With the deepening of China-Philippines trade relations, more and more Chinese companies have begun to pay attention to how to ship goods to the Philippines in a faster and more efficient way. This article will introduce the timeliness of shipping from China to the Philippines in detail.
Overview of the Philippine Market
In recent years, China has become one of the largest trading partners of the Philippines. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, China is the largest source of imports for the Philippines, and trade commodities cover electronic products, machinery and equipment, furniture, building materials and daily consumer goods. The advantages of importing from China are:
- Price advantage: China has low manufacturing costs and competitive wholesale prices.
- Product diversity: From electronic accessories to household items, everything is available.
- Mature supply chain: China’s export service system is complete and the export operation process is efficient.
Convenient logistics: There are direct flights and regular sea freight flights from multiple ports/airports in China, and the logistics channels are unobstructed.
How to Ship from China to the Philippines
The following are the detailed steps for transporting goods from China to the Philippines. Understanding the details will help arrange transportation plans and grasp the transportation timeliness.
Goods preparation stage
The supplier prepares goods, packs and marks them, and the buyer confirms the order, mode of transportation and delivery date.
Export customs declaration
The freight forwarder submits export customs declaration documents (such as invoices, packing list, contracts), and the Chinese Customs reviews and releases them.
Shipping and transit
Shipment or installation, shipped from China to the Philippines
Arrival and customs clearance
After arriving at the Philippine port or airport, the import agent will declare customs, pay taxes according to the nature of the goods and complete customs clearance.
Delivery and receipt
The goods are delivered to the final destination or Philippine warehouse, and the consignee confirms receipt.
Factors Affecting of Shipping Time from China to the Philippines
The transportation time from China to the Philippines is affected by the following factors:
Port of departure and destination city
For example, departing from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xiamen, the routes are generally dense and the transportation is faster; and the customs clearance speed and delivery of different cities in the Philippines (such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao) are also different.
Transportation mode selection
Sea transportation is the slowest but cheap; air transportation is fast but expensive, suitable for customers who have requirements for both timeliness and cost.
Weather conditions
Typhoons and heavy rains, especially between June and November, may cause delays in shipping services.
Customs clearance efficiency
The smoothness of the customs clearance process for Chinese exports and Philippine imports has a great impact on transportation time, especially customs inspections and tax issues may cause delays.
Holidays and port congestion
Holidays such as the Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Philippine Holy Week may affect flight/shipping schedules and customs clearance time.
Cargo type and packaging
Dangerous goods, liquids, and live electrical products require special declarations, which affect customs clearance time; irregular packaging may also lead to delays or returns.
Shipping Time from China to the Philippines
Although the time for transport from China to the Philippines is affected by the above factors, the time for transport is determined by the mode of transport, which mainly includes sea freight and air freight .
Sea Freight Time from China to the Philippines
Sea transport is the most common and cost-effective mode of transport from China to the Philippines, especially suitable for large quantities of non-time-sensitive goods. Usually the transport time is 8~12 days
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Philippines) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Manila | 6–11 days |
| Shenzhen | Manila | 5–12 days |
| Ningbo | Manila | 6–12 days |
| Shanghai | Cebu | 6–11 days |
| Shenzhen | Cebu | 7–12 days |
| Ningbo | Cebu | 5–11 days |
| Shanghai | Subic | 5–12 days |
| Shenzhen | Subic | 5–12 days |
| Ningbo | Subic | 6–10 days |
Air Freight Time from China to the Philippines
Air transport is suitable for time-sensitive, high-value or small but heavy goods, such as electronic components, clothing, samples, etc. It usually takes 2-5 days
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Philippines) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Ninoy Aquino | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Ninoy Aquino | 3-5 days |
| Beijing Capital | Ninoy Aquino | 3-5 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Mactan-Cebu | 2-5 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Mactan-Cebu | 3-4 days |
| Beijing Capital | Mactan-Cebu | 3-5 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Davao | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Davao | 2-5 days |
| Beijing Capital | Davao | 3-6 days |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Japan
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to South Korea
How to Shorten Shipping Time from China to the Philippines
Pay attention to the following points to shorten your shipping time:
Port diversification
Consider using less congested ports, such as Cebu or Davao.
Work with a reliable freight forwarder
Choose a freight forwarder with experience in importing to the Philippines to ensure efficient handling of customs clearance.
Ensure accurate documents
The correct documents can avoid unnecessary customs clearance delays.
Avoid shipping during peak periods
Plan ahead to avoid congested periods such as the eve of the Chinese New Year and the Christmas season in the Philippines.
Optimize packaging and customs documents
Provide clear packing lists, invoices, and HS codes to facilitate fast customs clearance.
Adopt air freight + local express delivery mode
Save time by local express delivery after the goods arrive in Manila.
Understand the characteristics and timeliness of various transportation methods mentioned in this article, plan the supply chain rhythm in advance, choose reliable logistics partners, and flexible and efficient transportation channels to ensure that goods are transported to the destination on time.