For the latest information on bringing your vehicle to the Philippines, please visit this page.
Do you have a favorite car that you are thinking of importing to the Philippines when you make the move to retire to the Islands of Paradise?
Like the governments of many other countries, new laws are passed every year and things change. It is no longer allowed to import a second-hand motor vehicle to the Philippines. A new vehicle can be imported to the Philippines, however, the Customs Duty on a new vehicle is the price paid for the vehicle. Essentially, you are paying double for your favorite motor vehicle if you intend to import it to the Philippines when you make the move here.
This is not bad news! There are so many makes and models of new vehicles for sale in the Philippines at reputable dealerships. You may recognize all the dealerships. BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Honda, Suzuki and so many more. One thing I have learned about living in the Philippines and that is the competition among the many dealerships for your business in buying a new vehicle is highly competitive and taken seriously. Among the promotions that some dealerships offer, to those buying a new vehicle, are a 5 year warranty, a full tank of fuel, free vehicle insurance for one year, free vehicle registration for 3 years, choice of seat covers and bed liner for a pickup truck and other creative promotions to get your business. How about if you bought a new vehicle and you received all the promotions that I mentioned? It happens! An American friend bought a new pickup truck not long ago in Bacolod City and he received all the promotions that I mentioned. He is a very happy customer and he is enjoying driving his new pickup truck around the city.
If you are not in the market for a new motor vehicle, you will not be disappointed. There are many options for those seeking a like-new second-hand vehicle or even an older “clunker.” In Bacolod City, the SUVs and pickup trucks are most popular among expats and Filipinos alike.
Some expats are more adventurous and they enjoy driving a motorcycle. Motorcycles in the Philippines are very affordable for local residents and of course, for expats. A new Kawasaki motorcycle will cost in the neighborhood of $2,000 USD. Bargaining and negotiating is expected in the Philippines, even from expats, therefore, you can get a better bargain with a cash deal at that very moment.
I applied and received my Philippine Driver’s License in 2010 and it was an easy process. It did not cost any more for me than it does every Philippine citizen getting their Driver’s License. The psychology of driving in the Philippines and the local traffic laws will be different from your home country, however, if I learned how to drive safely here and learned the traffic laws, you can, too!
There are many cities in the Philippines that have excellent and very cheap public transportation. Owning a private vehicle in the Philippines is not a necessity, as where I came from in the USA. Many expats had rather leave the driving to someone else and it is hassle-free. You do not have to drive to get around conveniently in many areas of the Philippines. Relax, chill out and enjoy the Islands!
Read the latest information regarding bringing your vehicle to the Philippines.
Can you provide more info on this topic, Gary? I have an ‘antique’ truck I was planning on bringing with me. You just broke my bubble.
Hi Doug,
I am sorry to break the news to you. Under Executive Order No. 284 in the Philippines, it is no longer lawful to import or ship second hand personal vehicles to the Philippines. The exceptions are for foreign diplomats and those shipping second hand buses and heavy equipment for legitimate commercial purposes. Even with the new vehicles, the custom duty is often 100% of the value of the new vehicle. A new BMW can cost upward to $50,000 USD custom duty for it to be allowed into the country. This is the same as paying double for the vehicle. This cost does not include the actual shipping!
What kind of truck do you have? I learned to drive on an old 50s model International pickup in Alabama! It was 3 speed on the column.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Thanks for the quick reply, Gary. My truck is a 1955 Dodge Power Wagon. I am rebuilding, but not restoring it, right now. It is a twin stick 4X4, will have a ‘late V-8 engine and 4 on the floor. Probably not too far from the International. I wonder if I could ship it in pieces then finish the rebuild there?
Could I register it then or would I need some other ‘papers’?
Hi Doug,
Cars, motorcycles or such items as firearms in parts is not allowed by the Philippine Bureau of Customs. One or two years ago, motorcycles were recovered in Cagayan de Oro, which had been stolen from a famous actor in California. They had been disassembled and shipped here from the States in a Balikbayan Box! Now, every Balikbayan Box is supposedly opened and inspected when it arrives in the Philippines.
We bought a Toyota Vios in Manila in 2011 and it was a real headache getting it registered in Bacolod City. If we didn’t have relatives in Manila to go back to the Dealership for additional paperwork, we would had to make a trip to Manila just for that!
It sounds like a nice truck you have.
