Are you looking to ship a care package to loved ones in Manila? Trying to tap into the booming Filipino ecommerce market? Whatever your reasons for shipping to the Philippines, the United States Postal Service has you covered with an array of reliable and affordable international shipping options.
With over 4 million Filipinos living in the U.S. and the Philippine ecommerce industry projected to reach $12 billion by 2025, the demand for shipping between the two countries has never been higher. But navigating international shipping can feel overwhelming with so many different services, forms, and regulations to consider.
Don‘t worry—we‘re here to break it all down for you! In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about USPS shipping to the Philippines. You‘ll learn about:
- The different USPS services for shipping to the Philippines and how to choose the right one
- Delivery timeframes and pricing for each service
- What you can and cannot ship to the Philippines
- Customs forms, duties, and taxes
- Packing your shipments properly
- Tracking your packages
- Buying insurance and filing claims
- Managing your recipient‘s expectations
By the end of this post, you‘ll be fully equipped to ship to the Philippines like a pro. Let‘s dive in!
USPS Services for Shipping to the Philippines
USPS offers four main options for shipping to the Philippines:
- Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)
- Priority Mail Express International (PMEI)
- Priority Mail International (PMI)
- First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS)
So which service should you choose? It really depends on your specific needs and priorities. Let‘s take a closer look at each one:
Global Express Guaranteed (1-3 business days, starting at $101)
GXG is the fastest international shipping service from USPS. It‘s the best option if you need to get something to the Philippines in a hurry, with delivery in 1-3 business days. GXG comes with date-certain delivery and a money-back guarantee if your package takes longer than 3 days.
Other key features of GXG include:
- Tracking and up to $100 insurance included
- Free shipping supplies (envelopes, labels, stickers, etc.)
While GXG is the quickest option, it‘s also the most expensive, with rates starting at $101. However, if speed is your top priority, it‘s worth the investment.
Priority Mail Express International (3-5 business days, starting at $68.90)
PMEI is another great option if you need fast delivery to the Philippines. Packages usually arrive in 3-5 business days, although USPS does not offer a money-back guarantee to the Philippines like it does for some other countries.
PMEI still comes with great features like:
- Tracking included
- Up to $200 insurance for merchandise, $100 for documents
- Flat-rate pricing available (starting at $68.90) if using USPS-provided boxes or envelopes
The lack of a guarantee is the main downside compared to GXG, but PMEI is still a speedy and reliable choice. It hits a sweet spot with faster delivery than standard options but lower prices than GXG.
Priority Mail International (6-10 business days, starting at $55.05)
For a balance of speed and affordability, it‘s hard to beat PMI. With delivery times of 6-10 business days, it‘s significantly faster than First Class while still being very economical, especially if you use flat-rate packaging.
Key benefits of PMI include:
- Tracking included
- Up to $200 insurance for merchandise, $100 for documents
- Very attractive flat rates starting at just $55.05 for many packages under 70 lbs
The main trade-off is slightly slower delivery compared to PMEI. But unless you need it there in under a week, PMI offers the best overall value and is the most popular USPS service for packages.
First-Class Package International (1-4 weeks, starting at $15.25)
If cost is your main concern and delivery time is flexible, then FCPIS is the way to go. As USPS‘ most economical international option, you can ship a package up to 4 lbs for as little as $15.25.
However, FCPIS has a few notable limitations:
- Maximum weight of 4 lbs per package
- No tracking available to the Philippines
- No included insurance (can be added for a fee)
- Very slow delivery times up to 4 weeks
Unless you‘re shipping something small, lightweight and low-value that you don‘t need to arrive quickly, you‘re usually better off spending a bit more for Priority Mail. But if every dollar counts, FCPIS is your cheapest option.
What You Can and Cannot Ship to the Philippines
The Philippines restricts or prohibits a variety of items from being imported into the country. Some key examples of things you cannot ship include:
- Coffee (in any form)
- Firearms, weapons, and ammunition (including replicas)
- Gambling devices
- Lottery tickets and related advertisements
- Perishable items
- Radioactive materials
- Negotiable instruments like cash, checks, money orders (only allowed in registered mail)
This is not an exhaustive list, so always check with USPS and the Philippines Postal Corporation if you are unsure about any items. You are responsible for the contents of your package complying with the law.
