Money and duty free for Philippines
Currency and Money
Currency information
Philippine Peso (PHP; symbol Php or P) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of PHP 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of PHP 20, 10, 5, and 1, and 25, 5 and 1 centavos.
Credit cards
MasterCard and Visa (and to a lesser extent American Express and Diners Club) are accepted in major establishments in cities. Elsewhere, credit card acceptance is less reliable.
ATM
ATMs are widely available in cities and major tourist areas, but may not be present on smaller islands or in mountain areas. It is best to check ahead before relying on the presence of ATMs. Major banks accepting foreign cards include PNB (www.pnb.com.ph), BPI (www.bpiexpressonline.com) and Land Bank (www.landbank.com).
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 09:00-15:00.
Currency restrictions
Local currency: Travellers may bring into or take out of the Philippines up to PHP 50,000 without prior authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Foreign currency: There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into or taken out of the Philippines. However, amounts exceeding USD 10,000 (or its equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared in writing using the prescribed Foreign Currency Declaration Form upon arrival or departure.
Currency exchange
Cash in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars can be exchanged in banks, hotels and some retail outlets. Always use authorised money-changers or banks in Manila. Outside the capital there is a shortage of facilities for changing foreign currency and rates may get progressively worse as you travel further away from the city. It is advisable to carry a sufficient amount of Philippine pesos when travelling to other provinces.
Philippines duty free
Overview
Travellers aged 18 and over are permitted to bring into the Philippines, free of duties and taxes:
• 2 reams of cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• 2 bottles of liquor (each not exceeding 1L in volume).
• Personal effects up to a maximum value of PHP 10,000. These should not be in commercial quantities and are not intended for barter, sale or hire.
• All arriving international passengers, except minors, may purchase a maximum of two (2) units of cigarettes, liquor, and wine from duty-free shops within 48 hours upon arrival. This shopping privilege can be availed of only once from the arrival date.
Banned Imports
• Written or printed materials: Items advocating or inciting treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the Philippine government, or containing threats to life or bodily harm.
• Obscene or immoral materials: Printed goods, films, photographs, paintings, or other representations deemed obscene or immoral.
• Articles for unlawful abortion: Instruments, drugs, substances, or printed materials intended for producing unlawful abortion.
• Adulterated or misbranded goods: Food items or drugs that are adulterated or misbranded in violation of relevant laws and regulations.
• Infringing goods: Items that violate intellectual property rights as defined under the Intellectual Property Code and related laws.
