A few questions about trip to Philippines in a week

[madtownguy 164]

I have already been doing that to a certain extent. I do trust her with the money because everytime I want to buy something (especially for her) she keeps telling me it's too expensive and insists I save my money. That is one of the things I like about her. She is good at managing and saving money. Probably even better than I am. The sim card is a good example. After they tried to rip me off we went somewhere else and I stayed out of sight and let her go buy it. She was able to get it for 50p instead of 150p. To me it's not a lot of extra money that I am being charged but my fiance gets really upset when people try to do that to me. She got in a big argument with a cab driver over 50p extra he was trying to charge us (I hope I never make her mad enough where she yells at me like that lol). I guess to people here 50p is a lot more to them than it is to me. Whenever people are honest with prices to me I try to give them a tip anyways. We had food delivered to the hotel and I paid for it and had about 100p change coming back to me and I told the delivery guy to keep it and I could tell it made him really happy.

That means she's a keeper. Everyone is different in all countries. My wife is incredibly cheap and selfish, when her family and friends ask what did you bring us back she asks them when did they send money so she could buy them something. Her last trip to the Philippines costed $1300 including flight and she had my credit card to spend whatever. I ended up telling her she had to spend more because I budgeted way more so she bought an air conditioner for another room in her house before she left. Her family never asks me for money, which somehow they seem to get more from me I have a easier time saying no to someone asking then not rewarding proud self supporting people. Good luck with the rest of your trip!

[Joshua@Tinz 52]

Gotta get that lechon going man, you wont regret it

[jg121783 3,921]

Gotta get that lechon going man, you wont regret it

We plan on doing that on Friday. Also we will be renting a pool for the day for the kids. It will cost around $200 for everything. Her family is very excited and looking forward to it (especially the kids). We were going to take her son out today to have some fun but we might be stuck in the house because a typhoon is coming through right now and it is raining and very windy. I experienced my first typhoon last night lol.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Stay on high ground, keep dry... stay safe.

Had the fun of sitting through one our last visit, only had a couple inches of water on the 3rd floor of the hotel....

Edited October 18, 2015 by Hank_

[jg121783 3,921]

Got a question for you guys. Have any of you ever brought any booze back with you to the US? If so what are the rules regarding that? I was thinking about bringing a few bottles of imperador (spelling) back with me to share with some friends and family. I want to bring some lambanog too but that might be harder because the bottles aren't labeled.

[cristina16 81]

Got a question for you guys. Have any of you ever brought any booze back with you to the US? If so what are the rules regarding that? I was thinking about bringing a few bottles of imperador (spelling) back with me to share with some friends and family. I want to bring some lambanog too but that might be harder because the bottles aren't labeled.

You can bring those liquor back but should be checked in. Packed them properly to avoid breakage.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Check the customs website for exact information/requirements

[jg121783 3,921]

Check the customs website for exact information/requirements

I did but it is pretty vauge and confusing. I was hoping somoene had some personal experience with this they could tell me about. I have talked to some people who told me they brought back a whole case of liquor as one of their checked bags and had no problems. From what I am told if you declare what you have most of the time customs doesn't even want to be bothered with the paperwork just to collect a few dollars from you so they will just let it through with no fees.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Not too vague

Tobacco Products

Returning resident travelers may import tobacco products only in quantities not exceeding the amounts specified in the personal exemptions for which the traveler qualifies (not more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars if arriving from other than a beneficiary country and insular possession). Any quantities of tobacco products not permitted by a personal exemption are subject to detention, seizure, penalties, abandonment, and destruction. Tobacco products are typically purchased in duty-free stores, on sea carriers operating internationally or in foreign stores. These products are usually marked "Tax Exempt. For Use Outside the United States," or "U.S. Tax Exempt For Use Outside the United States."

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info

Edited October 20, 2015 by Hank_

[jg121783 3,921]

Well I got home earlier today from my trip. I will tell you about my trip home then I have to get some sleep. As far as my time in the Philippines goes it was one of the best experiences of my life and I can't wait to go back soon but I'll tell you all about that later. Anyways I brought back a case of Imperador and a couple bottles of Lambanog and I wanted to let you all know what happened. The trouble started at the Manila airport at the luggage check in desk at 5:30 in the morning. They tried to tell me I couldn't bring it because Hong Kong (where my connecting flight to Chicago was) only allows 1 liter. After going back and forth with them for about an hour (while my fiancee waited outside for me to go say bye) about how I wouldn't even have access to my checked luggage until I reached Chicago they finally checked in the case and I was able to spend the last 15 minutes with my fiancee before I had to get through security.

So I finally got on the plane which left late and got to Hong Kong with just enough time to rush through security and run all away across the airport to get on my connecting flight which I almost missed. Then I got to Chicago 14 hours later and had to deal with US customs.First the agent tried charging me $25 for the case which is more than it cost in the Philippines. After I got clarification from him on what the rules actually are he told me it s a dollar and some change tax on each liter and redid his math and came up with $11 (it was 15 .5 liter bottles) and told me he wouldn't charge me for the 2 bottles of Lambanog in my suitcase.. So I paid it and went on my way too exhausted to argue about it any further. I have had people tell me they have brought back more than me and have been waived through without paying anthing so I guess each customs agent makes up the rules as they go. So the lesson here is if they try to tax you make sure they calculate the right tax and your experience may vary depending on what airline you fly on and what customs agent you deal with. Anyways I'll get back to you all later and I am going to go sleep for a while.

[Hank_ 9,174]

When we cleared through Denver, I had the declaration form in my passport, when we approached the customs agent I was still digging for the form, he looks at us and say - I guess you have nothing to declare and passed us through...

[Thozelle 16]

When we cleared through Denver, I had the declaration form in my passport, when we approached the customs agent I was still digging for the form, he looks at us and say - I guess you have nothing to declare and passed us through...

They were using kiosks for customs in Chicago when I came back in Oct.

[Hank_ 9,174]

They have kiosks in Denver as well but that was for immigration

Edited October 29, 2015 by Hank_

[F & J 21]

The last thing is my girlfriend was telling me she saw on the news that customs agents at the airport were caught planting stuff in people's luggage to try to get money from them. Is this something I should worry about and what precautions can I take against this if it is? That is all I have for now. I will let you all know if I think of anything else..

If you can, I would suggest getting zipperless luggage like the Samsonite S'Cure Spinner (they come in 28") and for carry on luggage, Samsonite also carries a smaller line called Samsonite Cruisair DLX Hardside Spinner (these come in 21"). These will prevent any unscrupulous people from planting stuff in your luggage - these suitcases do not have any outside pockets and are sealed so there are no zippers that can be tampered with using just ballpoint pens.

I hope that helps!

*Edit: I just noticed that you're already back from your trip XD - anyway, if anyone else is concerned about luggage issues and are traveling to the Philippines, I highly recommend those 2 Samsonite suitcases

Edited January 27, 2016 by F & J