Shipping from Dubai to PhilippinesShipping from Dubai to the Philippines, for business cargo.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to the Philippines for companies, not personal boxes. We fly commercial air cargo from DXB to Manila (MNL), Cebu and Clark, and ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Manila and Batangas. We prepare export papers and check what the Philippine importer needs from the Bureau of Customs.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Philippines at a glance
Most business cargo to the Philippines flies, because sea freight from Jebel Ali usually changes vessel at a hub on the way. Sea suits heavy or bulky stock with flexible dates.
- Flight time
- About 9 h DXB to Manila
- Sea freight
- Via a transshipment hub
- Customs
- Bureau of Customs (BOC)
- Import VAT
- 12% on landed cost
Airports and seaports in Philippines we ship to
Choose the airport or port nearest the buyer. Cargo for other islands is often cleared in Manila or Cebu and moved on by domestic shipping.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | MNL | Ninoy Aquino International, the main cargo gateway | |
| Airport | CEB | Mactan-Cebu International, for the Visayas | |
| Airport | CRK | Clark International, north of Manila | |
| Seaport | PHMNL | Manila International Container Terminal and South Harbor | |
| Seaport | PHBTG | South of Manila, an alternative to Manila's port | |
| Seaport | PHCEB | For cargo to the central islands |
Air, sea to Philippines
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to MNL, CEB or CRK | About 1 to 3 days, plus clearance | Electronics, parts, samples, urgent stock | |
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Manila or Batangas, transshipped | Varies by hub and connection | Heavy or bulky stock, machinery |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Manila | Longer, with two consolidations | Smaller loads with flexible dates |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Philippines
- Emirates SkyCargo
- Cebu Pacific
We confirm the hub, connection and current sailing for each sea booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Philippines: what the importer needs
The Philippine importer must be accredited with the Bureau of Customs, and a licensed customs broker lodges the entry.
| Item | In Philippines |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Bureau of Customs (BOC) |
| Declaration | Import Entry and Internal Revenue Declaration, lodged by a licensed customs broker |
| Importer registration | BOC importer accreditation through the Client Profile Registration System |
| Duty and tax | Duty by tariff line under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, plus 12% VAT on the landed cost |
| Low-value threshold | No duty or tax on goods valued at PHP 10,000 or less (FOB or FCA), under BOC rules |
| Trade agreement | No UAE-Philippines trade agreement in force yet |
Consolidating many low-value orders into one commercial shipment does not keep each below the threshold.
Approvals to check before booking
Many regulated products need a licence or clearance from a Philippine agency before the shipment arrives.
- 01
Food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices need FDA Philippines licensing and product registration.
- 02
Listed products need a Bureau of Philippine Standards ICC sticker.
- 03
NTC approval
Telecom and radio equipment needs National Telecommunications Commission approval.
- 04
Plant and animal permits
Agricultural goods need permits from the Bureau of Plant or Animal Industry.
- 05
The consignee must hold a current BOC accreditation before cargo lands.
- 06
Used goods
Used vehicles, used clothing and some second-hand goods are restricted.
Documents for shipping to Philippines
Send these with your booking. We check the consignee name matches the BOC accreditation exactly.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| States where the goods were made | |
| Release of regulated products |
Restricted or banned in Philippines
- Food, drugs or cosmetics without FDA authorisation
- Wildlife without CITES permits
- Used clothing
- Used vehicles outside the rules
- Narcotics
Airlift ships business cargo only. We do not handle personal boxes or balikbayan boxes.
What UAE businesses ship to Philippines
The UAE was among the Philippines' top 20 trading partners in 2024, with about US$1.8 billion of two-way trade.
- 01
Electronics and parts
IT hardware, components and spare parts, mostly by air.
- 02
Machinery and equipment
Industrial and construction equipment by sea.
- 03
Chemicals and plastics
Polymers and industrial chemicals, with SDS where needed.
Dubai to Philippines shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneNo, Airlift Logistics ships business cargo only. We handle commercial shipments for companies, such as stock, spare parts, equipment and materials, with an invoice and an accredited importer. Personal effects and balikbayan boxes need a door-to-door cargo company that specialises in them. We can advise on commercial routes and documents.
- The consignee must be a business.
- Commercial invoices are required.
Air cargo usually reaches Manila in one to three days. The non-stop flight from DXB takes about nine hours, and some cargo connects through other hubs. Clearance at the Bureau of Customs adds time, especially for regulated products. Booking early helps in peak seasons, when belly space on passenger flights fills quickly.
- Cebu and Clark are options too.
- FDA products need licences first.
Goods worth PHP 10,000 or less pay no duty or tax. This de minimis rule from the Bureau of Customs applies to the FOB or FCA value of an importation. Most commercial freight is worth more, so normal duty and 12% VAT apply. Splitting one shipment to stay under the limit is not allowed.
- VAT is charged on the landed cost.
- Duty depends on the tariff line.
Most sailings change vessel at a hub on the way. Few container services run direct from Jebel Ali to Manila, so cargo is transshipped, often in South or South-East Asia. Each connection adds waiting time. For urgent stock, air freight or a split between air and sea is usually the better choice.
- We confirm the hub when booking.
- LCL adds a second consolidation.