Prohibited/Restricted Importations

1. WHAT ARE REGULATED IMPORTATIONS/EXPORTATIONS?

Regulated Imports/Exports are goods which are subject to (import/export) regulations by concerned government regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), etc.

Regulated goods may be imported or exported only after securing (from the concerned government regulatory agency) the necessary permit/s, clearance/s, license/s, or any other requirements, prior to importation or exportation, as the case may be.

Regulated Imports/Exports include, but are not limited to, the following:

Food products (processed or unprocessed), plant products, animal products, aquatic products, drugs and chemical products, used motor vehicles, electrical appliances, telecommunication equipment, tobacco products, mineral products, etc.

2. WHAT ARE RESTRICTED IMPORTATIONS/EXPORTATIONS?

Restricted Imports/Exports are goods which may be imported or exported ONLY when authorized by law or regulation. As provided under the CMTA, the following are restricted imports/exports:

1. Dynamite, gunpowder, ammunitions and other explosives, firearms and weapons of war, or parts thereof;

2. Roulette wheels, gambling outfits, loaded dice, marked cards, machines, apparatus or mechanical devices used in gambling or the distribution of money, cigars, cigarettes or other goods when such distribution is dependent on chance, including jackpot and pinball machines or similar contrivances, or parts thereof;

3. Lottery and sweepstakes tickets, except advertisements thereof and lists of drawings therein;

4. Marijuana, opium, poppies, coca leaves, heroin or other narcotics or synthetic drugs which are or may hereafter be declared habit forming by the President of the Philippines, or any compound, manufactured salt, derivative, or preparation thereof, except when imported by the government of the Philippines or any person duly authorized by the Dangerous Drugs Board, for medicinal purposes;

5. Opium pipes or parts thereof, of whatever material; and

6. Any other goods whose importation and exportation are restricted.

The restriction to import or export the above stated goods shall include the restriction on their transit.

3. WHAT ABOUT PROHIBITED IMPORTATIONS/EXPORTATIONS?

Prohibited Imports/Exports are goods which are, by their nature, unlawful to be imported or exported. These goods are otherwise called as “contrabands”. As provided under the CMTA, the following are prohibited imports/exports:

1. Written or printed goods in any form containing any matter advocating or inciting treason, rebellion, insurrection, sedition against the government of the Philippines, or forcible resistance to any law of the Philippines, or written or printed goods containing any threat to take the life of, or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the Philippines;

2. Goods, instruments, drugs and substances designed, intended or adapted for producing unlawful abortion, or any printed matter which advertises, describes or gives direct or indirect information where, how or by whom unlawful abortion is committed;

3. Written or printed goods, negatives or cinematographic films, photographs, engravings, lithographs, objects, paintings, drawings or other representation of an obscene or immoral character;

4. Any goods manufactured in whole or in part of gold, silver or other precious metals or alloys and the stamp, brand or mark does not indicate the actual fineness of quality of the metals or alloys;

5. Any adulterated or misbranded food or goods for human consumption or any adulterated or misbranded drug in violation of relevant laws and regulations;

6. Infringing goods as defined under the Intellectual Property Code and related laws; and

7. All other goods or parts thereof, which importation and exportation are explicitly prohibited by law or rules and regulations issued by the competent authority.

(SOURCE: CMTA)