Shipping to Philippines: Fast, clear and cost-effective
Shipping to Philippines can feel complicated: different couriers, changing fuel surcharges, customs rules and a lot of paperwork. For SMEs that want to ship or import outside the EU, ParcelParcel is the shipping aggregator that simplifies the shipping process by handling complex customs procedures and paperwork, so you save time and keep control over your shipments.
Whether you’re sending products to customers in Manila, documents to Cebu or box shipping to Philippines for family, ParcelParcel helps you compare options, cut costs and avoid surprises along the way.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
Why shipping to Philippines with ParcelParcel is different
Many companies still compare shipping options manually, checking every courier website one by one. That costs time, and you still don’t know if you really found the cheapest shipping to Philippines.
ParcelParcel works differently:
One platform, multiple couriers
Instantly compare services from DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet for your shipment to the Philippines. You see delivery times, service levels and prices side by side.
No contracts, no subscriptions
ParcelParcel automatically compares the best couriers, with no contracts or subscriptions. You simply book the option that fits your shipment and budget.
Sharp, transparent rates
Our buying power means competitive prices. You see all mandatory surcharges in advance, so you know the real cost of your shipping to the Philippines before you book.
Personal support when things get complex
Customs questions? Dangerous goods doubts? Our team helps you understand what’s needed so your parcel moves smoothly.
If international shipping feels complicated and unpredictable, ParcelParcel brings clarity, speed and control, without you having to figure it all out yourself.
How shipping to the Philippines works with ParcelParcel
Shipping to Philippines with ParcelParcel is designed to be as simple as booking a flight:
Calculate your rate online
Enter origin, destination, dimensions, weight and contents in our online shipping calculator and get instant quotes from multiple couriers.
Book directly in the platform, no separate contracts or negotiations with each carrier. You receive labels and shipping documents digitally.
Prepare and hand over your shipment
Follow our international packaging tips for parcels to protect your goods, then have the shipment picked up or drop it off at a service point (depending on the service chosen).
Track your shipment to the Philippines
Track and trace keeps you and your customer informed until delivery is completed.
Ready to ship smarter? Start today with ParcelParcel, no obligations, but support whenever you need it.
Box shipping to Philippines (including balikbayan-style boxes)
Many customers look for box shipping to Philippines to send personal items, samples or gifts. Think of clothing, non-perishable food, small electronics or household items.
With ParcelParcel you can:
Ship single parcels or multiple boxes in one booking
Choose express air shipping for urgent deliveries or economy options for lower cost
Send large boxes (within courier size and weight limits) for business or private shipments
Because every courier has specific size and weight rules, our platform automatically checks whether your box fits the chosen service. Our team can advise you if you’re unsure which service is best for a large shipment or if pallet shipping is a better option.
To reduce the risk of damage, always use strong double-walled boxes, internal cushioning and proper tape. Our carrier-specific guidelines, such as the packaging guidelines for DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet, help you prepare your box correctly.
You can find these via our packaging resources on the ParcelParcel website.
Customs, duties and paperwork for the Philippines
Shipping to the Philippines is international trade outside the EU, which means customs clearance is mandatory. That’s where many shippers lose time—and where ParcelParcel makes a big difference.
When you book through ParcelParcel, we help you:
Create a clear commercial invoice with correct product descriptions
Add HS codes and values so customs can classify your goods properly
Indicate the correct Incoterms (who pays duties and taxes)
Provide extra documents if needed (e.g. certificates or permits)
We also offer country-specific information, including customs rules for the Philippines, so you understand what to expect before you ship.
Instead of trying to navigate customs alone, ParcelParcel gives you structure and support, so your shipping to Philippines doesn’t get stuck at the border.
Extra benefits for SMEs and frequent shippers
Why do companies like yours choose ParcelParcel? Because we make shipping packages, pallets, and urgent deliveries clear, with sharp rates and personal support.
Key benefits:
One account for multiple couriers
Transparent invoices and overviews
Support in English and Dutch
Experience with both B2C and B2B shipments outside the EU
As your volumes grow, we help you optimise your shipping profile and choose the right mix of express and economy services, especially useful when you regularly look for the cheapest shipping to Philippines without compromising reliability.
Verzendkosten berekenen
Vul de gegevens in van je zending hieronder en bereken direct de verzendkosten van bekende vervoerders zoals FedEx, DHL, TNT, DPD, DSV en Skynet 👇
What questions did other senders have?
The cheapest shipping to Philippines depends on the size, weight and urgency of your shipment. In our platform you enter the details once and immediately see which courier offers the lowest price for your route. Often, slower economy services are cheaper than express, but sometimes a different courier offers a better deal for your specific dimensions.
Tip: slightly reducing the size or weight of your box can already lower the price, because many couriers use volumetric weight. Our team can advise you on how to pack efficiently.
Did this answer help?
Transit times vary by service:
Express services: usually around 2–5 working days to major cities like Manila or Cebu
Economy services: often 5–10 working days, depending on route and customs clearance
These are indications; actual delivery time also depends on how quickly customs clears your shipment. In your quote overview you’ll always see the estimated delivery time for each courier so you can choose what fits your deadline.
Did this answer help?
