TELEPHONE: Country code 63 + area code

STANDARD TIME: GMT +8 hours

WEIGHTS & MEASURES: Metric

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 60Hz Two pin plugs

INOCULATIONS/VACCINATIONS: Recommended Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 Jan, 24 Feb, 9 & 10 Apr, 4 May, 15 Jun, 30 Aug, 21 Sep, 1, 30 Nov 25, 30, 31

OFFICE HOURS: 0800–1200 and 1300–1700 Mon–Fri; some offices open 0800–1200 Sat

BANK HOURS: 09.00-15.00 Monday – Friday

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Fire, Ambulance, Police 166 & 117

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY: British Embassy
Floors 15-17 LV Locsin Building 6752 Ayala Avenue
Corner of Makati Avenue
1226 Makati Manila
Tel: 2 580 8700
Fax:28197206

UK EMBASSY: 9A Palace Green London, W8 4QE
Tel: 02073 614 641 Fax: 02079372925 www.philemb.org.uk

TOURIST & TRAVEL INFORMATION: T.M. Kalaw Street Rizal Park Ermita, 1000 METRO, MANILA, Tel: (02) 5241703 Fax: (02) 7224673.

Moving to Philippines from the UK – Information and Advice: Relocation Guide

Customs

To the best of our knowledge, the following documentation is required to import household and personal effects into the Philippines. However, it is advisable to check with the authorities that documentation is in order, prior to dispatch.

Household goods and personal effects Returning Residents
Documents Required:

• Original passport
• Sea Waybill (Express Release BL) is preferred
• Packing list

Each person is entitled to a personal exemption of PhP10.000. Amount of duties assessed by Customs after deducting the personal exemption entitlement will have to be paid. The rate of duty is 50% of the dutiable value and a Value Added Tax of 10% shall be applied to the total landed cost. Port storage is free for five days while demurrage for containerized shipments will be charged normally after five days from vessel arrival.

A returning resident is one who is a holder of a Philippine passport and has been away from the country for a minimum period of uninterrupted stay abroad of six months. Tax exemption for the shipment is secured from the Department of Finance upon presentation of original passport and copies of shipping documents shipment must arrive in the Philippines within 60 days from shippers ‘arrival.

Non-Residents with a 9 (g) 9 (d) 47 (a) 2 or 13A visa

Documents Required:

• Original passport with a stamped 9 (g), 9 (d), 47 (a), 2 or 13A visa
• Sea Way bill (Express Release BL)
• Original packing list.

All household goods and personal effects are duty / tax free. Port storage is free for five days while demurrage for containerized shipments will be charged normally after 10 days from vessel arrival.

The different visa status for non-residents are:

• 9 (g)–pre-arranged employee
• 9 (d) – treaty traders
• 47 (a) – 2 investors visa
• 13 A – Permanent resident visa

Shippers with these types of visas upon arrival in the Philippines are entitled to tax exemption secured from Department of Finance (DOF) upon presentation of the original passport with the stamped visa plus copies of the shipping documents.

Shipment must arrive in the Philippines within 90 days from shipper’s latest arrival.

Officials

Officials / Employees of Regional Offices or holders of an Executive Order no. 226 (EO 226)

Documents Required:

• Original passport with a stamped EO 226 visa.
• Sea Waybill (Express Release BL) is preferred
• Packing list
• Company registration with SEC (copy)
• Official list of expatriates
• Latest in ward remittance.

All household goods and personal effects are duty/tax free. Port storage is free for five days while demurrage for containerized shipments will be charged normally after five days from vessel arrival.

Shippers with E0226 visa upon arrival in the Philippines are entitled to tax exemption secured from Department of Finance (DOF) upon presentation of the original passport with the stamped visa plus copies of the shipping documents.

Shipment must arrive in the Philippines within 90 days from shipper’s latest arrival.

Diplomats Removals

Documents Required:
• Note verbal approval
• Sea Waybill (Express Release BL) is preferred • Original packing list

All household goods and personal effects are duty/tax free. Port storage is free for five days and demurrage for containerized shipments will be charged normally after five days from vessel arrival.

Diplomats are holders of a 9(E) visa. Must be in the Philippines to submit Credentials to the Embassy, etc for their agency to secure Diplomatic before a Request for the Tax Exemption can be applied. The diplomatic agency will request for tax exemption through a note verbal letter addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs who will in turn endorse the request to the Department of Finance. 9(E) visa holders are entitled to bring in a car duty/tax free.

Temporary Visitors, Tourists

Documents Required:

• Original passport
• Sea Waybill (Express Release BL) is preferred
• Original packing list

All household goods and personal effects are subject to a 15% rate of duty and a 12% rate of tax.

Temporary visitors/tourists are holders of a 9(a) visa and do not have any tax exemption privilege. They can only be allowed to have their shipment cleared duty/tax free if they have a pending application with a Commission on Immigration and Deportation for a change of visa status to 9 (g), 9 (d), 47 (a), 2, 13 (a) or E. O 226.

A bond must be posted for the conditional release of the shipment pending visa approval. The bond is good for three months and can be extended for another three months after which the bond has to be cancelled once the visa is approved. The amount of the bond is computed at 150% of the amount of taxes/duties assessed, mover will charge Posting / Cancellation of the Cash Bond of approx. US$450.00).

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required:

• Sea Way bill (Express BL)
• Prior authority to import secured from the Bureau of Import Services (BIS)
• Original car registration
• Invoice and certificate of title for new cars
• Car keys
• DFA certification of passport
• CID certification of arrival

Duty and tax free for diplomats. Returning residents. Dual Citizens and holders of 13g or 13A can bring in cars and are subject to pay around 200% of car book value for duties and taxes.

