Frequently Asked Questions

Customs regulation varies from one country to another country. If you are doing an online order you need to check the website because part of the information available for an online order is the destination charges. Destination Charges includes customs charges and other cost related custom during the importation of the said online order. For PH, if the FOB/FCA value of the said commodity is less than PHP 10,000.00, the Bureau of Customs does not collect duty and tax. Correct value declaration is critical to avoid problem with customs clearance.
Customs regulation varies from country to country. For PH, if the value of goods exceed the country deminimis of PHP 10,000.00, Bureau of Customs may impose additional charges in the form of duties and taxes. It is important that shipper declares the correct value of the shipment to avoid delays with Customs Clearance.

Online ordering website will usually show you the charges. Due diligence needs to be exercised in order to ensure that you understand what the total covers for your online order. If it is not clear always ask the online seller.
Online ordering website may show you the cost of goods and freight. Unless the website provides clear breakdown of all charges, you may need to verify from the seller if destination Customs Charges have been included.
Customs regulation varies from country to country. For PH, if the value of goods exceed the country deminimis of PHP 10,000.00, Bureau of Customs may impose additional charges in the form of duties and taxes. It is important that shipper declares the correct value of the shipment to avoid delays with Customs Clearance.

In the normal scheme of things, online ordering is cheaper because you order direct from seller. This is primarily because for local purchasing the seller would have included the same importation cost plus other charges related to business operations i.e. marketing cost, lease, local taxes, employee salary to name a few which is not applicable when you do the online ordering.

Customs regulation varies from country to country. For PH, if the value of goods exceed the country deminimis of PHP 10,000.00, Bureau of Customs may impose additional charges in the form of duties and taxes. It is important that shipper declares the correct value of the shipment to avoid delays with Customs Clearance. So if the commodity value exceeds PHP 10,000.00, although may have been sent as Gifts or Samples, will incur duty and taxes.

You may have to validate with the seller their return policy which should include all charges incurred at the destination country. Refund process for each country will vary. In PH, the minimum amount which Customs will allow refund to be processed is PHP 5,000.00 and filing of refund should be done by the importer. You may process the refund according to the Refund and Abatement as extracted from the CMTA:
"REFUND AND ABATEMENT
"SEC. 903. Refund of Duties and Taxes. – Refund shall be granted where it is established that duties and taxes have been overcharged as a result of an error in the assessment or goods declaration. Where permission is given by the Bureau for goods originally declared for a customs procedure with payment of duties and taxes to be placed under another customs procedure, a refund shall be made of any duties and taxes charged in excess of the amount due under the new procedure, subject to such regulation issued for the purpose.

"A refund shall not be granted if the amount of duties and taxes involved is less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00): Provided, That the Secretary of Finance, in consultation with the Commissioner, may adjust the minimum amount specified in this Act, taking into account the CPI, as published by the PSA."

Customs duty is calculated based on value of the goods (Cost of goods), Insurance and Freight (CIF). Value Added Tax (VAT) is computed based on Dutiable Value (CIF Value) + Customs Duty (if there is any)+ Brokerage Fee PHP 700.00 (flat rate for shipment with declared value of below PHP 50,000.00. If more than PHP 50,000.00 applicable, customs brokerage fee table applies) + Customs Documentary Stamp of PHP 30.00 (flat rate for below PHP 50,000.00. If more than PHP 50,000.00 Customs Documentary Stamp is at PHP 295.00) + Import Process Fee PHP 0.00 for up to below PHP 50,000.00). For more information on Duty and Tax computation, click here:http://customs.gov.ph/customs-101-computation-of-duties-and-taxes/

The Delivery charges is not included. Rather, it is the Freight that is a component for the computation of the dutiable value. For more information about duty and tax calculation, you may follow this link: http://customs.gov.ph/boc_tax_calc_informal.php

Customer will receive a link through email notification/SMS and will be directed to a payment portal for payment. Customer may choose the preferred payment methods that are available in the payment portal to complete the payment online.

The sender has the option of nominating to pay the destination Duties and Taxes on the Waybill and Commercial Invoice. This wasn’t done if you’ve been invoiced for the Duties and Taxes.
However these charges can be reversed to the shipper if they confirm to DHL Express in writing that they’ll accept the charges being reversed to them. This service can only be utilized in case the shipper has a valid DHL Express trade account.