Planning to ship from China to the Philippines? You landed on the right page!
For six straight years, China had become the Philippines’ largest trading partner and second-largest export market by 2021. Moreover, the recent official approval of the RCEP trade deal by the Philippines encourages business ties between China and the Philippines.
With all this in mind, you are indeed on the right path of export business!
In this post, we will learn about what initial planning you need to do to help you navigate the complexities when you ship from China to the Philippines.
We will also discuss the transit times, mode of shipping, and answers to all your shipping-related problems. Last but not least, we have some expert tips to help you ship from China to the Philippines successfully!
How to Import from China to the Philippines
You can ship from China to the Philippines via ocean freight, air freight, or express. Manila and Cebu airports will receive the vast majority of cargo coming from China.
In addition, you will need to gather the paperwork necessary for customs in both China and the Philippines. Last but not least, make sure that your importing from China should meet the regulations of the Philippines.
Sea freight from China to the Philippines
The Philippines is a group of more than 7,500 islands that are all arranged in a vertical chain. They are presently confronting Southern China as well as Taiwan. The Philippines and China both have maritime borders that they share.
If you are shipping packages that weigh more than 100 kilograms, it is typically more cost-effective to use ocean freight rather than air shipping.
The amount you will pay for ocean freight is determined by the dimensions of your shipment, the time of year, and the cruising speed of the shipping medium.
The cost can range anywhere from fifty dollars in US currency per shipment to nada. When the goods arrive in the Philippines, you will be billed the taxes and duties required in customs.
The Chinese government is constantly modernizing its numerous seaports in order to meet the ever-increasing demands of China’s burgeoning commercial sector.
If you meet any or all of the following criteria, you should consider using ocean freight:
- Your vendors are situated close to a major port in China.
- Your goods exceed 2 CBM in volume (sending heavy items)
- You are not in a hurry for the arrival of the shipment
Recommended Sea Shipping Companies
Here lists some of the most recommended sea shipping companies that you can trust:
- ZIM
- COSCO
- MSC
FBABEE cooperates with these shipping couriers to get you the best prices. Contact us for your custom price!
Air freight from China to the Philippines
Within the international freight industry, air freight has earned a reputation for being the most efficient method of transporting cargo.
This is the most practical choice when quick delivery and the least shipping times are a priority. In addition to being quick, air shipping is dependable, smooth, and well, costs more than sea freight!
You will be glad to know that both China and the Philippines have several airports that serve as ports of import and export for shipments of goods.
The amount of weight and volume of the package will determine the cost of air freight when you ship from China to the Philippines. Because of its high cost, you should only use it if you are in a hurry.
If the volume of your goods is less than 2 CBM and they weigh less than 200 kg, then shipping them via airplane might be a feasible choice for you. Air shipping guarantees the secure arrival of your cargo. High-value items will be protected rigorously in this shipping method.
Recommended Air Freight Shipping Company From China to the Philippines
Here lists some of the expert-recommended air freight shipping companies working in China and the Philippines:
- China Airlines Cargo
- Tri-MG Intra Asia
- MASkargo
- China Southern Cargo
- Philippines Airlines
International Express from China to the Philippines
Freight forwarding firms facilitate express shipments from China to the Philippines. The shipping cost from China to the Philippines is greater than those typically associated with air freight. But at the same time, the items will be delivered in a more secure and timely manner.
You can go with this choice if you need something quickly and the package weighs less than 200 kilograms or one cubic meter, respectively.
Recommended Express Shipping Companies
Below are some recommended express shipping companies that you can hire:
- FedEx – The global presence of FedEx is unbeatable. Its reach encompasses both nations. As with the vast majority of courier services, the arrival time is 2-3 days.
- UPS – UPS, just like FedEx, is an American business that delivers packages with keen responsibility. Moreover, it has a truly global reach.
- DHL Express – When it comes to shipping packages and parcels around the globe, DHL is by far the most well-liked provider. Within three to five working days, it can ship from China to the Philippines.
- TNT – TNT is also present in both nations, providing nearly identical services and terms. Choose any delivery service that best suits your needs and shipping cost from China to the Philippines. The costs and turnaround times are comparable too.
Important Note: Your imported goods sent to the Philippines will be inspected by customs to guarantee compliance with local laws. You’ll need to get your paperwork for customs processing and prepare to pay any applicable taxes or duties when the goods arrive.
