it?
may i know what is the custom number?
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please read through the entire post — the pick-up location and the EMS sorting facility’s phone number have already been indicated there.
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Hi Magnetic_rose,
I bought some phones in China and was sent last November 10, It posted in ems tracking site that November 16 was handed over to Customs. I called our local post here in Baguio and they said that they don’t have the package yet and advised me to wait until Customs compute the tax and send the item here. May I get some advise to some of my queries:
1. do I have to call ems/customs Manila or trust the local personnel here and just wait?
2. Baguio is far from Pasay…will they even dare to send the package to our local post?
3. Is there issue on knockoff phones? since I bought a china phone…
Thanks and Hope for your advice.
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I’m also having trouble with an outgoing EMS package sent out last Sunday (21/11) to Hong Kong. An identical package was sent on 22/11 and it made it in 3 days. PhilPost says the earlier package was dispatched on the 23rd. It’s now the 28th and there is no sign of it and Hong Kong Post says it never arrived. 😦
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@sankat — if the city post office suggests that you wait for your parcel to be forwarded to them, just follow their instructions.
@jay — sorry but your question has nothing to do with customs releasing so i can’t help you; you’ll have to ask somebody else for advice.
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magnetic_rose: Thanks. I got in touch with the EMS people today and everything should be fine. 🙂
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i send the package to malaysia last nov.19 but the tracking number still saying departure from outward OE,..we call the poslaju office in malaysia they told us that the package is still here in the phil…
can u help me what to do?…
di ba ..if theres a problem in my package they will call me…
pls…someone help me…
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sorry danijean but this is the wrong place to ask for that sort of help. you’ll be better off talking to someone from PHILPOST about your concern. good luck!
apologies again, jay — for not being able to help.
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panu po magcommute papunta sa main office ng ems..
grabe ung phone nila..puro busy…
pls help me… huhuhuhuuhu 😦
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kindly read the post — there is already a map up there.
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hi…
what if my items are handled by the customs for several day… how can i get it… do i have to call first… or just wait for my items to be sent here in our place… tnx
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your items must be picked up at the sorting facility for customs calculation and payment. if the customs fees are not paid for, they will not be sent to you no matter how long you wait.
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even i dont have any notification to go there and pick it up?….
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please read the post for instructions on how to pick up a parcel without the notification letter from your local post office.
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hi.. i ordered laptop that worth of 406usd and the company told me free shipping i checked my products online EMS tracking my product was received by sorting center(REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MNL CMEC EMS) at 2010-12-09 09:03:00,how can i get it? can you help me? this is my first time.. tnx
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hi magnetic_rose… i bought 50 pcs of jelly watches online worth 130 USD it will be shipped via EMS.. reading all their experiences here i am quite nervous on how much they will tax me.. will jelly watches be taxed under jewelry- accessories?
can you give me ideas on how to go about the importing business easily? im planning to put up small business kasi.. and cheap items online and from china are much interesting to sell.. thanks
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hi just checked ems for my package it was dispached from china 4 days ago..i looked at the ems tracking and says it was held by philippine customs…yesterday…but still no progress of what happens next..my seller from china declared it as 25$ tattoo kit…do you think it will be held and i will be paying tax?
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hi i just wanna ask how to go to ems office… i will be from alabang and i dont know how to get there… thanks..
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good afternoon po, just wanna ask if puwede po ba magpadala ng cell phone through EMS from Japan po siya? Thanks in advance po, Godbless.
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Hi Magnetic-rose,
Thanks for you help here! was able to get my goods by calling the Customs in Pasay and calling also EMS in Pasay. They sent the package here in Baguio but charge me 100usd for tax…
I just want to share how i manage to lower down the tax…when picking up my item they gave me the computation before releasing my items…so i decided to write a letter of contest to the customs who actually appraised my items which he decided to tax my items with a whooping price…. they sometimes assume the price of the items even if items have been declared…..after days they gave a go signal by recomputing my items according to the declared value 🙂
this is a good thing if your far from Manila like me 🙂 though I had to wait for the reply of Customs from my letter of contest.
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what does status of handed over to customs means? does it mean I have to go there and pay? huhuhu
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i track my ems package from thailand, then the status of my package is to customs?what does it means?
do i need to pray now for not to be held by those greedy customs?
how should i know it was held?? how should i know too that its my time to pick it up in pasay?
hoping for faster response,, thanks in advance
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Gienah and Chad,
when the status says Handed over to customs, you have to call Customs or EMS Pasay to check your items. Once you have confirmed arrival of your package, go to customs office in Pasay as this will not be delivered to your house.
I have a package that has arrived last December 31. Due to the holiday, it’s taking them forever to process my package. I’ve been calling since Monday and all they is call again tomorrow for an update. Sigh.
How long does it usually take for packages to be processed after the holidays?
Thank you.
