That is a question I am sure many have pondered. If you are really fond of your car you might consider it but be prepared. In addition to the cost of shipping the vehicle the import duties can be substantial. They base the duties on the cost of the car from a valuation list they have. Not what you actually paid for it. I have a item at the bottom of the page that explains import duties for vehicles.
Another issue to consider is if your vehicle is not a model that is common in the Philippines you may have trouble getting spare parts. The parts stores and dealer stocks have a limited selection of parts. Unless you have friends outside the country who can ship the required parts you may have to wait a long time to get the required parts I’ve know people who waited two months for special order parts.
In addition to the taxes and duties there are quite a few documents required. I didn’t list them all here if you are still interested in shipping your vehicle check with the Bureau of Customs for the latest requirements. Most will find it easier to acquire a vehicle in the Philippines.
MOTOR VEHICLES
* Gasoline-fueled cars limited to 2,800 cc not over 1,500 kgs
* Right-hand driven vehicles not permitted
* Autos five years old or older not permitted
* Banned/unauthorized motor vehicles subject to seizure; owner subject to penalties (In some cases they actually crush the car)
The import taxes are as follows:
a. New – 100% duty on the value of your car (This is 100% 0f the cars value from their valuation list plus other duties such as VAT, gas guzzler tax, etc.)
b. less than 2 yrs old – 90%
c. less than 3 yrs old – 80%
d. less than 4 yrs old – 70%
e. less than 5 yrs old – 60%
As I said before none of that duty includes the cost of shipping the car to the Philippines.
25 January 2009
If you are still interested in shipping your car I recommend you deal with a reputable broker who will clear the car through customs and deliver it to you. If it is just delivered to the dock then you have to clear it through yourself. Unless you have connections in the customs office this could turn out to be considerably more expensive. I did not try to post shipping rates because they vary from company to company.
If you need to know exactly what documents are required there is a link to the Philippine Government website on the links page. You want the site for the Bureau of Customs. The paperwork requirements also change so it is best to check the website for the latest information.
07 August 2009
To answer another question many people have been inquiring about the cost for shipping a car. From the Port of Los Angeles this is around $2000. This includes moving it out of the customs area. This doesn’t include transporting the car to Los Angeles and it does not include the taxes and fees paid to the government which will be much more. Hope that helps with planning.
Ive looked into this myself because cars have a low second hand value in the UK. But unless you have friends to assist it through the port its going to be a headache for sure. As you say yourself “various taxes” its a headache for tourist visas where the price changes everytime you visit immigration how much more of an issue with a car thats cost over $1000 to ship in the first place.
One thing I have also learned in the Philippines is people will bump your car in a carpark and drive off. Ive had a scooter run into it and the drive just carried on his way didnt even look round until he got to the top of the road to check his scooter was ok. Another a cyclist fell into the back of the cab. Ive had at least 4 bumps while ive been away from the multicab coming back to find dents and scrapes.. I would never buy a new car in the Philippines.. Something thats cheap and reliable is getting a Jeep. Its comfortable and a lot safer in a crash than a multicab. Aswell as the added bonus it can go virtually anywhere with its all 4×4. The most important thing being they are cheaper than multicabs to buy as the multicab replaced the Jeep as a local status symbol so getting one for around P60,000+ is possible.
Yes it is quite a process to get it through. They have confiscated and crushed the cars of a number of people who have tried to bypass the tax. I watched it on the news one day. These were high buck cars too. Mercedes, BMW’s and some kind of Italian sports car I don’t know the make but not a cheap one. They ran right over them with a bulldozer.
I am planning a post that talks some about what vehicles are available locally. I just need to get more pictures and a little more information.
Hi Tom!
