Exporting to the Philippines
Documentation, customs clearance and product registration essentials.
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Practical intelligence, not brochures.
Market guides, regulatory notes and institutional links to help your team move from interest to execution.
Setting up a company
Entity types, SEC registration, foreign ownership rules and timelines.
Request accessTariffs & trade agreements
Current duty structures and the state of Türkiye–Philippines negotiations.
Request accessLogistics & shipping
Routes, lead times, freight forwarders and port considerations.
Request accessInvestment incentives
PEZA, BOI and CREATE incentives explained for foreign investors.
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Templates, pitch decks and delegation checklists for members.
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Trade
Exporting to the Philippines
Documentation, customs clearance and product registration essentials.
Read the full brief
Start with the correct HS classification, then confirm whether your product requires clearance from the FDA, BAI or BPI. Standard shipments need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Duty ranges from 0% to 15% and VAT of 12% applies on landed cost.
Investment
Setting up a company
Entity types, SEC registration, foreign ownership rules and timelines.
Read the full brief
Most Turkish investors register a domestic corporation or a branch office with the SEC, followed by BIR registration and local government permits. Budget four to eight weeks end to end, and check the Foreign Investment Negative List for ownership caps in your sector.
Trade
Tariffs & trade agreements
Current duty structures and the state of Türkiye–Philippines negotiations.
Read the full brief
There is currently no bilateral free trade agreement in force between Türkiye and the Philippines. Goods move under MFN rates. The association tracks the exploratory FTA discussions and briefs members whenever a negotiating round is scheduled.
Operations
Logistics & shipping
Routes, lead times, freight forwarders and port considerations.
Read the full brief
Sea freight typically runs 28–38 days via transhipment hubs in Singapore, Port Klang or Jebel Ali. Air freight is three to five days. Manila, Batangas and Subic are the main entry ports — Batangas and Subic often clear faster for project cargo.
Investment
Investment incentives
PEZA, BOI and CREATE incentives explained for foreign investors.
Read the full brief
PEZA registration suits export-oriented manufacturing and IT services; BOI registration suits priority projects serving the domestic market. Under CREATE, incentives are time-bound and performance-based, combining income tax holidays with enhanced deductions.
Market snapshot.
Indicative reference figures for teams sizing up the corridor. Always confirm classification and duty against the current schedule before quoting.
- Leading Turkish exports to PH
- Machinery, iron & steel, construction materials, textiles
- Leading Philippine exports to TR
- Electronics, coconut products, tropical fruit, mineral ores
- Typical sea freight lead time
- 28–38 days via transhipment hubs
- Standard PH import duty range
- 0%–15% depending on HS classification
- Philippine VAT on imports
- 12% on landed cost
- Company registration timeline
- 4–8 weeks (SEC, BIR, LGU permits)
From interest to first shipment
- 01
Scope the market
Confirm demand, competing suppliers and price positioning before committing to a shipment or entity.
- 02
Check classification
Get the correct HS code early — it drives duty, documentation and product registration requirements.
- 03
Line up your partner
Distributor, agent or subsidiary. Each has different tax, control and liability implications.
- 04
Prepare documentation
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any product-specific permits.
- 05
Plan the first shipment
Trial volume, Incoterms, payment terms and a clear escalation path if clearance stalls.
Acronyms worth knowing
- PEZA
- Philippine Economic Zone Authority — administers economic zones and their fiscal incentives.
- BOI
- Board of Investments — registers priority projects for incentives under the Investment Priorities Plan.
- CREATE
- The Philippine tax reform act governing corporate income tax rates and incentive rationalisation.
- TOBB
- Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye — the apex Turkish chamber body.
- DEİK
- Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye — organises business councils and outbound missions.
- FDA PH
- Food and Drug Administration — product registration for food, cosmetics, devices and drugs.
Frequently asked
Are the guides free?
Members download all guides and the toolkit at no cost. Non-members can request individual briefs from the Secretariat.
How current is the information?
Guides are reviewed twice a year and updated immediately when a tariff schedule or registration rule changes.
Can you review our specific case?
Corporate and Patron members can book a one-hour advisory session with the relevant sector committee chair.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. Our materials are practical orientation. We refer members to vetted legal and tax practitioners in both markets.