Filipinos are very well aware of the horror stories from the Bureau of Customs. Stories that gone viral in social media – overtaxed items, hidden charges, missing, lost, or opened packages – and the list goes on. I was hoping none of those would happen to me.
A little bit of research…
Here is the process flowchart from the Customs website. The guards are friendly so don’t hesitate to ask them questions and they’ll be happy to assist you.
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Shipments under P10,000 are tax free so take advantage of that.
Track your package using PhilPost site
https://tracking.phlpost.gov.ph/
https://tnt.phlpost.gov.ph/
If your package remains in the Item for Customs Examination status for weeks, most likely you’ll be summoned to their office.
CMEC / EMS Office Address
Address: Domestic Rd, Pasay City
Phone: (02) 854 4902
Office Hours: 8AM-5PM
How to commute to CMEC / EMS Office?
Ride a bus with the MIA / NAIA signboard and tell the conductor to drop you off at Park ‘N Fly. Go to the PTT Gas Station and walk along the road. Just a few meters from there and you’ll be at the PhilPost Office.
What to bring?
– Two valid IDs
– Your package tracking number/s
– Proof of payment for the package / invoice of the package
– Payment for storage fee (112 pesos per package)
Here is my experience and walk through on how to claim the package 🙂
This is where you’ll drop off, Park ‘N Fly and PTT Gas Station. (Sorry for the bad quality of the photo.)
Walk a few meters from this side and you’ll see PhilPost in a few meters.
Welcome to PHLPost Central Mail Exchange Center.
Ask the guards, they are very nice and will guide you with your concern.
I was instructed by the guard to proceed to the second floor. Here, I presented the tracking number and submitted two valid IDs which they will scan. Afterwards, I was told to proceed at the waiting area while they look for my package in the storage / sorting room.
Here are other people waiting for their names to be called.
The EMS (Express Mail Service) Window.
After a few minutes, my name was called at the CVST MS Office window. My package was opened and checked by the Customs Officer. She was a bit strict but nice as well and asked for the proof of payment. The packages did not exceed P10,000 so I was not taxed. Should your items exceed the threshold, you’ll then be presented with a computation of how much you’ll pay.
I was told to proceed to Window #2 and paid only 224 pesos for two packages. I then returned to the CVST MS Office window and showed the receipt.
Tada! My package was released! Yokatta! :)
Overall, it was a pleasant experience. I was very nervous but then it went well!
SEARCH
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i'm on my way to you... 
Or kailangan ko pa ba isend s manila ang proof of payment .. from us yng package ko tapos hindi pa na deliver kc need ng proof of payment . what i will do help
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Hi Marjie, email mo po muna hopefully magreply sila : ems.cs@phlpost.gov.ph
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Hi po sir if returned from custom un status ng tracking ibig sabihin cleared na yun parcel mo and wait n lng for delivery
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Do they accept screenshots for Proof of Payment? Yung order ko HLJ walang printable na format.
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Hello. I’m from Mindanao, my package arrived yesterday. Ilang days po ba ang hihintayin bago nila I-deliver? I’m just a student and its really far and expensive kung pupunta pa akong manila para I-claim ang package. My package is worth 2k php only. Door to door po ba ang pag deliver nila or hanggang post office lang?
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Hi po, good day!
Wala po ba talagang sumasagot sa hotline nila.
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What day of the week is the best day to come to CMEC Pasay po?
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Hi, can you have your sss salary loan cheque received by you HR in your current employer? Will they give you the cheque if you’ll be able to provide your 2 valid id’s and authorization letter?
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Hello po, if it says “Returned from customs” status, ano po ibig sabihin nun? Mahintay ko po ba sya door to door? May natanggap po kasi akong text na i-pick up sya sa pasay. Ano po yun? Are they still going to open the parcel to check or review? Or am I really going to just pick it up and pay for the 200+ fee? If it’s cleared, di po ba pwede na mairequest na maihatid sa bahay? since busy din po ako. Thank you po and sorry madaming tanong.
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Hello po, ano pong ibig sabihin nung last update po sa tracking, ang nakalagay “returned from customs”?
November 12 pa po yan na last update.
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Hey,
Just wondering if you need to have printed receipts? Struggling to find somewhere to print.
Thanks 🙂
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does the 10k exclud shipping? kasama kasi sa invoice ang shipping baka itotal nila ang pagbase sa tax.
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Nag message nku no one reply me.. Almost 3 months natO ang package hinid parin dumating what would i will do.. If ny package lost there have a refundable or not ma’am and sir?
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You have to call them. That’s what I did
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…hello maam/sir…
…ask koh lng mai dumating bah sah inyoh nah cargo galing jeddah…?until now kase hindih pah dumarating ung cargo koh parah sah asawah koh nah c patrick sellon…nagkamalih kase nang lagai sah city,,,manila nilagai dapat poh cebu city…peroh mai tamang address naman nakalagai sah resebo…at number ng asawah koh…sanah nmn mai sumagot ng tanong koh…thankz…
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What if you only have 1 valid ID??
