Online shopping has become increasingly popular in the Philippines in recent years, with the e-commerce market expected to reach US$7 billion by 2023 according to Statista. As one of the world‘s largest online retailers, Amazon is a popular choice for Filipino consumers looking to access a wide selection of products from abroad. But does Amazon actually ship to the Philippines? And if so, how does the process work and what should shoppers expect?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Amazon delivery in the Philippines. We‘ll look at Amazon‘s international shipping policies and capabilities, the specific process and requirements for getting orders delivered to the Philippines, and some expert tips for making your cross-border shopping experience go as smoothly as possible.
Amazon‘s International Reach
To start, let‘s take a high-level look at Amazon‘s global presence and international shipping operations. While Amazon started as a U.S.-based online bookseller, the company has rapidly expanded to become a massive worldwide retailer and technology platform. Today, Amazon operates e-commerce websites in 18 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions.
In terms of international reach, Amazon ships products to over 100 countries and territories across the globe. According to Amazon‘s 2020 Annual Report, over 30% of the company‘s net sales came from international markets. While exact figures aren‘t available, this likely amounts to tens of billions of dollars worth of products shipped to customers outside the U.S.
However, it‘s important to note that not all products sold on Amazon‘s various global sites are eligible for international shipping. Certain categories, such as very large or heavy items, hazardous materials, and some specialty products are restricted from cross-border delivery. Additionally, some products from third-party marketplace sellers on Amazon may not offer international shipping.
For products that are eligible for global delivery, Amazon provides a few different international shipping options depending on the destination country and the specific items ordered. These include standard international shipping, expedited international shipping, and the Amazon Global program which handles many cross-border shipping details like taxes and duties on behalf of the customer.
E-commerce Landscape in the Philippines
Before diving into the specifics of Amazon delivery to the Philippines, it helps to understand the broader e-commerce landscape in the country. The Philippines has a population of over 109 million people, with a rapidly growing middle class and increasing rates of internet and smartphone usage. In 2020, over 69 million Filipinos were active internet users according to Hootsuite.
This large and digitally-connected population has helped fuel strong growth in the Philippine e-commerce market. According to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, online retail sales in the country grew by over 55% from 2017 to 2020, reaching $1.2 billion. And e-commerce is expected to keep expanding rapidly, projected to account for 7.5% of all retail sales in the Philippines by 2023.
Within this growing market, some of the most popular local e-commerce sites include Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora. Major international players like Amazon also have a significant presence, although they face some unique challenges and considerations.
Key Challenges for Cross-Border E-commerce in the Philippines
While online shopping from international retailers has become increasingly accessible for Filipino consumers, there are still some key challenges and pain points to be aware of. Some of the main issues include:
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High shipping costs: International shipping fees to the Philippines can be quite expensive, especially for larger or heavier items. These costs may not always be clearly communicated upfront by retailers.
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Long delivery times: Orders from abroad can take several weeks to arrive in the Philippines due to distance, customs processing, and other logistics factors. Delays are not uncommon.
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Customs duties and taxes: Most orders above a certain value threshold are subject to import duties and taxes when they arrive in the Philippines. These fees can significantly increase the final cost to the buyer.
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Payment issues: Some international retailers may not accept common payment methods used in the Philippines, or may charge foreign transaction fees. Ensuring secure online payment can also be a concern.
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Product compatibility and returns: Ordering products like electronics from abroad raises questions about compatibility with Philippine outlets and voltage, warranties, and the ease of returning items if needed.
For Filipino shoppers, choosing a reputable international retailer with reliable shipping options, transparent prices and duties, and strong customer support can help mitigate these challenges. Amazon aims to address many of these issues for cross-border orders, although the process still involves extra considerations compared to domestic e-commerce.
Shipping to the Philippines with Amazon
So, how exactly does Amazon delivery to the Philippines work? The good news is that most items eligible for international shipping on Amazon‘s U.S. site (and some other global sites) can be delivered to the Philippines. However, there are some specific steps and requirements to be aware of.
Finding Items that Ship to the Philippines
First, it‘s important to check that the specific items you want to order are eligible for delivery to the Philippines. There are a few ways to do this:
- Look for an "International Shipping" filter in the search results on Amazon.com to only view items that can be delivered abroad.
- Check for an "International Shipping" sections or banner on product detail pages, which will indicate if the items can be shipped to your country.
- Visit the Amazon International Shopping portal to browse curated listings of products that can be shipped abroad.
Keep in mind that while millions of products on Amazon are eligible for international shipping, there are still many items that cannot be shipped to the Philippines. This may be due to restrictions based on the product category, material, size/weight, or the specific seller‘s policies.
Pricing, Fees, and Delivery Times
If an item can be shipped to the Philippines, Amazon will display the all-inclusive price for shipping during the checkout process. This total cost factors in the base price of the item, shipping and handling fees, and an estimate of import fees and taxes that may be due when the package arrives in the Philippines.
In terms of the shipping cost specifically, rates vary depending on the size, weight, value, and category of the items, as well as the specific shipping method you select. On average, small items like books or lightweight consumer goods will incur shipping fees of $5 to $15 per order for standard international shipping. For larger and heavier items, shipping fees can easily be $50 or more.
