How to Import Food Products to the Philippines

Food products are among the most highly regulated commodities in the Philippines because they directly impact national security and public health. Under the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA 10611), the government is mandated to maintain a “farm-to-fork” regulatory system to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses and adulterated products. 

In 2026, importing foodstuffs to the country is defined by two factors: 

1. Increased digitalization through the TradeNet system ,and 
2. Stricter oversight on packaging via the new Food-Contact Article (FCA) guidelines.

In this article, we will discuss the steps and requirements before you can start importing food products in the Philippines. 

Regulatory Bodies that Govern Food Products in the Philippines

The Philippine’s “farm-to-fork” model strictly divides jurisdiction of food products in the Philippines. Each agency requires entirely different sets of permits and technical standards. Here are different agencies you should know about depending on the food product you’re trying to import to the Philippines: 

• FDA (Center for Food Regulation and Research): Regulates all processed food products, food supplements, and bottled water.
• DA – Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI): Regulates meat, poultry, and dairy products.
• DA – Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI): Regulates fresh fruits and vegetables.
• DA – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR): Regulates all seafood and fish products.
• BOC (Bureau of Customs): Oversees the physical entry, tariff assessment, and tax collection for all the above.

Key Requirements for Importing Food Products in the Philippines

1. License to Operate (LTO)

An LTO is a mandatory authorization issued by the Philippine FDA that grants legal permission to engage in activities such as the importation, distribution, and sale of regulated food products. 

Without an LTO, you can apply for  product-specific registrations (CPRs) or obtain customs clearance. This license certifies that your business has legitimate physical presence, qualified person in charge, and a warehouse facility that meets national standards. 

Here’s what you need to obtain an LTO:

• Business Registration: SEC Certificate of Incorporation or DTI Business Name Registration.
• Proof of Warehouse/Office: A physical facility is mandatory. In 2026, the FDA requires GPS coordinates and geotagged photos of the storage area. Virtual offices are not permitted for food importers.
• Qualified Person: You must designate a person responsible for food safety and quality assurance. Emerhub can be your Authorized representative in the Philippines to help you import food products in the Philippines. 
• Risk Management Plan (RMP): Required for medium-to-high-risk food importers to detail how they handle contamination or product recalls.

Read our guide about how to obtain an LTO for regulated goods in the Philippines or schedule an appointment with our compliance experts for more information. 

2. Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)

Once your company has an LTO, you must register every individual product variant. The Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) is the permit that allows a specific product to be sold in the Philippine market. 

The FDA categorizes food products into three risk levels. Per FDA Advisory No. 2025-1262, the FDA has removed the explicit “Product Risk Categorization” text from the face of the CPR. This change aligns the document with the Codex Alimentarius global standards and the ASEAN Harmonized Regulatory Framework.

However, this is merely an administrative change. The underlying evaluation process and documentary requirements remain strictly risk-based.

Risk Category	Product Examples	Primary Documentary Requirements
Low Risk	Shelf-stable snacks, candies, flours, dried pasta, and most non-alcoholic beverages.	Label mock-ups, Ingredient list, LTO, and Proof of Payment.
Medium Risk	Processed meat/dairy, frozen vegetables, canned goods, and condiments.	All Low-Risk docs + Mandatory Certificate of Analysis (COA) for microbiological parameters.
High Risk	Food supplements, infant formula, Bottled Water, and Medical Foods.	All Medium-Risk docs + Stability Data, Safety Data (Toxicity tests), and Clinical Studies (if making specific health claims).

Emerhub can assist you in registering your products with the FDA. 

3. BOC Importer Accreditation

To clear goods through the port, your company must be accredited by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).  The BOC will verify your physical office and BIR (tax) compliance. They often conduct “site visits” to confirm the importer is not a “shell” company.  Registration is done via the Account Management Office (AMO) with a PHP 2,020 standard processing fee of (per CAO 02-2024).

Here’s what you will need:

• Notarized Application Form: Signed by the owner (sole proprietor) or a responsible officer (corporation).
• Corporate Secretary Certificate: Designating authorized signatories for import entries.
• Client Profile Registration System (CPRS) Profile: A printed copy with a “STORED” status notification.
• BIR Form 2303: Your official Certificate of Registration from the tax office.
• Latest Income Tax Return (ITR): Duly received by the BIR for the past three years (if applicable).
• Valid Mayor’s Permit: Certified true copy from the Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).
• Proof of Lawful Occupancy: Updated Lease Contract or Title of Property for both the office and warehouse.
• Detailed Sketch Map: A physical map showing the exact location of the office and warehouse premises.
• Geotagged Photos: High-resolution, geotagged pictures of the office and warehouse showing permanent signage.
• NBI Clearance: Original clearance for the applicant/authorized officer issued within the last six months.
• Two Valid Government IDs: For the applicant, president, and all responsible officers.
• Proof of Financial Capacity: Bank certificate or audited financial statements (Top 1000 taxpayers may be exempt).