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Hi Gary,
Plan on moving to Samboan,Cebu in late April,14. Have a Suzuki SV650abs 2010 bike. It’s like new condition. Do you think its a good idea to import it or just sell it and buy a local bike?
Grace and peace
Richard
Hi Richard,
Congrats on your upcoming move. I suggest selling your bike because the Customs tariff would be 100% of the bike’s value when purchased new! Even if you were willing to basically pay double for your bike, I really don’t think second hand bikes are allowed into the Philippines any longer, as I know second hand cars and other vehicles are not.
Happy Trip!
~ Gary ~
Hi Gary,
Thanks very much for your reply.Will sell bike and look at a few new bikes.Maybe KTM Duke or Kawasaki Ninja 250.
Grace and peace
Richard
My father imported his Norton 750 in the 90’s without a hitch. In a crate too.
Sounds great… Just in case your father still owns his Norton, i won’t hesitate to say I’m interested… maybe someday he´s crazy enough to sell his bike. Im living in mindoro…:-)
You are welcome, Richard. There are many nice bikes in the Philippines. In Negros Occidental, where I live, there are several expat Motorcycle Clubs, who ride all over the island. Rio Bella Pizzaria and the German resto-bar in Goldenfield, Bacolod, are two of their favorite hang outs. They are a legit Club and not a Gang!
Have a great day!
~ Gary ~
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the reply.!! Have been looking and learning a little about Bacolod. Was planning to have a mini holiday there .What month would you recommend to come up? Also where would you suggest to stay? Say around 2500 peso a night?
Cheers
Richard
Hi Richard,
The rainy season in Bacolod is usually June-September but can run into October. However, the rainy season here is nothing like in Metro Manila! Not as severe.
Most of the nice hotels in Bacolod are less than P1,500 per night. Grand Regal on Araneta Street is popular with expats and is never more than P1,200 per night, with promo sometimes for P999 per night. It is across the street from Gaisano Mall and is not far from downtown. My family and I lodged there a number of times before out house in Bacolod was completed.
Have a good trip!
~ Gary ~
Gary,
Since your last reply, I have tried to find the Executive order in question. My wife found a couple different and one more recent one. EO226 was signed by Gloria Arroyo, and EO866-A was signed by Noy-noy. They provide exceptions for returning Filipinos and immigrants. Since my wife will be a returning Filipino and I will be an immigrant, it seems we will be able to bring the ‘antique’ truck. Unless, of course, you manage to break my bubble, again.
I’d be very interested in your take on this.
Thanks,
Doug
Hi Doug,
My advice is, find out exactly how much the Bureau of Customs Duty will be on the antique truck and go from there. Also, find out in advance about how you will register the truck in the Philippines since the original registration is in the USA. We went through hell and high water registering a truck in Bacolod, which was originally registered in Cebu City.
Good luck!
~ Gary ~
Gary you can import your vehicle as you are married to a returning Filipino, she can bring the vehicle in as long as is it registered in her name for six months before importation. Your main concern here however will be getting any parts, they simply are not here.
Chris the Aussie
Gary I am not sure if you are aware but on the Burea of Customs web page and many other places it clearly states in chapter IV that an immigrant can import a used vehicle as long as he has at least a 13g visa..
yes this is correct a immigrant who is married to a Filipino may import one used car, anyone can import a brand new car. The main concern with this decision is can you get parts here and the answer is usually no. So think long and hard, I am bringing is a Russel Mitchell exile bike in new and it has taken a long time to organize and a lot of running around.. I would not recommend it to anyone who does not have good connections.. A retiree can no longer bring in a used vehicle, this law has change very recently so do your homework and get your permission in order from the BIS
I like to bring an 85 Caddilac El Dorado. and I am wondering if they wil allow it to enter.
my friend I have a large business here and have lived here many years… I also brought a Custom built Exile motor cycle here.. My first comment would be the traffic and roads here are very bad a I could not think of a more inapproprate vehicle to bring here than a cadillac… cars a jeepney come with in inches of your vehicle all day long.. I have several cars a 5 trucks all covered with scratches from motor cycle trying squeeze through.. secondly you can no bring in a used vechice unless you are married to a filipino.. thirdly the tax will kill you and rego will be a nighmare… do your self a big favour and simply buy a local car the attention you will draw to yourself will not be worth it, you will be stopped every day not so mention the car bays here are very tight.. it is your choice but my advice to you and all new comers is you have to realize this is not the US… buy a four wheel drive because in the wet season you will find yourself in knee deep water.
