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Liz Servañez
Liz Servañez serves as Branch Manager in the Philippines.
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Christine Aguilar
Christine Aguilar serves as Head of Operations in the Philippines.
Are you looking to import goods into the Philippines? It is mandatory to obtain the import permit/import license for bringing regulated goods to the Philippines and to facilitate smooth customs clearance.
An import permit is a legal document issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Philippines that authorizes you to import specific goods into the country. These permits are designed to regulate and monitor the flow of goods, ensuring compliance with trade policies and product standards.
In this article, we will walk you through the essentials of obtaining an import license in the Philippines including the key requirements and the step-by-step application process.
Bureau of Customs Import Permit Requirements in the Philippines
To start an import business in the Philippines and obtain the import license, your company must first be properly set up and registered in the Philippines. The Bureau of Customs requires the following foundational documents for import permit:
- SEC company registration certificate for corporation (domestic or foreign-owned) or DTI registration certificate for a sole proprietorship
- Business permits such as a Mayor’s Permit and the Barangay Permit
- BIR Certificate of Registration, which includes your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- A comprehensive company profile
- Proof of a physical office and, if applicable, a warehouse address.
Additionally, you will need to obtain secondary clearance certificates (Import Clearance Certificates) from relevant authorities. The specific certificate depends on the type of product you plan on importing into the country. We will cover this in the next section of the article.
Process of Getting an Import Permit in the Philippines
1. Company Registration
To become an importer in the Philippines, the first step is to register your business with the SEC or the DTI and obtain mandatory business permits.
While the legal entity type can be a corporation, a sole proprietorship, a partnership, etc depending on your goals, it is advisable to set up a corporation as it offers limited liability.
You can discuss your needs with Emerhub’s local experts, who will recommend the most suitable type of legal entity based on your planned activities.
2. Secure a Tax Identification Number from BIR
After registering your business, the next step is to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This number is essential for tax purposes and is required for various business transactions, including import activities.
3. Apply for the Import License with the Philippines’ Bureau of Customs
With your business registration and necessary permits in place, you can now apply for the import license with the Bureau of Customs.
Here, you need to provide the relevant documents mentioned earlier to indicate you meet all the requirements such as company registration, mandatory business permits, tax registration with BIR, company profile, etc. Once done, BOC will review your application and issue you a certificate of registration as an importer.
4. Obtain the Product Specific Import clearance certificates from Relevant Authorities
Securing your Certificate of Registration from the BOC makes you an accredited importer in the Philippines. However, you cannot start importing all types of goods just yet.
Depending on the type of goods you plan to import, you will need to obtain additional import permit or clearances from specific government agencies in the Philippines. These clearances ensure that your imports meet the necessary quality and safety standards.
For instance, if you plan to import pets to the Philippines, you will need to obtain Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Similarly, to import medical devices, importers must obtain a License to Operate as a medical device distributor from the FDA.
Therefore, before you can start importing products, it is mandatory to identify the specific requirements for your product category and obtain relevant authorizations.
Some common regulatory agencies that provide licenses and certificates for import include:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food, drugs, and medical devices
- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for animal products
- Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for plant products including Rice
To get specific information for your planned product category, you can book a free consultation with Emerhub’s business advisors.
5. Open a Business Bank Account
To facilitate smooth transactions with the BOC, it’s advisable to open a business bank account before you start importing your products. This account will be connected to your BOC account, allowing for easy deduction of fees and taxes related to your import activities.
How Long Does it Take to Obtain an Import License in the Philippines?
Obtaining an import license in the Philippines is a complex and time-consuming process that typically takes 1-2 months. To expedite the process, consider working with a local business consultant such as Emerhub who specializes in import licensing.
With Emerhub’s experienced business advisors, it’s possible to complete the process within 2-3 weeks if all documents are in order.
Import Documentation Checklist
Once you’ve obtained your import license, you’ll need to prepare specific documents for each shipment to secure customs clearance.
Here’s a checklist of essential import documents you need to submit to the Bureau of Customs for customs clearance in the Philippines:
- Packing List: A detailed inventory of the shipment’s contents
- Bill of Lading/Airway Bill: The transport document issued by the carrier
- Commercial Invoice: Details of the transaction between importer and exporter
- Tax & Duties Payment: Proof of payment for applicable taxes and duties if the payment has already been made. Otherwise, the money must be in your bank account so customs can process the clearance
- Additional Documents: Such as import license, Proof of Origin for free trade agreements, or evidence of exemption from taxes and duties (if applicable).
Import Your Goods into the Philippines with Emerhub
Ready to import your products into the Philippines? Emerhub’s experts will guide you through each step from company registration to obtaining the import permits.
For importers who are looking for a more streamlined approach to bringing goods into the Philippines, Emerhub also offers an Importer of Record (IOR) service. Through our IOR service, we handle the entire import process on your behalf – no licenses or permits are required on your end.
This is also a good way to test the waters before you commit to a legal entity and obtain an import permit.
For more details, fill out the form below and we will put you in touch with one of our local experts.
Frequently asked questions
To become a registered importer, you must first set up a legal entity (like a corporation with the SEC), obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the BIR, and then apply for accreditation with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Importing medical devices requires a two-stage licensing process. First, your company must obtain a License to Operate (LTO) as a Medical Device Importer/Distributor from the FDA. Only after securing the LTO can you apply for product-specific clearances (like a Certificate of Product Registration) for the devices you intend to import.
The timeline can vary significantly. For shipments with complete and correct documentation under the “green lane,” clearance can take 1-3 days. However, for shipments that are flagged for documentary review (“yellow lane”) or physical inspection (“red lane”), the process can take from several days to a few weeks.
No, they are separate. An import license authorizes you to bring goods into the Philippines. If you plan to export goods from the Philippines, you would need to comply with separate registration and documentation requirements for exporters.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is responsible for managing the overall importation process, assessing and collecting duties and taxes, and clearing goods to enter the country. Other agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are product-specific regulators. The FDA ensures that certain products (like food, drugs, and medical devices) meet national safety and quality standards before the BOC will allow you to import them.
This is a key distinction to understand for importing into the Philippines:
- Product-Specific Import Permits/Clearances: These are additional licenses you need on top of your BOC accreditation if you want to import regulated products. For example, while general merchandise might only require you to be an accredited importer with the BOC, importing products like food, medicine, or medical devices requires a secondary permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the BOC will clear your shipment.
- BOC Importer Accreditation: Think of this as your primary license to import. To bring any goods into the country for commercial purposes, your business must first be officially registered and accredited as an importer with the Bureau of Customs (BOC). This is a mandatory, foundational step for all importers.
In short, you always need to be an accredited importer with the BOC to conduct import activities. Whether you need additional permits depends entirely on the specific type of product you plan to bring in.
