Can I send cosmetics to the Philippines?
Yes, with conditions.
Within personal-use limits: 5 perfumes, 10 lipsticks, 2 kg each of shampoo, lotion, and bar soap, and 1 kg of other cosmetics. No aerosols or nail polish.
For every Onvoyo box: No aerosols, perfume, nail polish or other flammable liquids. Keep liquids sealed and bagged.
More rules for the Philippines
Allowed with conditions
- Cosmetics and toiletries
- Personal-use limits without FDA clearance: 5 perfumes, 10 lipsticks, 2 kg each of shampoo, lotion, and bar soap, and 1 kg of other cosmetics. Each limit covers everything in that category, not each brand.
Quantity limits
- Cosmetics, toys, and childcare items (baggage, balikbayan boxes, and parcels)
- Without FDA clearance: 5 perfumes, 10 lipsticks, 2 kg each of shampoo, lotion, and bar soap, 1 kg of other cosmetics, 10 toys, and 5 kg of childcare articles.
Before you ship to the Philippines
- Tax-free limit
- Shipments with an FOB or FCA value (the goods alone, without shipping) of PHP 10,000 (about USD 160) or less pay no duty or VAT. Declare a specific value for every item: customs won't give express release to boxes marked "no commercial value" or "for customs purposes only". Medicines, food, cosmetics, and other regulated goods still have to meet agency rules unless they are for personal use and within set limits. Consignments from the same sender to the same receiver on one courier manifest are added together, and at PHP 50,000 or more they need a formal entry.
- Receiver ID
- No tax number is needed to receive a personal box. The courier needs the receiver's full name, address, and mobile number, and may ask for a copy of a valid ID. Returning residents who claim duty-free entry need a Tax Identification Number (TIN) to apply for the Department of Finance's Tax Exemption Indorsement.
- Transit
- 3-6 business days from Asia; 4-8 from North America, Europe, or the Middle East
Questions
Can I send cosmetics to the Philippines?
Yes, with conditions. Within personal-use limits: 5 perfumes, 10 lipsticks, 2 kg each of shampoo, lotion, and bar soap, and 1 kg of other cosmetics. No aerosols or nail polish.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and Bureau of Customs
Joint Circular No. 1: Importation of FDA-DOH Regulated Products for Personal Use (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Bureau of Animal Industry (posted by the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C.)
Memorandum Circular No. 48, Series of 2021: Veterinary Quarantine Guidelines for the Import of Meat Intended for Personal or Non-Commercial Use (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Bureau of Customs
Guidelines on Arriving Travelers (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library
Republic Act No. 4653 - An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring It a National Policy to Prohibit the Commercial Importation of Textile Articles Commonly Known as Used Clothing and Rags (opens in a new tab) - 5.
- 6.
Bureau of Customs (via Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library)
Customs Administrative Order No. 01-2018 - Amended Rules on Consolidated Shipment of "Balikbayan Boxes" (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library
Republic Act No. 10863 - An Act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the Philippines makes the final decision on every box.