I came to the same conclusion as you did regarding the feasability or practicality of shipping a car overseas. Marie already had a fairly new SUV in the Philippines before we were married, so we at least have transportation. Our home is about 10 miles from General Santos City. We have a small farm also there. One of the things that I missed was not having a pickup for hauling things. We would have to trouble Marie’s brother to pick things up for us in his truck when he could. We have thought about buying a new Nissan pick-up when we return home but the kuripot (cheap) kano in me was internally protesting. I finally convinced Marie to allow me to just buy a good second hand Suzuki 4×4 if one could be found. She was dead set against it before because she says they are cheap and not very durable. I think part of the reason was because successful people usually drive something nicer. She did agree that a simple vehicle is better for farm duty. I would be happy also if I don’t stand out because of what I own. I am already the talk of the barrio when I was seen digging holes and carrying sacks of cement. I don’t know if they thought I was crazy for working hard or if it was a compliment. Hopefully the latter. I hope you are able to show some information about the Suzuki Carry or even the Mitsubishi version. I have not been able to find out much about anything but Toyotas.
If you are looking for a utility vehicle for around the farm you might also consider a multicab. They aren’t fancy but they are certainly available cheaper than other imported vehicles. I have seen a number of people discussing the Pajero I think that is a Toyota. I am staying in Cebu City when I go so I don’t have as much need for my own vehicle there. I will see if I can find something on the vehicles you asked about.
I think the Pajero is made by Mitsubishi. Marie has a Mitsubishi Adventure which is the next step up from the Pajero. The Pajero looks more rugged and macho. Marie’s Adventure is kind of a soccer mom type vehicle. I also plan to get a motorcycle when we go home. Probably a Honda xr200. I plan to just ride this out in the barrio. You would never catch me driving anything not surrounded by steel in the city!
Like I said I haven’t really looked into purchasing a vehicle there so I am not familiar with the more popular models that are available there. I know new cars are expensive. Even good quality used vehicles are pretty pricy. Multicabs are less expensive and would make a good utility vehicle especially in a rural area. Not much status with those though if that is a concern with the in-laws.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more articles from you in the future.
- Jack
Thank you. I hope you got some useful information. Are you planning on living in the Philippines?
Hi Tom,
For you and all the other readers who are going to drive a car in the Philippines: Your foreing drivers license is only valid in the Philippines for a periode of ninety (90) days upon arrival date (the date of entry stamped in your passport). So take care that you get your Filipino Drivers License before the 90 days have passed. On my website I have written about getting one.
Thank you Jan thai was something I hadn’t addressed yet but it is also good to know an additional source for information. I can only work on this part time so I only have a few posts a month. It is always good to hear input from Philippine Residents. I am hoping to be one myself in the near future.
Hey Tom,
I’m happy to be able to help all people who like to come to the Philippines. As You know on my website I’m trying to give as much (first hand) information as I can and I’m posting new things as much as I can. Today I’ve added something on health insurances.
Yes it is good for people to have multiple sources when they are researching the Philippines. Everyone has a little different perspective on a topic and can cover a wider range of topics. I have talked some about health insurance and medical care but since I don’t live there full time I don’t have the first hand experience. My trips so far have required no interaction with medical facilities or insurance. I hope it stays that way.
From the feedback ive had off expats the majority of people have had some issues with insurance companies. As a British Citizen its actually illegal not to have insurance. Yet I would advise anyone to get insurance from outside the Philippines where possible.
Yes I have heard the same from people. It depends a lot on the company and on your agent from what I can gather. They are all quite happy to accept your payments but when it comes time to pay out that is another story. I recommend that people talk with aquaintences who have insurance about they companys they use to get some insight into how well the company fulfills it’s obligations.
Asking about specific companys on forums and discussion groups about the Philippines can also get some feedback on what really happens when you need their services. For automobile insurance you might have no option except a local company but International Medical Insurance is available from a number of sources.
Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.