If you’re having trouble getting your goods through customs, you can simply hire a customs broker to assist you.
Important Documents Required When Shipping from China to the Philippines
Once you learn how to import from China to the Philippines, the next step is to gather all the vital documents you need. You cannot ship from China to the Philippines without these documents.
The Philippine Customs will ask you to submit the following important documents before you send the goods. In case you are unable to show any of the documents mentioned below, you might get in trouble or face delays.
Here is the list of important documents you need to show:
- A supplemental declaration on valuation (SDV)
- A packing list
- An Airway Bill or Bill of Lading
- Proof of payment like a Letter of Credit
- Commercial Invoice
- Declaration of import for customs
- Certificate of the country of origin
- Other applicable certificates
Moreover, there are additional documents that they might also ask to make sure you are doing everything within the legal limits. These additional documents are:
- A Tax Debit Memos (TBM) or Tax Credit Certificate (TCC)
- Exemption from taxes
- Survey reports for break-bulk or bulk imports
- Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
- An import permit or license
- A Certificate of Product Registration issued by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration
To get more information on the document stuff, you can check out the China Customs and the Philippine Customs pages.
How Long is Shipping from China to the Philippines?
The time it takes to ship from China to the Philippines is highly variable. Transit time from China to the Philippines will be heavily influenced by some key factors.
Some of the top ones are the nature of the goods being shipped, the shipping method you chose, the mode of transportation used, the number and quantity of your goods, the duration of customs clearance, adverse weather conditions, and so on.
However, if conditions are favorable, packages shipped from China should arrive at their destination within two to thirteen days. For your convenience, we have compiled a summary of estimated shipping times from China to the Philippines:
- Air shipping: 2-3 days
- Sea shipping: 7-13 days
- Express shipping: 1-3 days
Here are lists of some main ports in China and the Philippines for your reference by sea freight:
| port/days | Batangas | Cebu | Davao | Manila |
| Shenzhen | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Xiamen | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Shanghai | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Ningbo | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Tianjin | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Dalian | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Qingdao | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 |
Shipping Cost From China to the Philippines
When you ship from China to the Philippines, the shipping cost from China to the Philippines varies. Many factors affect shipping costs, such as:
- Weight
The weight of your cargo determines the shipping cost from China to the Philippines. Heavier packages will be more expensive.
- Delivery Time
Freight forwarders send most packages regularly. Some packages require faster arrival and extra care. This includes after-hours dispatch to ship from China to the Philippines.
- Goods Type
Shipping delicate or hazardous items will definitely cost more.
Moreover, bad weather, customs fees, and surcharges can also increase your shipping cost from China to the Philippines. Keep in mind that the delivery price also includes tax.
Airfreight is more expensive than sea freight, at an average of $2 to $5 per kilogram. On the other hand, the average cost of sea freight is between $0.50 and $1 per kilogram, as reported by Alibaba.
Some of the top courier services, such as DHL, UPS, etc., typically cost $2 to $4 per kilogram, if you find freight forwarders. The official cost may be higher, you can get accurate shipping costs from China to the Philippines on the official website of DHL, UPS, or Alibaba.com Logistics.
Here lists some prices of the express from the official DHL, UPS, and FedEx for reference:
| Shipping Courier | Weight | Price (RMB) From | Price (PHP) From |
| DHL | 10 kg | 928 | 7326 |
| UPS | 10 kg | 1533 | 12097 |
| FedEx | 10 kg | 1416 | 11174 |
Tips for Cheaper Shipping Cost
As promised, here are some of the expert tips that will help you ship from China to the Philippines easily. Have a look below!
- Lower Tariff
The Philippines receives preferential tax treatment as a member of the ASEAN community. There are no tariffs on 98.6 percent of goods thanks to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), and the average tax rate in the Philippines is only five percent.
Import and export tariffs in the Philippines will be reduced or eliminated for some products following the country’s formal approval of the RCEP agreement; however, a Certificate of Origin will still be needed at customs in order to qualify for these tariff reductions.
- Legally Avoid Tax
While a high customs tax could cut into your earnings, there are legal ways to lower or avoid paying it altogether. Here is how you can do it:
- You can take benefit from the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act of the Philippine government. (RA 11534).
- A Customs Bonded Warehouse program allows for the temporary admission of goods into the nation for importation.
