Laws for gifting electronics

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Is there any kind of law against giving US electronics as gifts to Philippines citizens?

The electronic in question is iPhone.

I bought my girlfriend one as a gift, so we can communicate easier (and cheaper). I got one for her sister, too. (she is going to pay me for it when I get there). I am able to get them much cheaper here then they are over there.

So, I will be entering the country with 4 iPhones. I have my iPhone 5 (US SIM), my travel iPhone 4 (Smart SIM), and 2 additional iPhone 4's that will be gifts. I might leave my iPhone 5 at home, but I wanted to bring it for the better camera and to use for entertainment on the plane.

If my bags are searched, is customs going to have an issue with me having too many phones? Is there any laws against this? Will I have to pay taxes? Should I ship them instead? All the phones are used - not brand new, if that matters.

Thanks!

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

It depends on customs regulations. Can you check their website if they have one, as to what is allowable? They may ask you if you are bringing gifts, and then you could declare the 2 phones at that time.

[iluvmy_hubbybunny 9]

hmm i'm not really sure but my fiance did same experience he just bring different item .. he bought me a new laptop (lenovo) and bring his laptop too when he go to philippines last year .. so he is kinda worried that he may be questioned of bringing two laptop and pay tax (for the new laptopa).. but he never pay tax and never got questioned I don't know if it will be same with the phones that you will bring .. I hope it helps a lil tho, good luck, safe trip and enjoy time in phils.

-cath

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Is there any kind of law against giving US electronics as gifts to Philippines citizens?

The electronic in question is iPhone.

I bought my girlfriend one as a gift, so we can communicate easier (and cheaper). I got one for her sister, too. (she is going to pay me for it when I get there). I am able to get them much cheaper here then they are over there.

So, I will be entering the country with 4 iPhones. I have my iPhone 5 (US SIM), my travel iPhone 4 (Smart SIM), and 2 additional iPhone 4's that will be gifts. I might leave my iPhone 5 at home, but I wanted to bring it for the better camera and to use for entertainment on the plane.

If my bags are searched, is customs going to have an issue with me having too many phones? Is there any laws against this? Will I have to pay taxes? Should I ship them instead? All the phones are used - not brand new, if that matters.

Thanks!

Really? 4 iPhones? Make sure you attach the appropriate bribe to the customs form. I would say, $20 each.

[mrsSpitze 9]

just take them out of the box - and put them in your hand carry. i did 2 laptops, 2 iphones, 2 itouch, 1 samsung phone, 1 dslr and was never questioned.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Take it out of the box and place it on separate ziplock bags. Handcarry the device and check in the boxes. You'll never know if you check-in bags will get check in random by TSA.

Good luck!

[Justud 42]

i always travel with 2 Laptops and tablet and phone. never got questioned. I bought a laptop in US and took it to Phil in my carry on and still not got questioned with 3 laptops.

[neodragon0l 6]

Whenever I go to the Philippines, I bring a laptop for work, two cellphones (globe and smart), a digital camera, and a tablet. There had three phones as gifts too. Never questioned. I read somewhere when boarding the plane that it is all good as long as it is personal use. Nowadays, it is common even in the Philippines to have multiple electronics.

BUT If you are planning to sell 10 iphones and all of them are in unwrapped boxes, then you may be questioned and pay the appropriate taxes. What I did for the three phones is I wrapped them in Christmas wrappings. I kept them in unwrapped boxes, but it kinda sucks when the recipient only gets the phone.

Edited November 2, 2012 by neodragon0l

[Dustin and Janen 86]

Thanks for the information! Good to know I won't be breaking any laws. That is the last thing I want to do.

[Messybrownhair 251]

Put it in your handcarry as it could get stolen from your luggage

[chris and lyn 2]

Put it in your handcarry as it could get stolen from your luggage

for sure no problem....just bring the receipt with you encase...

[Mogambi 96]

The first time I went to the Philippines, I brought a digital camera for my fiancé (well she wasn't my fiancé then). But I declared it, and the customs guy seemed very annoyed. He said 'if you mark something like that to declare then I have to charge you tax'. He then handed it back to me without charging me anything and said 'next time don't mark that you have anything to declare' and went back talking to his friend. I have never had them inspect my luggage going into Manila the three times I went last year. They just don't seem to care at all. And yes, a small bribe would easily get you through.

Also, be careful, we've been seeing on the news here of a bunch of recent robberies by airport employees of things out of people's luggage, cash and electronics. They're pretty blatant about it.