Do I pay import duty on EV chargers in the Philippines?

Not under the current EV incentive program - EV charging equipment lands duty-free, and completely built charging stations have an additional multi-year duty exemption. The exemption depends on correct tariff classification.

Do imported EV chargers need ICC certification?

Yes. EV charging equipment is a regulated electrical product. Each shipment needs a DTI-BPS Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), issued per Bill of Lading after inspection, before the units can legally be sold.

Should I import AC chargers or DC fast chargers?

AC wallboxes suit condos and offices and are cheaper and easier to handle. DC fast chargers suit fuel stations and fleets, cost more, and are under-supplied - a gap worth targeting.

How long does customs clearance and certification take?

Customs release is quick with clean documents, but the ICC adds an inspection-and-testing step, and units cannot be sold until it is granted. Preparing the ICC alongside the freight keeps the timeline short.

Do I need DOE accreditation to import a charger?

Importing does not require it, but operating a public charging station does. The operator registers and accredits the station with the Department of Energy under EVIDA, using certified imported hardware.

Do I pay import duty on e-bikes in the Philippines?

Not under the current EV incentive program - e-bikes, e-scooters, e-trikes, e-motorcycles, and their batteries land duty-free, held until 2028. The exemption depends on correct tariff classification.

Why can't I just ship e-bikes by regular courier?

Their lithium batteries are Class 9 dangerous goods. Couriers often refuse or heavily surcharge them. Shipments need UN 38.3 testing, correct labeling, and a Dangerous Goods Declaration; for volume, sea freight under the IMDG Code is the realistic route.

Do my customers need to register an imported e-bike with the LTO?

Light e-bikes and e-scooters used on private roads or bike lanes are generally exempt. E-motorcycles, e-trikes, and e-quads must be registered, carry a plate, and be ridden by a licensed rider.

Who registers a brand-new e-bike - the dealer or the buyer?

Under LTO MC VDM-2024-2637, the initial registration of a brand-new light electric vehicle is the dealer's obligation. If you import to resell, that responsibility lands on you, so price it in.

Can I ship spare e-bike batteries separately?

Yes, but loose batteries ship as UN3480, the stricter dangerous-goods category, with tighter air limits and often sea-only handling. Plan the packaging and documentation before ordering.

Air Freight Philippines

Air freight Philippines shipments exist for one reason: some cargo cannot wait for a vessel. A restock that misses the selling season is a dead restock, and a production line stops while one component sits overseas.

HBK Global Trading moves air cargo into the Philippines from eight Asian origin markets: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. As an air freight forwarder for Philippine businesses, HBK manages export processing at origin, flight coordination, customs clearance, and final delivery. We act as the importer of record, so Bureau of Customs requirements sit with our customs compliance team, not on your desk.

Request an Air Freight Quote ← Back to Freight Forwarding Hub

Air Freight at a Glance

Air cargo from eight Asian origin markets

Transit usually 3 to 4 days, subject to flights and space

Customs clearance in-house, with HBK as importer of record

Nationwide delivery after release, including Cebu and Davao

Who it's for

Air Freight Philippines for Urgent Shipments

Air freight is the right call when speed, timely delivery, and reliability matter more than the lowest cost per kilo. It is not the cheapest option, and we will say so if your shipment does not need it. Our air freight customers — importers, SMEs, online sellers, and retail businesses — typically move:

Urgent shipments and urgent deliveries with a hard deadline

Time-sensitive cargo tied to a promo, a launch, or a selling season

Replacement parts holding up equipment or production

High-demand products already selling out on the shelf

Samples, parcels, and general cargo a client is waiting on

Comparison

Air and Sea Freight: Which Option Should You Choose?

The answer depends on what the delay costs you. Air freight buys speed; sea freight buys cost
efficiency on large volumes. It is a trade, not a preference.

Shipping Option	Best For	General Notes
Air Freight	Urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments	Faster transit, higher cost per kilo
Sea Freight	Large volumes and heavier, non-urgent cargo	Cheaper for volume, usually slower
Courier-Style Service	Small parcels or documents	Less suited to commercial cargo
Door Delivery Support	Delivery after customs clearance	Depends on destination and availability

A bulky, lightweight pallet rarely makes sense by air, where sea shipping is usually the more efficient choice on cost. Our sea freight page covers vessel schedules, container options, and port handling.

Comparing a courier with a freight forwarder? Read: Courier vs Freight Forwarder

Request an Air Freight Quote →

Pricing

What Affects Air Freight Shipping Costs?

There are no fixed air freight rates. Airlines price air cargo on chargeable weight: actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater. Two shipments of equal weight can price out very differently if one is bulky. Shipping costs also move with:

01

Cargo type, and any special handling it requires

02

Origin country and destination in the Philippines

03

Flight availability and airline cargo space that week

04

Customs clearance, duties, and taxes on the declared value

05

Door delivery, warehousing if needed, and domestic transport

06

Cargo insurance, if you choose to cover the shipment

When you compare air freight companies, check what each price includes. Some quote airport-to-airport only, leaving customs and delivery to you.