Labeling Standards (AO 2014-0030) for Food Products

Labeling errors are the primary cause of shipment seizures. Every product must strictly follow Administrative Order 2014-0030. This order mandates that all information must be truthful, non-deceptive, and presented in either English or Filipino. 

In 2026, the FDA is particularly strict about the use of “Provisionary Sticker Labels” for English translations. These are permitted only for a maximum of six months, after which permanent, integrated labeling is required.

To register your products, you must have the following information on your product labels:

1. Product Name: Must indicate the true nature of the food and be presented in bold type.
2. Brand Name/Trademark: Must not be misleading or confusing.
3. Complete List of Ingredients: Listed in descending order of proportion (m/m).
4. Net Content and Drained Weight: Declared using the metric system (SI units).
5. Name and Address: Complete details of the Manufacturer, Packer, and Philippine Importer.
6. Lot Identification: Permanently marked or embossed on the immediate container.
7. Storage Instructions: Required for products needing special conditions (e.g., “Keep Refrigerated”).
8. Expiration Date: Using terms like “Use-by,” “Expiry,” or “Consume Before.”
9. Food Allergen Information: Mandatory declaration of ingredients known to cause hypersensitivity (e.g., peanuts, milk, gluten).
10. Nutrition Facts: A standardized table showing energy value, protein, carbohydrates, and fat content.

Enforcement and Penalties for Mislabeling

Under RA 9711 and the Consumer Act (RA 7394), non-compliant or misbranded food products face severe repercussions including:

• Administrative Fines: Ranging from PHP 50,000 to PHP 5,000,000 for manufacturers and importers.
• Product Seizure: Immediate confiscation of goods at the port or removal from retail shelves at the importer’s expense.
• Suspension of Authorization: The FDA may revoke your License to Operate (LTO) or cancel your Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).
• Criminal Liability: In cases where mislabeling leads to public health injuries, responsible officers can face 1 to 10 years of imprisonment.

Shipment Clearing and TradeNet

All import clearances must be processed via TradeNet.gov.ph. TradeNet was originally launched in late 2017 as the Philippines’ gateway to the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), but its use became mandatory for all trade regulatory agencies in March 2021 (via ARTA MC 2021-01). Since then, it has entirely replaced the legacy National Single Window (NSW) for the electronic issuance of permits and clearances.

1. SPSIC / EID Application: Before the ship leaves the origin port, you must apply for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) for agricultural goods or an Electronic Inspection Document (EID) for processed foods.
2. Electronic Entry Lodgment: Your customs broker files the entry electronically. 
3. Duties and Taxes Assessment: Standard 12% VAT applies. Tariffs range from 0% to 15% depending on Trade Agreements (ASEAN, RCEP, etc.).
4. Final Joint Inspection: The BOC and FDA may perform a joint physical exam at the port to verify the goods match the CPR.

Once the Joint Inspection is successfully completed and all duties and taxes are paid, the BOC will issue a Release Order or Gate Pass. At this point, the legal act of importation is deemed terminated, and you are authorized to move the goods from the customs zone to your registered warehouse for commercial distribution.

Using Emerhub’s Importer of Record (IOR) Service as an Alternative

An Importer of Record (IOR) service provides a solution by allowing you to export your products to the Philippines without owning a local company. Accredited entities like Emerhub acts as your legal importer for your food products in the Philippines. We will hold all your licenses such as LTO and CPR so you can import food products for your business. 

Here’s how we can help

• Immediate Market Access: skip the lengthy process of company incorporation, warehouse leasing, and hiring local staff.
• Compliance Expertise: we assume all the administrative paperwork needed for the shipment, ensuring all labels, ingredients, and customs declarations meet the latest 2026 standards.
• Simplified Logistics: we handle the applications for SPSICs or EIDs through TradeNet and manage the Joint Inspection at the port.
• Risk Mitigation: we ensure that your traceability records and warehouse storage conditions remain in constant compliance with FDA audits.

Find out more about Emerhub’s IOR by filling out the form below for a free consultation.