Cars not exceeding 1500kgs kerb weight and 2800cc engine displacements can be imported. The car must be registered under consignee’s name for at least twelve months. For returning residents you should have stayed abroad continuously for one year.

Pets

Documents Required:

• Airwaybill
• Import permit from Philippines Bureau of Animal Industry
• Health and vaccination certificates

Pets are subject to payment of 5% duty of original value of the animal and 12% tax.

An import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry is very important for the importation of pets either as cargo or with the shipper/owner.

Prohibited Items

• Firearms: ammunition and explosives unless licensed in advance
• Obscene literature, photographs, or films
• Politically undesirable literature
• Marijuana
• Poppy, cocoa leaves, heroin, opium, and other prohibited drugs, misbranded and adulterated drugs and foodstuffs
• Gambling machines and paraphernalia
• Transceivers
• Perishable items/food

Food

We strongly recommend that shippers be advised not to ship any commercially prepared and purchased food product with your unaccompanied personal goods.

This includes wines, spirits, beer, cider, spices, herbs, canned packed or wrapped foods, pet food, pastas, rice, food supplements, vitamins, fruit juices, carbonated / non- carbonated drinks, milk, perishable foods, dry foods and any other item intended for human or animal consumption.

If the shipper insists on shipping food items, the specified information below must be gathered and provided for each food item imported. If the information is not provided, the food items may face refusal of entry, requiring segregation / manipulation of the shipment under customs supervision at a bonded facility, at substantial additional cost. Costs could be in the thousands of dollars and cannot be anticipated. These costs will be the responsibility of the client.

• Product brand name
  • Product classification
  • Country of production
  • Country of packaging
  • Type of product (canned, bottled, packaged)
• Quantity

General Information on the Republic of Philippines

Background

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-yeartransition.

In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20- year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a “people power” movement in Manila (“EDSA 1”) forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA’s stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another “people power” movement (“EDSA 2”) demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL- ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations, but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government’s Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades- long Maoist-inspired New People’s Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Geography

The Philippines are in South-eastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam.

The terrain is mostly mountainous with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands.

The capital of the Philippines is Manila which is located on Luzon Island.

International Disputes

The Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The 2002 “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea”, has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding “code of conduct” desired by several of the disputants. In March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands. Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia’s’ Sabah State in Northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu’s granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf.

Climate

The climate is tropical and maritime. It is characterised by relatively high temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. The northeast monsoon is from November to April and the south west monsoon is May to October.

Population

It is estimated at 89,500,000.

Environmental Issues

Uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas is an environmental issue as well as soil erosion, air and water pollution in major urban centres, coral reef degradation and increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds.

Currency

The currency of the Philippines is the peso (PHP), which is divided into 100 centavos. Major credit cards are widely accepted in the cities and tourist destinations.

Health

No special vaccination certificates are required, except by travellers entering the Philippines from an area infected with yellow fever. There is a malaria risk in parts of the Philippines and visitors should seek medical advice before travelling. Urban areas are generally considered risk-free. Dengue fever is a risk throughout the country. The best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites. Tap water is not safe to drink and ice in drinks should be avoided. Cholera is a risk in the country and precautions are advised. Rabies is endemic. Medical care is good in the major cities, although very expensive, however, it is limited in the remoter areas. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Economy

The economy has weathered global economic shocks better than its regional peers due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from four- to five-million overseas Filipino workers, and a rapidly expanding outsourcing industry. The current account balance has recorded consecutive surpluses since 2003, international reserves remain at comfortable levels, and the banking system is stable; the stock market resumed an upward trajectory in 2014, climbing to new record highs during the first four months of 2015. Efforts to improve tax administration and management of expenditures have helped ease the Philippines’ tight fiscal situation and reduce debt levels. Nevertheless, government taxation and spending remain weak. The Philippines has received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its deficits. Economic growth has accelerated, averaging 6.0% per year from 2011-2014, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; competitiveness has improved; and foreign direct investment hit a historic high in 2014, although it continues to lag compared with the rest of the region. Unemployment has remained high, hovering at around 7% of the population, and underemployment is nearly 20%. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector and poverty afflicts about a quarter of the population. The AQUINO administration has been working to boost expenditures for education, health, transfers to the poor, and other social spending programs. Infrastructure remains underfunded and the government is relying on the private sector to help with major projects under its Public- Private Partnership program. Other long-term challenges include reforming governance, the judicial system, and the regulatory environment, and improving the ease of doing business. The Philippine Constitution and other laws restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors – such as land ownership and public utilities. Some progress has been made in establishing a Customs Modernization Act to meet international standards and commitments.

Religion

Mainly Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3@ Aglipayan 2% other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%.

Education

The number of schools has grown rapidly in all three levels – elementary, secondary and tertiary. From the mid 1960’s up to the early 1990’s there was an increase of 58% in the elementary schools and 362% in the tertiary schools. For the same period, enrolment in all three levels also rose by 120%. More than 90% of the elementary schools and 60% of the secondary schools are publicly owned. However, only 28% of the tertiary schools are publicly owned.

A big percentage of tertiary-level students enrol in and finish commerce and business management courses.

Literacy rates in the Philippines have improved a lot over the last few years from 72% in 1960 to 94% in 1990. This is attributed to the increase in both the number of schools built and level of enrolment in these schools.

Although every care is taken to ensure that all information in the Relocation Guide is accurate and up to date we cannot accept liability for any inaccuracy.