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hay salamat at may ganitong site na pwedeng mapagtanongan!..^^,
pag meron po bang “Certificate of Origin” yung package ko idi-deliver po ba yun mismo sa bahay namin kahit maliit o malaki man ang size ng package ko?
alam ko po may tax, pero ano po ba ang ma-i su-sugest nyo po sa akin na walang hassle sa pag-padala ng mga binili galing sa China o Korea?
taga Bicol po ako, ano po ang mas maganda EMS o FED-EX?
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Hi Magnetic_rose!
I’m new to this importing stuff and i’m really young and i’m worried about the taxes the philippine custom will charge me..
I have a package arriving from china worth $200.00
basically clothes and jewelry..
How much will they charge if thats the case?
p.s. my friend ordered something online from U.S worth $300.00 and the custom charged her 5000.00 pesos.. she had no choice but to pay because she needs it for her project..
What to do?? Please help..
how to compute for customs charge??
Thanks soo much :))
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Hi, My mother is planning to send me a box containing old and new clothes,shoes,bags and a brand new DSLR camera which only cost about 300 pounds. They are not for reselling and they are from my mother for my personal use,will the customs still charge me?is it safe and reliable?thank you so much for your help
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hi there..
i just experienced having tax at first in dhl and dpex because they are private couriers. They first call me if I agree to pay the tax computed by customs. They left me with no choice but to pay the tax. DPEX tax was not that high, just paif 500 pesos in late 2009 for some pieces of clothes. DHL computed 3500pesos for 30-40pcs clothes.
I thought EMS will give me a hassle-free 2010 but i was wrong. late november of last year, I tracked my package and was surprised to read that my packged was HANDED OVER CUSTOMS. Darn it. I’ve always used EMS ever since. DPEX and DHL were used for fast delivery (BEFORE!) That was my 1st time having such problem with EMS. I asked a friend, who is also an online seller, and gave me a number, The owner of the number is a customs police officer and can help me get my package in exchange for UNDER THE TABLE transaction.. (LAGAY!) i then asked him to get my 2 packages.
He computed it for 2500 including the shipping fee from Manila to my place (a province nearby). 800 pesos was the computation by JRS for the delivery of my package so he got 1700 pesos from me. No receipts given. It’s alright because i needed to pay 4000 pesos if I made it legal. I thought that was my 1st and last time but I was wrong.
Throughout December, I negotiated with this CUstoms Police Officer and we came up to an agreement that every box i get will just cost 1000 pesos. But i receive 6-8 packages in a month! 😦 Too bad. I stay calm for I know this matter is only every December since BOC (Bureau of Customs) just needed to target their quota for the year 2010. January 2011 came and was surprised that my package was hold in customs again! the nerve! I think this Customs Police Officer was making way to hold my package so he can get more money from me and worst, make it a lifetime transaction! GRR!
I was so mad but I still contacted him to get my package and paid him again and again. I asked one of my friends if I can use their name as the receiver of the package since I was doubting on the customs police officer. I’m 90% sure that he’s finding way to get my package and have it hold it customs so he can be sure he can benefit from it. There are times when he’s very demanding on his text messages on me and even scaring me that he won’t get my package out of customs. My temper was running out.
Until yesterday, I tracked my package and saw it was hold in customs. I called EMS yesterday and today and advised me to go there in Pasay to pick up the package and pay for the tax that will be computed by the examiner. I searched the net and found out this thread. This is very helpful though a really long thread to read! 🙂 I plan to go to EMS Pasay tomorrow to get my package. I hope the tax will not be that high. I will never ask for receipt. I hope 500pesos will do on my package. Will update you then.
To God be the Glory!
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for those who don’t have the patience to read the threadm again, these are the #s of EMS..
02-854-3580
02-854-5257
02-854-4621
08-854-0085
have patience on calling them! 🙂
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Hi I’ve been into shipping items since 2003 and honestly when Pnoy became the President. all the packages is on hold for customs. I rather accept the late Head of customs who is corrupt but He gives consideration when they hold the item at pasay sometimes they let it go you just to pay the 40php fee. and If it was time for “qouta” every month if your item is hold thats when they get your taxes(weather weather). But now is different everything always HAVE Custom TAX. Even the other guy who got a playing cards got tax or 10%+12vat+ miscellaneous+trust liabilites= 1,+++php. Hayzzz
I rest my case on EMS this time, Ill take SAL or any kind of shipping that include tracking number atleast to all those local corrupt officials you can get a discount. but on EMS you don’t! and still you even don’t know if there reciepts are legit.
I have last package will coming next week. another 1.6-1.8k custom tax again. Hayz
Anyway Tips on Recieving an ITEM
-Always ask to Lower the Declaration of the item
-make the declaration not that special like used toy etc.
-Be friend the custom officer.
Still this is not effective on EMS its effective on local postoffice when getting an item.