I am glad you found it helpful. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Nice work! I’ll have to do a cross post on this one
hi i live in zamboanga city and have done for about 5 yrs love it i drive a new alterra
worth buyig new if you can secound hand a lot off trouble i found , a good investment a decent car
Did you buy it there or did you ship it from overseas? How much was the car compared to buying it overseas? how is Zamboanga? I’ve never had an opportunity to visit there.
its great i brought it in cebu but i want to bring a range rover here so cheap in uk a 2003 on ebay 10,000 pounds diesel as well trying to sort it with friends and contacts and back handers and other stuff if i can get it here and cleared for 4,000 pounds and 1,000 for shipping id be happy as anythink zamboangas a great place just built a guest house bottom off lot
pools next then rent it out for western visiters that vist zamboanga city with bikes and car included in rent only little bit more expencive than hotel here but completly private gary
car was 1.7 million at time exchange rate was 75php to pound
Hope you are able to work out the shipping arrangements. Be sure you check woth the Bureau of Customs before you buy it. It was my understanding you can’t import a car more than 5 years old.
If you find out you can please let me know. I am sure that would be of interest to the readers here.
Anyone from California have shipped a car to Cebu? I’ve been thinking about it when I retire in 10 years. Is it better to just buy a car locally? What would be an average cost for small airconditioned car?
Hi Frank. Sorry for the slow response.
There are a number of companys in California that ship cars. The cost of shipping is much less than the customs duties you will pay unless you are exempt. New cars are somewhat expensive in the Philippines. Used cars are available in a wide variety of prices so it depends on exactly what you want. A friend of mine bought a small Korean made car a few years ago for P80000. It was a used car and pretty small but it was good basic transportation. Mulitcabs are much cheaper but not usually air conditioned. You will just have to look around to find what you need. Any price you got now would certainly change in 10 years. At the present time you can probably find something between 3 and 6 thousand dollars.
If anyone there has more specific information on auto prices i’d like to hear your input.
hi! Gary,
I’m also from zamboanga city but currently living in Missouri because my husband is in the military. We found out that we we’re gonna be station in germany for 3 years and on top pf that he is getting deployed overseas for a year so I decided to go back home. I am just wondering how much it is to ship my car. it’s an 03 Honda Accord. any suggestions?
are y’all filipinos?
The largest expense will be the customs duties. You may require as a returning resident in which case I believe the duties are waived. To find out if you are eligible for this check with the nearest Philippine counsilate. You can also look on the BOI and Customs Websites. Hope that helped. Sorry for the slow response I was out of town.
Well I am not but some of the readers are. I hope to be living permanently in the Philippines in the very near future.
Hi Tom,
Just ran across this post when looking for info regarding shipping our Mazda SUV from the US to Manila. My wife and I have a house / small bed and breakfast on the beach in Calatagan, Batangas. My wife is retired and runs the operation from Jan-June then returns to the US as I am not yet retired.
From what I’ve read it looks like the fact that the Mazda would be more than 5 years old by the time we retire there and having a 3liter V6 makes it inelegible for importatation. In addition the duty seems outragous. So we will likely not go that route.
Is there any validity to the rumor that there are special Balakbayan / returning citizen dicounts or elimination of the duty?
I see a number of comments related to the Suzuki Multicab vehicle and most appear to be fairly positive regarding the cost and reliability of these units. We are considering a multicab pickup 4×4 for use by our caretaker for picking up supplies and materials mostly from the town that is about 12km away. At the most it might make a monthly trip to the next city which is another 20km. All the roads are low volume, two lane roads, some strethes are not paved and kind of steep in a few places. Would this be a good choice vs. a tricycle?
Hi Harvey,
I have been slow in making new posts lately because of some personal stuff going on. I will start making new posts again soon.
There is an exemption for returning Filipino citizens regarding import duties. You can get more up to date info at the BoC website. There is a link to them on the links page. I don’t have any direct experience with purchasing a vehicle in the Philippines but I have spoken with a number of people who have the multicabs. They are brought into the Philippines in pieces then reassembled so you want to be sure it is someone who knows what he is doing who reassembles it. They seem to be fairly widely used.
When are you planing to retire? My original plan was last year but the economy has slowed the timetable. I am now hoping for next year.