Yes, box shipping to Philippines is possible—as long as the box stays within the size and weight limits of the selected courier. For very large or heavy boxes, pallet shipping might be more efficient.
Enter the dimensions and weight in our shipping calculator; if a box is too big for parcel services, you’ll see alternative options. For high-value or sentimental contents, we strongly recommend following our packaging tips and considering additional transport insurance.
Did this answer help?
For most commercial shipments you’ll need:
A commercial invoice with shipper/receiver details
A clear description of the goods and HS codes
Quantity, value, currency and country of origin
Reason for export (sale, return, sample, gift, etc.)
For certain products (food, electronics, cosmetics, etc.) extra certificates or permits may be required under Philippine regulations. ParcelParcel guides you through the document creation in the booking flow and our support team can help you if you’re not sure what’s needed.
Did this answer help?
That depends on the chosen service and Incoterm. Some services are DAP (duties and taxes paid by the receiver in the Philippines), while others may offer a DDP-style solution where charges are pre-paid. In the ParcelParcel booking flow we clearly indicate which model applies.
If duties and taxes are not included, the local customs authority in the Philippines will calculate them based on the customs value of the goods. We help you prepare accurate documentation so there are no surprises for you or your customer.
Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the button to play the video and the icon to view the video in fullscreen.
Did this answer help?
Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
Did this answer help?
You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
Did this answer help?
Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
Did this answer help?
A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required? A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself? If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
Did this answer help?
You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
Did this answer help?
You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
Did this answer help?
Yes, we act as a logistics intermediary, enabling us to obtain high discounted rates from the carriers. We pass these savings on to you, allowing you to ship worldwide at a cost-effective price.
In short, you benefit from our shipping rates. In nearly all cases, you will save much more by using ParcelParcel for shipping than going directly through the carrier.
For example, let's say you want to send a shipment to the United States and contact the carriers (e.g., FedEx, DHL, or TNT) directly for shipping rates. Based on the volume of your shipments, you may receive a certain discount on the shipping rate (volume discount). If you are sending only one shipment, the discount rate would be limited.
As ParcelParcel, we are a major customer of the carriers, sending thousands of shipments as an intermediary. By choosing ParcelParcel, you can save up to 70% on your shipping costs as you benefit from our discounted rates. Quite straightforward, isn't it?
Did this answer help you?
You can insure your package for 1.0% of the total value with minimum administrative costs of €19.50.
For example, if the contents of your shipment are valued at €700, the insurance administrative costs would be €19.50. So, 1% of €700 is €7, but the minimum administrative costs for insurance are €19.50.
Therefore, we charge €19.50 administrative costs for insurance. You can use our rate calculator to indicate if you want to opt for insurance.
You insure your shipment against damage, theft, and loss. We also recommend reading this article about the 5 essential points to consider when choosing insurance.
Did this answer help you?
If you submit the package before 13:30, it can often be picked up on the same working day. If it's after 13:30, you can always call to inquire if a pickup is still possible today. Unfortunately, your shipment cannot be picked up during the weekend.
Did this answer help you?
You can pay with all popular payment methods such as iDeal, PayPal, Bancontact, credit card, Apple Pay, KBC/CBC Payment Button, Belfius Direct, and SOFORT Banking through
Did this answer help you?
Yes, this is possible and is called third country shipments. A third country shipment is an international shipment where the package originates from a country that is not the country of dispatch or receipt. In other words, shipments from and to all countries in the world. This is also known as third-country transport. You can send shipments that go beyond the Netherlands. For example:
A domestic shipment in the United States
A package from France to Switzerland
A shipment from Germany to China
Do you want to send a gift to family or friends? Distribute products worldwide? Import, export; in other words, engage in trade between non-adjacent countries? You can easily and quickly arrange this with ParcelParcel. Register today for a free MyParcelParcel account or calculate shipping costs via our rate calculator.
Did this answer help?
Use a suitable box To send your package safely, it's important to choose a box that fits the dimensions of your package's contents. Keep in mind that smaller packaging can be relatively cheaper.
Take pictures of the inside and outside packaging (insured shipments) To be able to prove that your package is properly packed in case of damage or loss, we recommend taking pictures during the packing process. Take pictures of at least the inside and outside packaging, showing the product you want to send. This tip only applies if you choose to insure your package.
Fill all empty spaces Fill the package with, for example, bubble wrap, packing paper, or old newspapers. Make sure the contents of the package cannot shift during transport. This prevents damage to your package.
Seal the package properly Seal the package with strong tape. We recommend using packaging tape, but duct tape can also be used. Make sure the box is properly sealed so it cannot open during transport.
Label the package correctly Make sure the delivery address is clearly visible and complete. Preferably, put a label with the delivery address on different sides of the package. This ensures the address is always visible, even if the package is placed upside down during transport.
Remove old labels or stickers If you are reusing a box, make sure to remove any old labels or stickers. This prevents confusion about the destination of your package.
Choose the right shipping method Choose a shipping method that matches the fragility of your package's contents. For example, choose extra secure packaging if you're sending fragile items.
Choose additional insurance if needed If the contents of your package are valuable, you can choose additional insurance for extra peace of mind. Keep in mind that insured shipments require photos of the inside and outside packaging as proof of proper packing.