Car Shipping to Philippines
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- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
Car Shipping from UK to Philippines, Manila
Thinking about shipping your vehicle to Manila? Whether you’re relocating, sending a car to family, or returning home after years abroad, getting your vehicle to the Philippines is entirely achievable — and with the right team by your side, it doesn’t have to be stressful.
At Ship Cars Ltd, we’ve helped hundreds of customers successfully ship their vehicles from the UK to Manila. We know the process inside out, and we’re here to walk you through every step of the journey.
Popular Topic: How to Get the Best Quote for Car Shipping
Why Ship Your Car to Manila?
Manila is the beating heart of the Philippines — a bustling, vibrant capital city where having your own vehicle makes an enormous difference to daily life. Public transport in Manila can be unpredictable, and navigating the city is far more comfortable in a car you already know and trust.
Shipping Made Simpler
For many of our customers, shipping their existing vehicle from the UK simply makes more sense than buying a new one abroad. You know your car’s full history, you’ve maintained it yourself, and in many cases it works out significantly more cost-effective than purchasing locally.
Whatever your reason for shipping, we’re here to make sure your vehicle arrives safely, on time, and without the paperwork headaches.
How We Ship Your Vehicle to Manila
We offer two tried-and-tested shipping methods for vehicles heading to the Port of Manila:
Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo)
RoRo Shipping is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping a single vehicle. Your car is simply driven onto a specialist car-carrying vessel, secured safely on board, and driven off again on arrival in Manila. There are no containers involved, which keeps costs down and the process straightforward.
Container Shipping
If you’d prefer added protection for your vehicle — or if you want to ship personal belongings alongside your car — Container Shipping is the way to go. Your vehicle is loaded into either a shared container (groupage) or a dedicated sole-use container, giving it full protection throughout the voyage.
Not sure which method suits you best? Give our team a call and we’ll help you weigh up the options based on your vehicle, your budget, and your timeline.
You may also like to read Car Shipping Methods
Transit Time: UK to Manila
From the UK, you can typically expect your vehicle to arrive at the Port of Manila within 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the shipping method chosen and the departure schedule. We’ll keep you updated throughout the entire journey, so you’re never left wondering where your car is.
The Port of Manila
The Port of Manila (South Harbor, Manila, Philippines) is the Philippines’ primary and busiest port for vehicle imports. It is well-equipped to handle international car shipments and has a dedicated customs processing facility — the One Stop Shop Processing Centre (OSPC) — specifically for imported motor vehicles. Once all your documentation is in order, customs clearance can typically be completed within 48 hours of filing your entry.
Important Import Rules for the Philippines
Before we ship your vehicle, there are a few key regulations set by the Philippine government that you need to be aware of. These aren’t hurdles — they’re simply boxes to tick, and our team will guide you through all of them.
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Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles only — Under Philippine law (Republic Act No. 8406), right-hand drive vehicles are strictly prohibited from being imported. Since most UK-registered vehicles are right-hand drive, this is a crucial point to discuss with us before booking.
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Vehicle age restrictions — Vehicles older than five years cannot generally be imported under the standard programme.
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One vehicle per family — Only one motor vehicle per family unit is permitted under the Non-Diplomatic Importation (NDI) programme.
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Minimum ownership period — Your vehicle must have been registered in your name for at least six months prior to shipment.
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Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) — Before your vehicle is shipped, you will need to obtain a CAI from the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) in the Philippines.
We strongly recommend discussing your specific situation with our team early in the process so we can confirm your vehicle’s eligibility before any arrangements are made.
Do read to know more about UK Essential Car Shipping Rules
Documents You’ll Need
Sorting your paperwork early makes everything run far more smoothly. Here’s what you’ll typically need to ship your vehicle to Manila:
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Original vehicle title / V5C logbook
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Valid passport (copy)
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Bill of Sale or proof of purchase
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Vehicle registration certificate
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Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) from BIS
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Completed NDI application form
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Original Bill of Lading (provided by Ship Cars)
Our team will provide you with a full personalised checklist once you book, so nothing gets missed.
Taxes & Duties on Arrival
It’s important to budget for import duties and taxes when shipping to the Philippines. Imported vehicles are subject to:
- Customs duty of 40%
- Value Added Tax (VAT) of 12%
- Ad Valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% depending on the engine’s piston displacement
These charges are calculated based on the CIF value of your vehicle — that’s the combined cost of the car itself, the shipping freight, and insurance. The Philippine Bureau of Customs also references universally approved motor vehicle valuation guides (such as the Blue Book) rather than the purchase price alone.
Certain individuals — including returning Filipino nationals, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and diplomatic personnel — may be eligible for duty and tax exemptions. Speak to our team if you believe you may qualify.
Registering Your Vehicle in the Philippines
Once your vehicle clears customs, you’ll need to register it with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). You’ll need your customs declaration, passport, proof of insurance, and a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR), among other documents. Our team can advise you on the LTO process so you’re fully prepared before your car even leaves the UK.
Ship Your Car With Ship Cars Ltd Today
Shipping a car to Manila from the UK is a significant undertaking, but it’s one we handle every single day. From the moment you contact us to the moment your vehicle is in your hands in Manila, Ship Cars Ltd is with you every step of the way. You can trust our expert team to handle everything required to do during car shipping processes.
Ready to get started? Request your free, no-obligation quote today and let’s get your vehicle on its way to Manila.
Call us | Email us | Get an Instant Online Quote or check our sailing schedule to get your car shipping process started with Ship Cars ltd.
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