- You might be eligible for a customs tariff exemption or decrease.
- Negotiate with Suppliers
Bargaining can always help if done at the right time, and in the right manner. You can bargain with your suppliers to offer the most reliable shipping cost from China to the Philippines for easy export.
- Choose LCL in Seafreight
In shipping, LCL indicates less than a container load. If your time is available, it is more cost-effective than airfreight.
When shipping LCL, you only have to pay for the space you use, unlike paying a fixed fee in the case of FCL. Also, LCL is often more readily available and faster than FCL during peak shipping periods.
- Proper Packing and Labeling
Your packages need to adhere to the labeling requirements in the Philippines. Doing so will save you a lot of money on shipping costs from China to the Philippines. You must know how to properly label your product if you plan on sending it to an Amazon warehouse.
FAQs About China to the Philippines Shipping
What can’t be shipped from China to the Philippines?
Knowing what you can and cannot ship from China to the Philippines can help you avoid unnecessary delays and headaches in the future.
You should consult the professionals right away if you own any of the following items. There are strict regulations and outright bans on importing some of these products, so it’s best to plan ahead.
The following are restricted products that are only allowed under extremely stringent legal guidelines:
- Knives
- Tobacco
- Used clothing and rags
- Hazardous waste, even in transit into the Philippine territory
- Ivory
- Batteries
- Drugs
- Flammables
- Poison
- Used clothing and rags
- Explosives
- Chemicals
- Corrosives
- Any adulterated or misbranded articles of food
- Lottery and sweepstakes tickets
- Opium pipes and parts
- Counterfeit
- Live piranha, shrimp, and prawns
- Laundry and industrial detergents containing hard surfactants
- Toy Guns
For more information, you can see the official website of the Philippines government.
How to find a reputable supplier in China to the Philippines shipping?
If you look around on Chinese marketplaces, you can find reputable suppliers to help you ship from China to the Philippines. You can also find a trustworthy supplier by spending some time searching online marketplaces such as Alibaba or Made in China.
Additionally, you can employ a sourcing agent to assist you with how to ship from China to the Philippines.
We recommend choosing a worldwide forwarding agent if you need to ship goods internationally in bulk.
After you have found a potential supplier to ship from China to the Philippines, it is time to negotiate the price as well as the terms of the transaction. These terms include the delivery time as well as the shipping options you have.
Can I ship from China to the Philippines on Alibaba?
Yes, you can!
In terms of speed and convenience, Alibaba is unmatched as a B2B and B2C marketplace. They provide a range of services and resources designed to improve the efficiency, security, and overall smoothness of your international sourcing.
Alibaba can provide a large number of dependable shipping services and agents if you want to ship from China to the Philippines.
On Alibaba, you can select not only the merchandise you want to get your hands on but also the logistics service. All you need to do is to sign in to the website and complete the application form available.
Do I need door-to-door service when shipping from China to the Philippines?
It usually depends on you and your demands. Door-to-door service eliminates the need to transport your belongings to the port. This is because a shipping agent gathers them up and delivers them directly to their destination. Shipping cost from China to the Philippines is typically around $2 per kilogram when we talk about door-to-door.
It’s possible to reduce costs by negotiating with your vendor or by searching for alternatives on Alibaba. Customers are also relieved of any participation in the door-to-door shipping process, making it even easier. Door-to-door service also provides a more secure and safe journey for the freight.
FBABEE provides a true door-to-door service, we can pick up your products from your suppliers in Shenzhen and Dongguan for free or contact your suppliers to send products to our warehouse. Your products will be shipped to Amazon FBA warehouse smoothly with FBABEE!
How to track China to the Philippines shipping?
It’s feasible to track a Chinese package. You need to know how shipments work and which resources to use. When you use an agent or a site like Alibaba to ship from China to the Philippines, you’ll be given a tracking number to follow places your package.
A typical Chinese package tracking number will look like this: alphabetic characters + 9 numbers + 2 alphabetic characters. You can find out when and where your package is by using the information given by these tracking numbers.
Conclusion
Choosing which method is the best for you to ship from China to the Philippines, what tips can help you, what important documents you need, and how to reduce the shipping cost from China to the Philippines, we tried to cover all in the above post.
Hopefully, you’ve learned everything you needed to know and are all set to ship from China to the Philippines like a pro!