When it comes to shipping speeds, Amazon offers two main options for international delivery to the Philippines: standard and expedited. With standard international shipping, most orders will be delivered within 9 to 14 business days after the items are shipped and cleared customs. Expedited shipping can reduce the transit time to 3 to 7 business days, but comes with significantly higher shipping fees in most cases.
Duties, Taxes, and Customs Clearance
One of the most important things to be aware of when ordering from Amazon for delivery to the Philippines is that your packages will likely be subject to import duties and taxes upon arrival. The exact rates vary depending on the type of goods and their value, but in general, most orders totaling over PHP10,000 (about $200 USD) will have a customs fee.
By default, Amazon provides customers with an upfront estimate of the applicable duties and taxes during the checkout process. If you proceed with the order, you are essentially prepaying these fees to Amazon. Then, if the actual amount assessed by Philippines customs ends up being less than what you paid, Amazon will automatically refund you the difference.
This system aims to make the customs clearance process smoother and more predictable for customers, but it‘s not a guarantee. In some cases, your package may still be held at customs upon arrival in the Philippines and require further documentation or payment. If your items are not eligible for release, you would need to file a return request with Amazon for a refund.
Payment Methods and Currency
On Amazon‘s international sites, customers in the Philippines will see prices displayed in U.S. dollars rather than Philippine pesos. When completing an order, payment will also be processed in USD. The most common payment methods for Amazon orders shipping to the Philippines include:
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and other major international credit/debit cards
- Amazon.com gift cards or credits
- JCB, diners/CB, and some other regional card networks
Be aware that most Philippine banks will charge a foreign currency transaction fee (often around 1-2% of the total) for purchases made in USD. Additionally, some U.S.-issued credit cards may not be accepted for Amazon‘s international orders.
Tips for Amazon Shopping from the Philippines
Now that we‘ve covered the key things to know about how Amazon delivery to the Philippines works, here are some expert tips for making your experience go as smoothly as possible:
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Always check the delivery details before ordering: Make sure the items you want are eligible for shipping to the Philippines and double-check the estimated shipping fees and duties to understand the full cost. Be aware of estimated delivery times as well.
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Consolidate items into fewer shipments when possible: Since Amazon‘s international shipping and customs fees are per order, you can often save money by placing fewer, larger orders rather than many small orders. However, keep in mind that very high-value orders may have steeper import duties.
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Choose products with clear international compatibility: When ordering electronics, appliances, or other products with specific compatibility requirements, make sure to carefully read the details to ensure they will work properly in the Philippines.
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Be cautious with restricted or sensitive product categories: Some types of products, like food, cosmetics, baby items, and electronics are more likely to face additional customs scrutiny in the Philippines. Only order brands and items you know are fully compliant to avoid issues.
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Keep proof of purchase and tracking details: After placing an Amazon order, print or save the confirmation details and track the shipment carefully once it‘s on the way. Contact Amazon promptly if you experience any unexpected customs issues or delays.
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Know the return policies and process: Be sure to familiarize yourself with Amazon‘s international return policies before ordering. Note that many items shipped internationally cannot be returned, or will incur additional shipping fees for returns.
Comparing Amazon to Alternatives
For Filipino shoppers looking to purchase products from international retailers online, Amazon is far from the only option. There are a variety of other e-commerce sites and services that cater to cross-border shopping. Here‘s a quick comparison of how Amazon stacks up:
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Selection: Amazon offers a massive selection, but some of the most popular U.S. products and brands may not be eligible for shipping to the Philippines. Other sites focusing specifically on the Philippine market may curate more relevant products.
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Pricing: Amazon‘s base prices are often very competitive, but the added costs of international shipping and import fees can be significant. Other sites may subsidize these costs more or have different fee structures.
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Shipping speed: Amazon‘s standard international shipping to the Philippines is fairly typical at 9-14 days, with expedited options available. However, some sites may offer guaranteed express shipping or have better systems in place for customs clearance.
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Customer support: Reaching Amazon‘s customer support can be more challenging for international orders, with most issues handled via email or web forms rather than live channels. Local sites are more likely to have Philippines-based support teams.
Some popular alternatives to consider for online shopping from abroad include:
- MyUS.com: A package forwarding service that provides customers with a U.S. shipping address to use with any retailer, then forwards the items abroad.
- Shipping Cart: A Philippines-based service that handles orders from multiple U.S. and international retailers, including Amazon.
- Johnny Air Plus: A shipping and forwarding service that specializes in orders from the U.S. to the Philippines, with the option to combine packages.
- Other international retailers with local presence, like eBay or AliExpress.
Conclusion
While ordering products from Amazon for delivery to the Philippines involves some additional considerations and fees compared to shopping from domestic retailers, it is a viable and increasingly popular option for consumers looking for a wide selection of products. With millions of items eligible for international shipping, competitive prices, and reliable delivery options, Amazon can be a great choice for cross-border online shopping.
However, it‘s important for Filipino shoppers to carefully review the expected shipping costs, delivery times, and import duties when placing an Amazon order. Being aware of potential delays or extra fees can help avoid surprises. It‘s also a good idea to compare pricing and shipping options between Amazon and other retailers or forwarding services to find the best overall value.
By following the tips and guidance outlined in this article, online shoppers in the Philippines can confidently navigate the process of placing an order with Amazon‘s international store. Just be sure to factor in all of the costs, choose products wisely, and track orders carefully to ensure a smooth cross-border e-commerce experience.
