Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Philippines
Used-car imports are banned for most buyers — but returning Filipino residents have a legal path, and the machinery and equipment lane into Manila and Subic Bay is one of our strongest in Asia.
Philippines at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,600+
- Ocean transit
- 16–24 days (West Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Manila · Subic Bay
- Import duty + VAT
- Cars 30% + 12% VAT + excise · RHD banned
- Returning residents
- No-Dollar Importation permit path
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Philippines: What You Need to Know
The Philippines bans commercial used-vehicle imports under Executive Order 156, and right-hand-drive vehicles are illegal nationwide by statute. The main legal exception is the No-Dollar Importation program: Filipinos returning after at least a year abroad may bring one personally owned left-hand-drive vehicle with a permit from the trade department — duties still apply, but the lane is real, and we run it regularly for balikbayan families relocating home from the U.S.
Beyond personal vehicles, the volume lanes are industrial. U.S. construction machinery, generators, and trucks for the Philippines' infrastructure programs enter at 0–3% duty plus 12% VAT, and Subic Bay's freeport status offers bonded options for fleet staging and re-export. Manila receives direct West Coast sailings in 16–22 days, and our consolidation service handles the steady flow of personal effects shipments between U.S. Filipino communities and home.
Key takeaway
Commercial used-car imports are banned and RHD vehicles are illegal — only the No-Dollar Importation route works, for returning residents with one LHD vehicle. Machinery at 0–3% + 12% VAT and personal-effects consolidation are the dependable lanes.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Philippines
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Manila | 16–22 days | Weekly |
| Oakland, CA | Manila | 18–24 days | Weekly |
| Seattle / Tacoma | Manila | 17–23 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Subic Bay | 30–37 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Manila | 32–40 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Philippines from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Philippines, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Philippines fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Philippines
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,600 – $2,300 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,700 – $3,800 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,600 – $5,100 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Philippines →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentPhilippines Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used cars (commercial import) | Prohibited | — | EO 156 ban; RHD illegal |
| Returning resident vehicle (permit) | 30% | 12% | + excise; one LHD unit |
| Construction machinery | 0–3% | 12% | Infrastructure demand strong |
| Trucks & commercial vehicles | 20–30% | 12% | Import rules differ from cars |
| Personal effects (balikbayan) | Relief available | Reduced | Returning resident allowances apply |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Moving back to the Philippines?
Under the No-Dollar Importation program, Filipinos returning after 12+ months abroad can import one personally owned left-hand-drive vehicle with a DTI permit. We confirm your eligibility, prepare the permit application, and ship the car alongside your household goods in one consolidated move.
What We Ship to Philippines
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Philippines's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Philippines.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Philippines.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Philippines
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Philippines Routes
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Manila
16–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Oakland, CA → Manila
18–24 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Seattle / Tacoma → Manila
17–23 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Manila
32–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Philippines Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
16–24 days (West Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Manila · Subic Bay.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Philippines. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Only through one legal route. The Philippines bans commercial used-vehicle imports under Executive Order 156, and right-hand-drive vehicles are illegal nationwide. The exception is the No-Dollar Importation program: Filipinos returning after at least a year abroad may bring one personally owned left-hand-drive vehicle with a DTI permit. Duties still apply, but the lane is real, and we run it regularly for balikbayan families relocating home from the U.S.
It's the legal path for returning Filipinos. After 12+ months abroad, you may import one personally owned left-hand-drive vehicle with a permit from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We confirm your eligibility, prepare the permit application, and ship the car alongside your household goods in one consolidated move. RHD vehicles still can't be registered, so the car must be left-hand drive.
Yes — it's one of our strongest lanes in Asia. U.S. construction machinery, generators, and trucks for the Philippines' infrastructure programs enter at 0–3% duty plus 12% VAT, and Subic Bay's freeport status offers bonded options for fleet staging and re-export. We also run a steady personal-effects consolidation service for U.S. Filipino communities shipping home. Manila and Subic Bay both take direct West Coast sailings.
About 16–24 days from the West Coast — one of the faster transpacific lanes. We sail from Los Angeles/Long Beach and Oakland to Manila, with Subic Bay as a freeport alternative for fleets and bonded staging. East Coast departures from Houston and Savannah run longer. We can consolidate a returning resident's car and household effects into a single shipment, and quote machinery by equipment type and HS code.
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