Australia Shipping - Import Regulations

Import Regulations - Philippines

The Philippines maintains a good trading relationship with Australia. In 2007-2008 two-way merchandise trade was valued at $2 billion, 13 per cent higher than in 2006-2007. Both governments consider there to be significant potential for growth.

Crude petroleum, copper ores and concentrates, medicaments, milk and cream were main Australian merchandise exports to the Philippines in 2007-2008.

Imports into Philippines are classified into three categories:
• regulated;
• unrestricted;
• prohibited.

Product certification, labelling and packaging
Animals and animal products of cattle, sheep, swine and goats require a certificate of ante- and post-mortem inspection.

Wheat flour requires a certificate of classification and analysis showing protein content, ash content, moisture and extraction for the particular brand or brands indicated in the invoice.

Essences, flavouring extracts and other preparations containing distilled spirits (ethyl alcohol) required a certificate giving the source and percentage content of the alcohol used in their manufacture.

A phytosanitary certificate, issued by the approved authority in Australia, accompanying imports of plants and plant products, must be forwarded to the plant quarantine authorities at the port of entry.

Food, drugs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics require certification that the items comply with Philippine specifications.

Drugs must be labelled with the product's generic name. It must appear above the brand name, in a larger typeface, enclosed in a border with a contrasting background.

Labels must be in English or Filipino with the following information:
• country of manufacture;
• brand, trademark or trade name;
• name and address of manufacture or repacker;
• net contents or weight;
• physical or chemical composition (where applicable);
• metric length.

Packing should be secure and guard against tropical dampness and heat. The use of rice, straw and chaff in packing is prohibited.

Documentary requirements
Please, pay attention that mail between Australia and the Philippines may be occasionally subject to delay and exporters should ensure that certification and dispatch (by air mail) of all documents is given the highest priority.

Three copies of commercial invoice are required. The following information must be shown:
• value of packing materials used in consignment;
• FOB value separate from the CIF or C&F value (Incoterms 1990);
• value of labour used in packing goods for export;
• pier and handling charges;
• freight to docks.

At least 3 signed negotiable and 5 nonnegotiable copies of bill of lading are required. The bill of lading must show gross weights, quantity and volume (in pounds and kilograms), freight and other charges.

5 copies of packing list are required. They must be certified by seller, manufacturer, exporter or his duly authorized representative.

Although Australia is not classified as an “infected area”, consignments containing gunnies, hessian cloth, burlaps, wood shavings, used clothing, hides, hair and wool products may sometimes be required to be fumigated.