Tips: Sending Gifts or Packages To the Philippines.

Before anything else I want you to know that all articles, when imported to the Philippines, are subject to duty upon each importation, even though previously exported there except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended, or in other laws.

Sending package to the Philippines is a big headache to you and to the recipient of your package if your not aware how it is done. Because Philippine government procedures in claiming your packages are designed to attempt custom officers do corruption.

Firstly, I recommend to get a service of a trusted door-to-door companies to send a package for you to avoid tricky custom procedures.

I will not recommend to send your balikbayan box direct to airline companies because claiming it here in the Philippines are going to challenge your patience and money.

For small Packages and Gifts you can send it via parcel or Postal just like sending a letter.
Tips:

1. Do not put any receipt or invoice in your gifts to send, to lessen payment of duties and taxes. As if it is for gifts not for commercial use.
2. Put a label in your gift ex: ( merry Christmas, happy birthday,gift from your dad, etc.) to inform custom officers that this package is a gift.
3. Write a detailed address of your recipient  include the postal code. For faster receiving of notice, and you can directly inquire to post office of your postal code if your package has arrived.

See also: How To Claim your parcel or package at Post Office Philippines.

See also: How To Compute Custom Duties and Taxes.

See also: My personal experience in Claiming my package.