How to Ship to the Philippines from Monroe, WA

Snohomish County has a large and growing Filipino-American community. Every week, families in Monroe, Sultan, and Gold Bar send packages home to the Philippines. Here's everything you need to know to do it reliably, quickly, and without the headaches.

---

Which Carrier Is Best for Shipping to the Philippines?

DHL Express has the strongest network for this route.

DHL has served the Philippines for decades and has deep customs relationships in Manila, Cebu, and regional cities. That translates to more consistent customs clearance and reliable delivery — even to provincial areas outside major cities.

FedEx is also a solid option, particularly if you have a FedEx account or are shipping business documents. We quote both at the counter and help you choose based on your specific package and timeline.

---

How Long Does It Take?

For documents, gifts, or anything time-sensitive, DHL Express or FedEx Priority are the right call. For non-urgent items where cost matters more than speed, USPS can work — though tracking visibility is limited once it leaves the US.

Want to understand how DHL and FedEx compare in more depth? Read our DHL vs FedEx international shipping guide.

---

What Can and Can't You Send?

Commonly shipped items to the Philippines:

✅ Clothing and shoes ✅ Food items (commercially packaged, sealed) ✅ Electronics (with proper declaration) ✅ Medicines (with prescription, limited quantities) ✅ Books, documents, photos ✅ Baby supplies and hygiene products ✅ Small appliances (check wattage compatibility)

Prohibited or restricted items:

❌ Fresh fruits and vegetables ❌ Firearms, ammunition, or weapons ❌ Drugs and controlled substances ❌ Currency above the declaration threshold ❌ Pornographic material ❌ Items that violate Philippine intellectual property laws

When in doubt, ask us at the counter — we review your contents and flag anything that could be a problem at Philippine customs before your package ships.

---

Customs and Duties: What to Expect

The Philippines uses a de minimis threshold of PHP 10,000 (approximately US$175–180) for personal shipments. Packages valued below this threshold are typically cleared without duty.

For packages above PHP 10,000, expect:

• Import duties of 3–30% depending on item category
• Value-Added Tax (VAT) of 12%
• A formal customs entry process that may delay delivery 2–5 days

Tips to avoid customs delays:

1. Declare accurately — don't undervalue packages. Philippine Bureau of Customs has increased enforcement and misdeclared packages can be held or returned.
2. Send personal items as "gift" when genuinely gifting to family — gift exemptions apply under certain conditions.
3. Keep the commercial invoice clear — a clear, accurate description helps customs process faster.
4. Avoid combining commercial goods with personal items in the same box.

We help you fill out the customs declaration correctly before the package leaves our counter — that's the single most important step in getting your package to the Philippines without delays.

---

How to Pack for the Philippines

The Philippines involves multiple handling points — US origin → US gateway → international hub → Manila/Cebu customs → last mile delivery. Pack accordingly:

• Double-box fragile items — use an inner padded box inside a sturdy outer box
• Seal well — use quality tape across all seams
• Don't overfill — a bulging box is more likely to fail under pressure in transit
• Mark clearly — "FRAGILE" and "THIS SIDE UP" in English (consider adding in Filipino: MAINGAT / ITONG BAHAGI AY NAKATAYO)
• Protect with packing material — bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled kraft paper

If you're not sure how to pack it, bring it to us. Our professional packing service handles fragile, valuable, and oddly-shaped items every day — and is especially worth it for long-haul international transit.

---

Balikbayan Boxes vs. Express Shipping

Balikbayan boxes are a cultural tradition — large boxes filled with goods sent home to family, typically by sea freight. They're slow (30–60 days) but inexpensive for large volumes.

Use balikbayan box services when:

• Sending large volumes (clothes, shoes, canned goods)
• Timeline is flexible (a month or two is fine)
• Cost-per-pound is the priority

Use DHL Express or FedEx when:

• Documents, medicine, or time-sensitive items
• Package is under 20 lbs
• You need reliable tracking and delivery confirmation
• The recipient is in a secondary city beyond Manila or Cebu

We handle express shipping to the Philippines at our counter. For balikbayan box sea freight consolidation, that requires a freight forwarder — we can point you toward local options if needed.

---

Step-by-Step: Shipping to the Philippines from Our Counter

1. Bring your package to 19916 Old Owen Rd, Monroe, WA 98272
2. Tell us the destination — city, province, and full recipient address including barangay
3. We weigh and measure it
4. We quote you both DHL and FedEx so you can compare options
5. We fill out the customs form together — commercial invoice or CN22/CN23
6. You pay and we ship it — tracking information provided at drop-off

Total time at our counter: usually 10–15 minutes.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DHL deliver to provincial areas in the Philippines, not just Manila? Yes. DHL delivers to most major cities and provincial areas including Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, and more. Transit to provincial areas may add 1–2 days beyond Manila delivery times.

Can I send money or checks to the Philippines? No — currency and financial instruments must go through official remittance channels. We ship documents and packages but not cash or negotiable instruments.

What if my package gets held in Philippine customs? DHL has local customs brokerage teams in the Philippines that assist with clearance. If there's a problem, DHL Philippines contacts the recipient directly. We can provide shipment documentation if needed.

Can I track my package all the way to delivery? Yes. Both DHL and FedEx provide end-to-end tracking with delivery confirmation. You'll receive a tracking number at drop-off.

Do you ship to the Philippines on Saturdays? Yes. We are open Saturday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and accept DHL and FedEx international drop-offs. For DHL, arrive by 1:00 PM to ensure same-day processing.

---

Come In to Ship

The Mail Station Monroe 19916 Old Owen Rd, Monroe, WA 98272 📞 (360) 805-9250

Hours: Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

We are an Authorized DHL International Shipping & Package Drop-Off Location and FedEx Authorized Ship Center — compare both carriers and ship in one stop. No appointment needed.

---

Serving Monroe, Sultan, Gold Bar, and the greater Snohomish County Filipino-American community.