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What if you only have 1 valid ID??
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This was very helpful. Thank you!
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That really helped me! Salamat po!!!<3
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Thank you for the info.
Big help.
Bought bag from rakuten. Arrived after 8 days.
Claiming at ems took me 1hr 16mins.
Btw there’s parking for customers.
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What if galing po ng states yung package, tapos naka address sya sa visayas region? Hindi ba nila e dedeliver yun sa philphost na malapit sa address ng receiver?
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Hello good day,
I have a package from china, that was a four pairs of shoes who bought by my friend an ofw and this shoes was for his son and nephew as a gift.. She talked to me that she will send the package into my name in reason that the post office is near in BANGA POLICE STATION where i assigned… THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE NO ANY RECEIPTS OF THAT SHOES.. How can we claim those package?
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I received a letter from uour good office to be have a POP. how can we claim the package because of
no receipts?
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Hi is the shipping fee included in calculating the total value?
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good morning sir.. eto po un nakalagay sa status ko online..”Returned from Customs (CUSTOMS STATUS: Import authorized)” anu po ibig sabhin nito? thanks in advance sir god belss
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ask kolang po kung nakuha nyo na po yung package?
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How about if the recipient of the is from far away provinces, let’s say southern luzon or worse southern Philippines? So it is but an additional cost, where is the justice?
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Mga kawatan lahat yang nasa Bureau of Customs, d talaga nila ipapadala sa Provincial Main P.O. nyo ung mga package(s) nyo dahil antayin ka nilang pumunta sa CMEC para sabihin sa inyong more than P10K ang halaga ng laman ng package nyo kaya kelangan magprovide kayo ng receipt or pagpapatunay na less than P10K ung worth ng items sa package niyo. Nagsulat na ako sa Office of the President at nagbigay na rin ako ng mga list of names of those kupal jan sa customs ng CMEC para maimbestigahan at sana makasohan at matanggal sa serbisyo…pweh!
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Totoo yan ang sinabi mo, ito yong mga taong kumpleto nman ang pagkatao,may puso’t kaluluwa pero ang nsa isip nla kng papano mkakuha ng malaking pera sa kapwa lalo na akin na inusinti sa ganitong bagay…ngpadala yng kapatid ko ng pantalon,damit,vitamins,toothpaste,medyas,underwear at chocolate na ngkahalaga lhat ng 541 US dollar , ang computation ng taga Patag Silay kababayan ko pa nman 8,450 pesos isipin mo yong compute nla parang binili ko lng yng pinadala ng kapatid ko…sa madali’t sabi d ko kinuha hanggang sa nag offer sila ng 6k without receipt so no choice tinanggap ko dhil wla akong alam na mapagtanungan..ang binayaran ko lng na may receipt yng handling fee na 240 dhil dalawang box..isipin mo wlang khirap hirap yng 6k sa knilang dalawa,samantala ako hirap na hirap hanapin yng 6k …ang sakin na lng bumalik sana sa kanilang pamilya ang mga panloloko na ginagawa nila sa kapwa…payat yng inabutan ko ng 6k doon sa likod malapit sa CR at yng kasama nyang taga patag Silay na nagcompute…pgnakita ko yan sa amin iwan ko lng sa gago na yan…mamamatay din kayong mga hayop kayo… sana mka rating ito sa kinauukulan..
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I have an package from UK but until now unot deliver to my place, its almost 1 month now. Parcel #EE581295292GBil-w. Its supposed to be delivery but still not yet deliver. waiting for ur reply thanks.
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May nag message na po sa akin from philpost po. Pwede na po ba ko mag punta mismo sa ems philpost office o hihintayin ko po muna yung notice card na dumating po ?
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Hi, I’m from America, I sent my girlfriend a package for our 1 year Anniversary and everything is all wrapped inside with bows and a card, it’s been saying in the tracking details “item for customs examination” for 4 days now. It’s valued Over 10,000 pesos. I messaged customs and haven’t really gotten any info other than it may have not yet been presented to customs. They had me send proof of payment for the items which I did, everything from receipts to screenshots of payment from my bank account. My question and my concern Is, if my gf is ever notified to go collect the package (which is far away from her) will they open the wrapped presents I have in there for her? I wanted it to be something she opens at her convenience and privately. Thank you for your time, I’m just really worried, I put a lot of effort into making everything pretty for her and I don’t want it ruined. I’m hoping since I sent proof of payment they will just send her the package.
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Thank you. This is very helpful. More than 1 month na yung email correspondence ko with customs customer service. Once a week nagsesend sila follow-up sa CMEC but no response. Nagsermon na ako sa email wala p rin. Follow-up lang ng follow up si customer care kay CMEC on status. So trny ko tawagan mismo yun customer care and pinapunta nila ako sa philpost pasay. Bring 2 valid ids and proof of payment. Dadalhin ko na rin tracking info and storage fee as indicated here. Thanks again!
