# Philippines (PH)

**Capital:** Manila  
**Currency:** Philippine Peso (PHP) (PHP)  
**Population:** 112'729'484  
**Area:** 300'000 km²

> The Philippines is an archipelago market of over 7,600 islands where sea freight dominates. The Port of Manila (South Harbor and MICT) handles about 70 percent of international trade, complemented by Cebu, Davao, Subic and Batangas. Manila NAIA is the main air cargo hub, followed by Mactan-Cebu and Clark. Customs clearance is electronic via e2m and the National Single Window/TradeNet under the CMTA; import VAT is 12 percent. For Switzerland the EFTA-Philippines free trade agreement (in force since 1 June 2018) is relevant. Key risks are typhoons (June to November) and port congestion in Manila.

The Philippines (PH) is an archipelago market of more than 7,600 islands in Southeast Asia where sea freight dominates; the country is an electronics exporter and an ASEAN member (ATIGA, RCEP). Customs clearance runs electronically through the e2m system and the National Single Window/TradeNet under the CMTA (RA 10863); import VAT is 12 percent, and shipments up to PHP 10,000 FOB are exempt from duty and VAT (CAO 02-2025). For Swiss exporters, the EFTA-Philippines free trade agreement has been in force since 1 June 2018. The main gateways are the Port of Manila (South Harbor/MICT, around 70 percent of foreign trade), complemented by Cebu, Davao, Subic Bay and Batangas, plus the air-cargo hubs Manila NAIA, Mactan-Cebu and Clark. On land, the Pan-Philippine Highway and the RoRo Nautical Highway link the main islands; there is little freight rail. Key exports are electronics and semiconductors, coconut products and nickel; the main trading partners are the United States, China and Japan.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, JP, KR, US, SG

**Top Export Partners:** US, CN, JP, HK, SG

**Top Import Goods:** Erdölprodukte, Maschinen, Fahrzeuge, Elektronik, Chemikalien

**Top Export Goods:** Elektronik, Maschinen, Kokosprodukte, Nickel. Textilien

**Key Airports:**
- [Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/francisco-bangoy-international-airport-dvo)
- [Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mactan-cebu-international-airport-ceb)
- [Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ninoy-aquino-international-airport-mnl)
- [Allah Valley Airport (AAV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/allah-valley-airport-aav)
- [Bacolod-Silay Airport (BCD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bacolod-silay-airport-bcd)
- [Bancasi Airport (BXU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bancasi-airport-bxu)
- [Basco Airport (BSO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/basco-airport-bso)
- [Bicol International Airport (DRP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bicol-international-airport-drp)
- [Bislig Airport (BPH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bislig-airport-bph)
- [Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bohol-panglao-international-airport-tag)

**Key Seaports:**
- [Cebu (PH CEB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cebu-port-ph-ceb)
- [Manila (PH MNL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/manila-port-ph-mnl)
- [Batangas City (PH BTG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/batangas-city-port-ph-btg)
- [Cagayan De Oro (PH CGY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cagayan-de-oro-port-ph-cgy)
- [Mariveles (PH MVS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mariveles-port-ph-mvs)
- [Nasipit Port (PH NAS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/nasipit-port-ph-nas)
- [San Fernando Harbor (PH SFE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/san-fernando-port-ph-sfe)
- [Subic Bay (PH SFS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/subic-bay-port-ph-sfs)
- [Davao (PH DVO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/davao-port-ph-dvo)
- [Mangagoy (PH MGG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mangagoy-port-ph-mgg)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 12 Prozent VAT auf die Summe aus Zollwert, Zoll und allfälliger Verbrauchsteuer. De-minimis-Freigrenze 10'000 PHP FOB ohne Zoll und VAT (CAO 02-2025, gültig ab 7.5.2025).  
**Customs complexity:** mittel bis hoch  
**Customs system:** Elektronische Abfertigung über das e2m Customs System (Electronic-to-Mobile) und das Philippine National Single Window/TradeNet. Rechtsgrundlage ist der CMTA (Republic Act 10863).  
**Customs authority:** [Bureau of Customs (BOC)](https://customs.gov.ph)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Archipel-Markt mit Seefracht-Schwerpunkt; Elektronik-Exporthub und ASEAN-Drehscheibe  
**Economic area:** ASEAN / AFTA  
**Logistics risk:** mittel  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** mittel  
**Pharma/cold chain:** hoch

## FAQ

### Wie hoch ist die Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (VAT) auf den Philippinen?

Die Einfuhr-VAT beträgt 12 Prozent und wird auf die Summe aus Zollwert, Zoll und allfälliger Verbrauchsteuer erhoben. Sendungen bis 10'000 PHP FOB sind seit CAO 02-2025 von Zoll und VAT befreit.

### Welche Zollbehörde und welches System gelten für die Einfuhr?

Zuständig ist das Bureau of Customs (BOC). Die Abfertigung erfolgt elektronisch über das e2m Customs System und das Philippine National Single Window/TradeNet auf Basis des Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA, RA 10863).

### Profitieren Schweizer Exporteure von einem Freihandelsabkommen?

Ja. Das Freihandelsabkommen zwischen der EFTA und den Philippinen ist für die Schweiz seit dem 1. Juni 2018 in Kraft. Mit einer Ursprungserklärung oder einer EUR.1 können präferenzielle Zollsätze genutzt werden.

### Welche Häfen sind für die Containerfracht am wichtigsten?

Manila (South Harbor und MICT) wickelt rund 70 Prozent des internationalen Handels ab. Wichtige Ergänzungen sind Cebu, Davao, Subic Bay, Batangas und General Santos.

### Welche Flughäfen eignen sich für Luftfracht?

Hauptdrehscheibe ist Manila NAIA (MNL). Mactan-Cebu (CEB), Clark (CRK), Davao (DVO) und General Santos (GES, Thunfisch) sind weitere relevante Frachtflughäfen.

### Welche saisonalen Risiken bestehen?

Von Juni bis November herrscht Taifunsaison mit Starkregen und Überschwemmungen, die Häfen und Strassen zeitweise beeinträchtigen. Zusätzlich kann es in Metro Manila zu Hafenüberlastung und Staus kommen.

### Gibt es Export- und Sanktionskontrollen?

Ja. Der Strategic Trade Management Act (RA 10697) verlangt für strategische Güter der NSGL eine Genehmigung der STMO unter dem DTI. Die Philippinen setzen UN-Sanktionen um, verhängen aber keine eigenständigen Embargos.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://customs.gov.ph](https://customs.gov.ph)
- [https://customs.gov.ph/cmta/](https://customs.gov.ph/cmta/)
- [https://customs.gov.ph/guidelines-on-importation/](https://customs.gov.ph/guidelines-on-importation/)
- [https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/philippines/corporate/other-taxes](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/philippines/corporate/other-taxes)
- [https://info.tradenet.gov.ph/](https://info.tradenet.gov.ph/)
- [https://www.dti.gov.ph/dti-business-center/dti-strategic-trade](https://www.dti.gov.ph/dti-business-center/dti-strategic-trade)
- [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/philippines](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/philippines)
- [https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-70708.html](https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-70708.html)

*Last verified: 2026-07-28*

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