How to Ship to the Philippines from the US
The Philippines has strong Filipino-American shipping volume — 'balikbayan boxes' (personal family gifts) are a cultural tradition and have preferential customs treatment. Regular commercial shipments face standard import duties.
PHLPost handles USPS final-mile delivery. Private couriers (DHL, LBC, JRS) handle express. Island geography makes some destinations slower to reach.
Typical 1 lb cost
$20-$45 USD (courier) / ~$0.30/lb (balikbayan sea freight)
Typical transit
3-60 business days (varies wildly by method)
Carrier Options to Philippines
Balikbayan Box (sea freight)
Personal gift boxes. 30-60 days sea freight. Tax-exempt under PHP 150,000 annually per family. Very affordable.
DHL Express Worldwide
3-5 business days to Metro Manila.
FedEx International Priority
3-5 business days.
USPS Priority Mail International
7-20 business days. PHLPost final-mile.
Customs Forms Required
Commercial invoice for courier shipments. Balikbayan boxes have special forms.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and ammunition without import permit
- ✕Pornographic material
- ✕Certain pharmaceuticals
- ✕Pirated/counterfeit goods
Philippines-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Balikbayan boxes are a cultural institution — family-scale personal shipments pay essentially no duty under PHP 150,000
- 💡 Use dedicated balikbayan box services (LBC, Atlas, Forex Cargo) for affordable sea freight
- 💡 For urgent/small items, DHL or FedEx is fastest
- 💡 Philippine addresses: Name + Barangay + City/Municipality + Province + ZIP (4 digits)
- 💡 Typhoon season (June-November) can cause delays
Frequently asked questions
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