What You Can't Import from China to the Philippines
Few things are more expensive than goods that get seized, refused at the warehouse, or abandoned at port. Read this before you pay a supplier deposit — not after.
Items our warehouses cannot accept
Counterfeit and replica goods
- Fake, counterfeit, or cloned brand items
- Replicas of any branded product
- Items infringing copyright, patents, or intellectual property
This is the number one reason first-time importers lose money. If your supplier is offering branded goods at an impossible price, you are buying counterfeits — and they will not clear customs.
Second-hand clothing
- Ukay-ukay, bale, pre-loved items
- OEM overruns sold as second-hand
Importing used clothing commercially is restricted in the Philippines under longstanding law.
Living and perishable goods
- Live plants and animals
- Frozen goods
- Raw agricultural items (garlic, onions, and similar)
These require specialised permits and handling that standard consolidated freight cannot provide.
High-value and regulated goods
- Real gold and luxury items
- Guns and gun parts
- Illegal substances of any kind
Dangerous goods
- Certain chemicals, flammables, and corrosives
If you're unsure whether your product is classed as dangerous, ask before shipping. Some items are acceptable with advance notice — call the warehouse first.
What happens if you try anyway
Prohibited items are refused at our China warehouses — they never enter the shipping process. That's deliberate, and it protects you: a refusal at origin costs far less than a seizure at Philippine customs, where you can lose the goods entirely and face penalties.
The grey areas — ask first
Some categories aren't outright banned but need permits or clearances: food products, cosmetics, supplements, medical devices, and electronics with radio transmitters. Getting an FDA or NTC clearance is often possible, but it must be arranged before the goods ship.
Before you pay any supplier
- Confirm your product isn't on the prohibited list above.
- Check whether it needs a permit or clearance.
- Confirm the supplier will label every box with your client code.
- Get accurate dimensions and weight — inaccurate details change your quote.
Related reading
Not sure about your product?
Message our team — we'll tell you honestly whether it can ship before you commit money to it.
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