Customs Forms
Any packages being shipped internationally must clear customs in the destination country. For the Philippines, you‘ll need to complete a customs declaration form describing the contents and value of your items.
For GXG, PMEI and PMI packages over $400 in value, you‘ll need to fill out a complete customs form with an itemized list (USPS Form PS2976-R). For PMI packages under $400, you can use the simpler PS2976 short form. FCPIS always uses the short form unless it contains potentially dutiable items like merchandise.
It‘s important to fill out customs forms accurately and completely to avoid delays or rejection of your package. Provide a clear, specific description of each item and its value. Never try to understate the value to avoid duties – this is illegal.
Speaking of duties, any fees assessed by Philippine customs will be paid by the recipient upon delivery. This is standard with international shipping. You can choose to pre-pay duties but this is very complex to arrange.
Packing and Shipping Your Items Safely
The long journey from the US to the Philippines can be rough on packages. Your items could get tossed around quite a bit in transit. To ensure your precious cargo arrives in one piece, proper packing is essential.
Some key packing tips include:
- Choose a sturdy box with room for cushioning material on all sides
- Wrap each item individually
- Use plenty of packing peanuts, air pillows, or other cushioning to prevent shifting
- Tape all seams securely with packing tape
- Remove any old labels or markings on the box
- Clearly write the recipient‘s address and your return address
- Include an extra address label inside the box in case the outer label is damaged
If you are shipping anything fragile, liquid, perishable or potentially hazardous, be sure to follow USPS guidelines for those items. You may need special packaging or labels.
Tracking Your Package
Once your package begins its journey, you‘ll naturally want to keep tabs on its progress. The ability to track your shipment depends on which service you chose.
GXG, PMEI, and PMI all come with USPS Tracking included. You‘ll receive a tracking number you can use to check your package status online or via phone/email updates.
Unfortunately, FCPIS does not include tracking to the Philippines. Once it leaves the US, you likely won‘t receive any further scan events.
While your package is trackable before the handoff, be aware that USPS tracking may have limited information or updates once your items arrive in the Philippines. At that point, the Philippine Postal Service takes over final delivery. Many shippers find that their package appears stalled or stuck once there, but it is usually still on the way to its final destination.
Insurance Claims
Shipping to the Philippines is very reliable overall, but occasionally items may be lost or damaged along the way. This is where shipping insurance can provide some peace of mind.
All PMEI and PMI options include $200 of insurance for merchandise or $100 for documents. For FCPIS and GXG, insurance is not included but can be added on up to $5000.
If your insured package does not arrive safely, you can file an insurance claim to request reimbursement. Just be sure to hold on to your original mailing receipt and any evidence of value. Claims must typically be filed within a specified timeframe.
For uninsured packages, your options are limited, but you can try contacting USPS customer service about missing mail. There is a small chance they can open a case to try to locate it.
Setting Expectations With Your Recipient
If you‘re shipping a gift or important documents to someone in the Philippines, you‘ll want to communicate with them to ensure a smooth delivery. Make sure you have their complete and correct address, including postal code.
It‘s also a good idea to give your recipient a heads up that a package is on the way and what carrier service (PMEI, PMI, FCPIS, etc) you chose. Let them know the estimated delivery timeframe to expect but caution them that delays are possible with international shipping.
If you have tracking available, consider sharing the tracking number with your recipient. But make sure they know that tracking may not update once the package is handed off to Philippine Post.
Finally, remind your recipient that, as with most international shipments, they will be responsible for any resulting customs duties or taxes. This avoids any unpleasant surprises upon delivery.
Conclusion
While shipping to the Philippines may seem intimidating at first, USPS makes it surprisingly simple and affordable these days. Whether you‘re sending a small gift to a friend in Quezon City or a large commercial shipment to a customer in Cebu, USPS has a variety of reliable options to meet your needs.
Just remember to:
- Choose the USPS service that best fits your budget and delivery speed requirements
- Check restricted/prohibited item lists to ensure your package contents are allowed
- Fill out the customs form accurately and completely
- Pack your items securely to protect them on the journey
- Buy insurance for valuable items
- Provide tracking info to your recipient and set expectations about delivery timeframe and duties
By following these guidelines and the other tips outlined above, you‘ll be able to ship to the Philippines with confidence. So what are you waiting for? Grab those packing peanuts and get shipping!