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thank you
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Kailan po darating ang package ko from Korea to Philippines no updated parin until now
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mga kurakot tlga yan mga yan.. pa raffy tulfo na yan..
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EY450117590US
Pwde mag Inquire kung bakit hindi kopa nakuha ang Package ko galing sa California
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open ba cla ng saturday?
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open ba cla ng saturday?
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How to claim my package in cotabato city…untill now my husband did not recieve messege from ems express pls help me how to get that package in cotabato city
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Is it open today khit ramadan?
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How much po yung tax sa 24k? Amount nung package
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Hello may i ask you po under DHL po yung sakin pero nahold din po 4days ng puro updated sabi need ko daw po mag bigay ng proof sa philpost pdin po ba ang punta ko
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LC759935807US Anong na kayang ngyari Sa package ko (small packet) isang buwan na po pero hindi parin na deliver sa visayas (Lapu-Lapu City) sana naman po ma deliver na kasi may28 pa nasa manila til now wala parin at very important po yung mga documents kasi for visa po yun. Sana man lang mag update kayo. Godbless
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how much duties for 27k import form U.S.
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Sir/maam good morning po, kailan nyo po ba ire-release ung package ko? Isang buwan na naka transit (cp313097275my)
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Hangang kailan nyo po ba itatambak nlng sa transit ung package ko? O baka napag diskitahan na ninyo po ung pacakage ko? Paki update naman po ako sa package ko cp313097285my
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Hello pwede po ba makuha yung philippine contact number nyu? Kasi po tagal nadin po ng ipinadala saken wala padin po ako narerecieve . Thanks
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Still corrupt the BOC,may parcel amount is 554,00 u.s.dollars ang laman damit,vitamins,chocolates,toothpaste,medyas at delata ang compute ng tax nila 8,450 masyadong malaki…d ko kinuha until nag offer sila na 6,000 without receipt..no choice tinanggap ko,bali ang may resibo lng yng 112 na binayaran ko sa handling…ilonggo yng nag compute taga patag silay at yng payat na tao ang inabutan ko ng pera doon sa likod malapit sa cr ng building…sana yamaman sila at patuloy na ipamana sa pamilya nila ang kanilang mabuting gawain…mamatay din kayo mga hayop kayo…may picture po ako ng computation nila na 8,450 andito sa phone ko to probe it corruption nobody can’t stop it even Mr.President Duterte..unless you have God in your heart..God bless to this two corrupt person.
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This post is very helpful. Some commentors here don’t realize that this is a private post and not a post by PhilPost.
Even non-EMS parcels, if your address is within Metro Manila, I found out just now, that when the tracking status is “HELD BY CUSTOMS”,you will still have to go to CMEC/EMS office in Pasay (Domestic Road) and bring proof/s of Payment and claim your parcel there at the AIR MAIL EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT. Their Facebook site is very helpful and usually replies to queries very quickly.
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Thanks Johann for your support! 🙂
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Hi! Pano po kung padala lang po talaga ng friend galing ibang bansa yung package and no proof of payment?
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Hello! Just wanna ask, if the package is listed as a gift, do they still need a proof of purchase from me? My package arrived today, would it be alright to go straight to the post office in pasay to claim it? Or should I wait for further updates?
Thank you!
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Hi Dani, if you have the time and it’s convenient for you – I think it’s best if you drop by so it would be faster to claim instead of waiting. Yes, prepare a proof of purchase/receipt so you’re ready in case they ask for it. 🙂
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Hi. If the status of my package is “Received item at Delivery Office”, is it the CMEC office still? I asked the local PO but it says that it is still with Pasay. Pasay Post Office is different from CMEC office, right? Thank you.
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Hi Kate! if your local PO is saying it is still in Pasay, I believe they are referring to CMEC (Central Mail Exchange Center) where everything is sorted before delivering to local PO 🙂
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This is very helpful indeed. I was able to claim my parcel that has not been updated in the tracking system for a month. You should check with your local PO first if your parcel is still with CMEC. After getting pointers from this blog I went to CMEC and for those who have vehicles you can park inside CMEC compound or I was just lucky there wasn’t a lot of customers. Thanks again to this blog.
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Hi Argiel, Thanks for dropping by! Glad you were able to claim your parcel without hassle! 🙂
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PAMBIHIRA NAMAN WALANG GALAWAN YUNG PADALA HELD BY COSTUM TAPOS FOR EVER NA D GUMAGALAW ..SEPT. 16 PA NAKA HELD BY COSTUM
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Pano ko Po macclaim ung package ko e isang I’d Lang po meron ako pede Po ba isang voter’s I’d tpos PSA nlng po?
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