Customs Clearance for Air Cargo

Fast transport does not remove customs requirements. Cargo can fly from Guangzhou to Manila in hours, then sit at the terminal for a week because a commercial invoice was vague. Air freight delays are rarely caused by the flight; they happen on the ground, through missing documents, a wrong HS Code, or a missed cargo cut-off.

So we work the paperwork before the plane moves. Our customs compliance team collects documents while cargo is still at origin and submits a customs pre-alert. On the China lane we audit the commercial invoice on arrival at our facility; on the Japan lane we verify technical descriptions so parts are classified correctly before dispatch.

Philippine imports fall under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863). The Bureau of Customs routes shipments through selectivity lanes, green for release, yellow for review, red for examination, and assesses duties plus 12% VAT. No forwarder can guarantee a green lane, but clean documentation reduces the risk of document-related customs review.

Ask HBK About Air Freight Customs

Safety

Special Handling and Safe Transport for Air Cargo

Aircraft have rules that ships do not. Flammable liquids, explosives, compressed gases, toxic substances, and certain batteries are restricted or prohibited from air transport. Other cargoes across industries need airline approval, specific packaging, or extra documentation. Safe transport comes down to packaging, labelling, and paperwork, since air cargo is handled more times than shippers expect. If you are unsure whether your goods can fly, send the details before you pay your supplier.

The process

How the Air Freight Process Works

01

Get Your HBK Customer ID

02

Instruct Your Supplier

Send them your Customer ID and the air freight supplier link for that origin country.

03

Your Supplier Prints the Barcode Label

Every box needs one, carrying your details and our air freight warehouse address. Handwritten labels are not processed.

04

We Review the Shipment

Cargo type, route, flight and space availability, customs requirements, and delivery needs, then we confirm the cost basis.

05

Cargo Flies

We handle export processing at origin; transit is usually 3 to 4 days, depending on schedule and space.

06

Customs and Delivery

Our compliance team clears the cargo; our domestic team delivers to Metro Manila, the provinces, Cebu, or Davao.

Once your boxes are scanned at origin, log in to

Check your shipment status. →

Why HBK

Why Choose HBK as an Air Freight
Forwarder Philippines Partner?

We Tell You When Air Freight Is the Wrong Answer

We recommend air and sea freight services honestly, because a customer who overpays once does not come back. Repeat customer satisfaction beats margin on one booking.

The Customs Work Is Ours, Not Yours

HBK acts as the importer of record, so you need no Bureau of Customs accreditation of your own.

We Manage the Friction on the Ground

Customs pre-alerts, flight and space coordination with our carrier partners, and supplier coordination on labelling.

One Team From Supplier to Doorstep

Freight forwarding services, customs clearance, warehousing where needed, and nationwide transport, plus supplier payment in RMB through Pabayad where applicable.

Get a quote

What to Send for an Air Freight Quote

The more complete your details, the more accurate the quote:

Item list, with product photos and commercial invoice if available

Origin country, plus pickup or sender company details

Target schedule, and whether special handling, customs support, or insurance is needed

Actual weight, carton dimensions, and declared value

Philippine delivery address and consignee details

Request an Air Freight Quote

FAQs

Air Freight Philippines FAQs

What is air freight?

Cargo moved by aircraft. It supports global trade, global shipping, and international transportation, though route availability depends on origin country and cargo type.

How much does air freight Philippines shipping cost?

There is no fixed rate. Cost depends on chargeable weight, cargo type, origin, destination, customs requirements, and final delivery.

Is air freight faster than sea freight?

Yes. Air transit is usually 3 to 4 days, subject to flight schedules, space, and customs clearance. Sea freight takes weeks but stays cheaper for large volumes.

Can HBK help with customs clearance?

Yes. HBK acts as importer of record, and our customs compliance team coordinates clearance and advises on documents. Duties and taxes still apply.

Are there goods that cannot be shipped by air?

Flammable liquids, explosives, compressed gases, toxic substances, and certain batteries are restricted or prohibited. Some cargo is accepted with special handling and airline approval.

Can I track my air shipment?

We provide shipment status updates rather than real-time tracking on every route. Once your barcoded boxes are scanned at origin, log in to your HBK account. Monitoring detail depends on the route and carrier.

Move Cargo with a Forwarder That Handles the Whole Chain

If your shipment cannot wait for a vessel, send us the details. We will tell you what air freight should cost
and how long it should take, then handle customs and delivery once it lands. If sea freight is the better call, we will say so.

Request an Air Freight Quote Contact HBK

By the HBK Customs Compliance Team

This page is general information, not legal or customs advice. Regulations change, so verify current rules with the
Bureau of Customs or a qualified customs broker before acting.