Hello again, I shipped some personal belongings to Cebu from Canada prior to my arrival. It will be arriving here next week er in Cebu, I'm looking for a good Customs broker and or shipping company; really, I'm trying to find the fastest, cheapest way to get this stuff out of Cebu and on to Dumaguete? I was talking to Fastpak but they want about P40,000 for one big box (586 pounds, on a pallet). That includes Customs but seems like robbery to me. It cost me less than that to ship all the way from Eastern Canada, including a truck from Halifax to Montreal before being loaded into a container bound for Cebu! I know I will probably have to bite the bullet but any info would be appreciated. Thanks again, Stephen
Thanks for your post, SteveB. I too would be interested in an answer to this question but with the substitution of Dumaguete for Cebu. Customs clearance can be performed in Dumaguete itself, which is a sub-port of the Cebu entity. You are quite right: 40K does seem excessive for a mini-shipment but it is in line with what I have been quoted. Would you be good enough to provide the details of the shipping company you used for the Canada - Philippines leg, please? I was only ever able to find information to Manila or to Cebu. Either here or by PM would be very much appreciated.
If that includes estimated customs charges and you have a compter dvd player, that sounds about correct to me, I was charged over 30k for a pallet. Cebu to Bacolod. Dont forget customs duties are very heavy here. Here are the people I used in the Philippines. Anyway you can get a second opinion c_chiong@optionslogistics.com.ph his name is Clifford, tell him Alan in Bacolod sent you
Steve B. Hi, my name is Mike Jackson. I lease a small hotel and restaurant in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. I'm currently stateside doing some work on our house so we can possibly sell. You failed to mention if you are married to a Filipina or not? If you are married to a Filipina, then you are entitled to one container for a returning Balikabayan! Unless you have something that is subject to import tax, they can't charge you anything for the container. It is suppose to be duty free. Of corse if you have a car or motorcycle in there, you could loose it. But household goods, you are okay. I'll be back in San Carlos on April 10. If you would like, you can contact me at skyland@globelines.com.ph
Yes TravelTime , they are still there. I had my container transported by them two years ago from Cebu City to Dumaguete (by truck over the road and via Matiao ferry from Bato to Tampi). Was a quite good deal (17.920 pesos: 16.000 p + 1920 P VAT)), although I heard that they increased their prices. Address: Martin Matiao Transport Services INC. Maslog, Sibulan, Negros Oriental. Sorry, can't find their celphone number anymore. They have also an office/store near to the Cebu harbour. BTW: If you are a SRRV (Special Resident Retiree's Visa) member (look also at the PRA-website and elsewhere on this forum) like I am, you don't have to be married with a Filipina to get your container free of charge/taxes imported. There is however a limit-value for the container household content which the PRA is going to increase drastically soon. Hope this suites you for the moment. Succes
Got Me! Thanks for all your help. My shipment has arrived and I had to go to Cebu to have it cleared and released. While there I learned that the Customs people would not provide a breakdown of the Customs charges and no official Customs receipt, I did receive a receipt from the Brker that told me there was a P7900 Stevedore charge. The rest has disappeared into thin air. They hinted that Filipino Customs is the second most corrupt Department after Transport and that most of the money will end up in somebody's pocket. They also hinted a threat that if I complained, they could easily find excuses to increase the tariffs and stall the release of my shipment. So I bit the bullet, paid the CASH (they will not accept credit cards, of course), and came home with my tail between my legs. The box should arrive at my home in Dumaguete tomorrow, (a Holiday!!!) so I expect it sometime next week, :-)
You actually got away cheap Steve. Matiao Shipping used to have an office off of Sta Catalina St, up the long driveway by Habitat for Humanity if I remember correctly. Basically right behind Mart1. They might have moved when their hardware caught fire, or during the Mart1 construction etc. I've been to Matiao's office in Cebu City. It was off Mango St, turning right as you head towards Supercat at that huge burnt out bldg if it's still in that condition. Can't remember which end of the bldg you turn at. Matiao could have moved by now of course. Most businesses in Cebu will wrap your large purchase up and get it on a Matiao truck for you. All you have to do is buy it and leave the rest to them.
