Restricted Cargo for Import and Export
1. Explosives and Firearms: Dynamite, gunpowder, ammunitions, and other explosives, firearms, and weapons of war, or parts thereof.
2. Gambling Devices: Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, loaded dice, marked cards, machines, apparatus or mechanical devices used in gambling or the distribution of money, cigars, cigarettes, or other goods when such distribution is dependent on chance, including jackpot and pinball machines or similar contrivances, or parts thereof.
3. Lottery and Sweepstakes Tickets: Except advertisements thereof and lists of drawings therein.
4. Narcotics and Synthetic Drugs: Marijuana, opium, poppies, coca leaves, heroin, or other narcotics or synthetic drugs declared habit-forming by the President of the Philippines, or any compound, manufactured salt, derivative, or preparation thereof, except when imported by the government of the Philippines or any person duly authorized by the Dangerous Drugs Board for medicinal purposes.
5. Opium Pipes: Opium pipes or parts thereof, of whatever material.
6. Other Restricted Goods: Any other goods whose importation and exportation are restricted.
Restricted commodities can be accepted in the Philippines if the importer secures an import permit from the relevant government agency.
For example, explosives and firearms require a permit from the Philippine National Police – Firearms and Explosive Division.
The import permit must be secured by the consignee prior to shipping the commodity to the Philippines.
If the restricted commodity arrives without the necessary import permit, it will be subject to seizure upon arrival in the Philippines.
Prohibited Cargo for Import and Export
The following categories of goods are strictly prohibited from being imported into or exported out of the Philippines:
1. Materials Advocating Treason or Violence:
- Written or printed materials in any form that advocate or incite treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the government of the Philippines, or forcible resistance to any law of the Philippines.
- Written or printed materials containing any threat to take the life of, or inflict bodily harm upon, any person in the Philippines.
2. Items Related to Unlawful Abortion:
- Goods, instruments, drugs, and substances designed, intended, or adapted for producing unlawful abortion.
- Any printed matter that advertises, describes, or provides direct or indirect information on where, how, or by whom unlawful abortion is committed.
3. Obscene or Immoral Materials:
- Written or printed materials, negatives or cinematographic films, photographs, engravings, lithographs, objects, paintings, drawings, or other representations of an obscene or immoral character.
4. Misbranded Precious Metals:
- Any goods manufactured in whole or in part of gold, silver, or other precious metals or alloys where the stamp, brand, or mark does not indicate the actual fineness or quality of the metals or alloys.
5. Adulterated or Misbranded Food and Drugs:
- Any adulterated or misbranded food or goods for human consumption.
- Any adulterated or misbranded drug in violation of relevant laws and regulations.
6. Infringing Goods:
- Goods that infringe upon the Intellectual Property Code and related laws.
7. Other Prohibited Goods:
- All other goods or parts thereof, the importation and exportation of which are explicitly prohibited by law or rules and regulations issued by the competent authority.