Great advice Christopher and everyone coming here would do well to heed your advice. Forget any ideas you have of simply taking the US or whatever country you come from, and simply transferring it to the Philippines. It will never happen and you’ll only succeed in making yourself and those around you, miserable.
On the other hand, if you come here with an open mind and an open heart, you’ll do well and have a great time.
Steve
Hi Steve,
I’m from the opposite side of town, Dgte. I’m planning on retiring soon bring with me a 2017 BMW Scrambler, As a “balikbayan”, isn’t there a tax break/exemption of some sort, just curious how much I have to shell out for a $15K bike?
Thank you,
you will pay about half the new value again in taxes and imports then you have to get it licenced.. trust me much easier to buy one here … I have just brought my bike in and one year later it is still not licensed simply not worth considering.. I know so many owners who have the bikes stuck in customs for years.. you can only import a new vehicle with zero klms unless you are married to a Filipino. I have spent the last three years arguing with customs it is not worth it.
Im in the same situation as several others here. I’m married to a Filipina and I really would love to import my Landrover and my Harley Davidson when I retire there next year, but from all that I have read it is either not allowed, or the taxes make it not financially viable.
I have lived here for 4 years now and have a business here.. I just went through the horrid experience of bringing in my new Exile Cycle… I can tell you, do not waste your time, by the time the customs and tax are through with you it is far cheaper to buy a Harley here.. there are two dealers here and some second hand machines that are expensive.. getting your vehicle through rego is another major hurdle… I have many friends here that have had their bikes confiscated because their paper work was not correct.. I have just gone through this experience and I would never attempt to do it again… Harleys are expensive here but they also hold their value for many years.. just check the net for prices on OXL for second hand machines..
Thinking about a motorcycle tour in Asia. But the Philippines is not listed at att among the countries accepting/requiring a Carnet (CPD) for temporary importation of a vehicle. I get all your advice above about the difficulties or impossibility of importing permanently a used motorcycle. But does anyone know if it is possible to bring in the country (by ferry or by cargo) a motorcycle just for a 30-60 day tourist trip? Thanks
You can pick up a cheap second-hand motorcycle for less than $1,000 …..or rent a little scooter for a $6 a day you don’t need big horsepower here…. So it’s not going to be worth your shipping
The short answer is this the Philippine govt does not want anyone to bring in any vehicle.. there is absolutely no chance of a temporary customs import visa… the roads are not that good here to ride a motorcycle and the driving at night is extremely dangerous… Thailand and Malaysia do have bike rental and guided tour programs and the roads are excellent.. If you decide to buy a motorcycle here they a used sportster will cost about 700,000 p and will take some time to sell. there are second hand BMW and ducati about.. Do not attempt to bring in any vehicle to the philippines.. I did and it is simply not worth the drama… and the cost is ridiculous.. I know many people that did try to bring bikes in with out the correct papers and had their bikes confiscated and sold …. you have been warned.. There is a reasonable Harley agent here but only deals in new machines… they do have a 2015 fat Bob demo in stock for 1 mil new they are 1.4 here so quite a good buy.. it is black.
Hi Christopher
Yes I had heard all the horror stories and have already decided to give up on the idea of bringing in my Harley.
What would be the situation if I tried to bring in a vintage motorcycle? I have a 1939 Ariel SQ4 that is in immaculate condition. Spent 3 years rebuilding it. I would hate to have to get rid of it. I wouldn’t necessarily need to register it and ride it on the roads, just keep it my garage and spend a few hours a week fettling it.
Any idea how the customs would put a value on it for duty purposes?
Cheers
Hi within the next year I will be leaving the uk and moving to the Philippines with my Philippines girlfriend soon to be my wife, my question is how do I import my 122 year old American steam traction engine, I don’t know how to put a value on it and I don’t really want to get rid of it as I have rebuilt it from a pile of scrap to a very nice working machine can anyone help many thanks Ian
Hi Ian
Afraid that I’m not able to offer any help, but I do share your desire to import a vintage vehicle. I have a 1939 Ariel Square 4 motorcycle that I have lovingly restored over several years. I would really love to take it with me to Philippines, but no idea if that would be allowed, and if it was, how they would pit a value on it.
Wishing you success and hope that if you receive any useful information, you would be kind enough to share it.
Cheers
David