FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What are Prohibited Items? 2. What does Volumetric Weight mean? How is it computed? 3. Is my Shipment Insured? 4. Who pays for Customs Duties and Taxes? 5. What is the difference between a document and a parcel shipment? 6. What is the difference between door-to-door and door-to-port? 7. What is the difference between the Postal or Mailing System with the Courier Delivery? 8. What is a Proof of Delivery (POD)? 9. What is an Invoice?
1. What are prohibited items?
The following are considered prohibited items: (Please call our Customer Service Dept. for guidance) Perishable goods Flammable materials (high alcohol content / flash point) Explosives (Including aerosols / pressurized vessels e.g., perfumes) Pirated items (VCDs / CDs / DVDs) Counterfeit / Imitation (signature bags / branded items) Toxic, Infectious, radioactive, corrosive substances Precious metals and stones Cash and cash equivalent Pornographic materials
2. What does Volumetric Weight mean? How is it computed?
Volumetric weight applies mostly to shipments that are bulky but are lightweight. Examples of these are: comforters, pillows, foam mattresses, etc. These items weigh very little but they consume a lot of space in the aircraft or containers that is why there is a standard way of computing for their equivalent volume weight.
Here is the standard computation to get the volume weight:
For International:
For Domestic:
The resulting Volume Weight is compared with the Actual Weight and whichever is higher is used as the basis for the charges.
3. Is my Shipment Insured?
Yes, International Shipments are insured up to USD100.00, while Domestic Shipments are insured up to PHP100.00. Be sure to declare the value of your shipment to facilitate your claim. Valuation charges may apply to High Value items.
4. Who pays for Customs Duties and Taxes?
Duties and taxes may be levied by Customs and Immigration Personnel upon the arrival of your shipment at its final destination. This is usually paid for by the recipient of your shipment. The consignee shall be notified of the arrival of the shipment as well as the amount of the assessment of the Customs Personnel.
5. What is the difference between a document and a parcel shipment?
A document is any piece of paper that contains relevant information e.g., passport, birth certificate, NBI clearance, company files, personal files, invoice, bill of lading, etc. A parcel is anything that is not a document e.g., CDs, diskettes, books, booklets, etc.
6. What is the difference between door-to-door and door-to-port?
Door-to-door shipment means your cargo is picked up at your doorstep and delivered at the doorstep of your consignee. Door-to-port, on the other hand, is a service wherein your shipment is picked up at your doorstep but is delivered to the airport or seaport warehouse only. This means that your consignee will be the one to pick up your shipment at the warehouse and he will also be the one to clear the shipment through customs. In both cases, the duties and taxes charged by the Customs and Immigration Officers will always be for the account of the consignee.
7. What is the difference between the Postal or Mailing System with the Courier Delivery?
A postal or mail delivery is usually not time-sensitive, meaning, it is not urgent or a rush delivery. A Courier Delivery, on the other hand, is time-definite (needs to be delivered before a particular time), it has a tracking system to monitor the whereabouts of your shipment and it has a proof of delivery (POD).
8. What is a Proof of Delivery (POD)?
A POD is a system that records who received your shipment at a particular date and time.
9. What is an Invoice?
An invoice is required by Customs Personnel to check on your shipment upon its arrival at the country of destination. All parcel shipments are required to present an invoice upon entry at the country of destination. The Invoice should contain information as to the names, addresses, and contact details of the sender and recipient. It also shows a detailed list of the items you are sending and their declared values. Lastly, it should state the purpose of your shipment. For a sample form of Invoice click here.