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Just Remeber just always Pray that they will deliver the item to you. if not… shit happens.
it always happnes to me when I’m getting the item like 2/3 1 is on hold or 2 is onhold at EMS. thats why EMS is good. but when they hold the item thats the problem. They should have a memo like FEDEX, atleast they have the TIME to Deliver to you the item and if you can’t pay the tax they will be back if you called them. and not going to pasay EMS. what if you live far? the time travel, gas and effort is a waste of time. atleast they should deliver the item to including the tax memo.. thats just stupid.
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hi i want to inform our package to send mrs.emma s. guevarra sender by carmelita santiago…go to canada from philippines..why until now not recieve to emma guevarra?…the tracking number is EE205619723PH,FLIGHT NUMBER PR 0106…date in manila philippines feb.17,2011..feb.20,2011 was there in canada post office..bill number ED-0039,bag number 1…please as soon as possible to send,because they nid and we pay expensive…i hope to understand…
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this is not the correct place to lodge complaints about your items not reaching the recipients. please tell them to get in touch with the EMS office via the numbers provided. once again, i would like to warn everyone to refrain from posting personal information like package tracking numbers online. it’s very dangerous — your parcel may be claimed by complete strangers.
i would also like to remind everyone that i am no longer responding to individual queries, especially if the topics have already tackled in previous comments. please take the time to read through the entire comment thread — your answer may already be there. thank you and err carry on!
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Like some of the previous posters here, I’m a newbie when it comes to online shopping. Driven by my love for a certain manga title, and the length of time it takes for its English equivalent to be released here, I took the chance of ordering its latest volume from Japan, courtesy of BeNippon for JPY 490. I chose EMS, which they recommended due to being fast (and I wanted to read my manga as soon as possible. Heh.). Shipping cost was JPY 900, so that makes my purchase a total of JPY 1,390.
I read from their site that imports from Japan may be subject to customs charges, so I started researching approximately how much they will charge me IF I will ever be taxed, and honestly, after reading all the posts in this thread I’m bracing myself for the worst. The depth of corruption in this country is appalling, no wonder BoC has such a tarnished rep for being one of the most corrupt agencies in the Philippines.
So in closing, thank you very much for this very informative post. I’ll be crossing my fingers and pray to every god I know that my small package will be spared from the jaws of the BoC crocs. I hope they’re not so desperate as to charge 700+ for a single package that’s less than $20.
And I agree with what one poster here said: it’s really hard being a collector in the Philippines. 😦
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i should have found this site BEFORE i made a purchase. paid Php1450 today for a kotobukiya statue worth JPY6900. i was lucky about 2 months back because it was not held up in customs.
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Hello, just wanted to post the latest update regarding my purchase. Tracked my package today thru Japan Post and lo and behold – the latest update said “March 14: Attempted Delivery” right after “March 13: Arrival at inward office of exchange”! Seems that my prayers worked, ’cause Customs decided not to victimize…err, hold my item in their warehouse. Phew!
After seeing that, I immediately called EMS to ask why it failed when I specifically wrote in the address that they deliver it to my office, and to my delight the lady told me that they’ll attempt to deliver it again today. She also asked that I call later in the morning so we could check if the package is really on its way. So if all goes well, I should receive my manga today! Yay!
So in conclusion, the advice “keep your purchases small” really does work! Looks like this won’t be my last online purchase after all. I really learned a valuable lesson here, thanks to your post and the readers’ comments. Thanks, magnetic_rose! *hearts*
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Right now am also in a similar pickle with FEDEX over the shipment of an Artbook (which should exempt from taxes) and a a music CD. Although I’ve already paid for it am currently in battle mode with FEDEX billing dept to explain why a package with a 1kg weight is being charged $103 freight.
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Another follow up note on the Customs thing. It would seem that Customs is up to their old tricks like the stunt they tried back in 2009 with Florence agreement. Today I had to go to the NAIA to pick up a shipment of artbooks and was surprised they charged me 5% import and 12% VAT. (Before they were delivered to my house and only had to pay delivery fee)
Naturally I argued the Florence Agreement to them and they furnished out a copy of the treaty for me to peruse and told me Japan is not a signatory of the treaty and thus books are not tax free. Grudgingly I paid the tax, but could not shake the feeling something was off and so I hit the UNESCO website later and looked up a list of countries that are part of the treaty. Lo and behold! Japan status is Accession 1970(did some dictionary search and means joined up to the treaty) and the list of countries that left and joined the treaty and was updated last 2010.
So if you ever get the dreaded post card from customs for a books order be forewarned, they will try to bring out an outdated copy of the Treaty to settle your arguments with their billing.
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Hi po~ Gusto ko sanang umorder sa Yesasia ng kpop albums mga 10+ albums ung standrad shipping ung gagamitin ko ^_^
may possibility po ba na macustoms un or talagang sa Post Office lng ung bagsak nia?
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