Bohol, Philippines
Customs clearance in Bohol
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Bohol. Customs clearance in the Philippines is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Bohol and how we support them
Bohol's economy is driven by tourism, with resorts on Panglao and around the island creating demand for hotel equipment, food and beverages and building materials. The island also produces crafts such as woven baskets and food products. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with air freight via CEB or MNL on our own air waybills, onward transport to Bohol by air or ferry, Next Flight Out for urgent resort or utility spare parts and LCL sea freight via Cebu. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house.
Operational logistics facts for Bohol
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG) | Domestic and regional air freight | Airport on Panglao, close to the resorts |
| Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) | International air freight for Bohol | Main air gateway nearby, with ferry links to Tagbilaran |
| Tagbilaran Port | Ro-ro and fast craft cargo | Frequent sea connections to Cebu |
| Panglao resorts | Hotel equipment, food and beverages | Supply flows routed via Cebu |
Airports, seaports and connections in Bohol
- AirportBohol-Panglao
TAG - AirportCebu
CEB - SeaportTagbilaran
Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG) on Panglao Island, opened in 2018, is Bohol's airport, with domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and some regional international services. Cargo for Bohol mostly moves via Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) or Manila and is then flown or shipped to the island. Sea freight arrives at Tagbilaran Port, which has frequent fast craft and ro-ro connections to Cebu.
Bridges connect Panglao Island and the airport with Tagbilaran City, and main roads circle Bohol. Fast craft and ro-ro ferries link Tagbilaran with Cebu City, and other ferries connect Bohol with Mindanao and Leyte. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Bohol.
Clearance by our own team in the Philippines
In the Philippines our own customs team files the declarations. Questions about classification, valuation or missing documents are answered directly by the people who prepare the entry, without a third party in between.
Customs clearance in the Philippines
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in the Philippines is handled by our own in-house customs team.
For air freight to and from the Philippines we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in the Philippines need accreditation as an importer with the Bureau of Customs.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in the Philippines can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Where are imports for Bohol cleared?
Imports are usually cleared at the first port of entry, mainly Cebu or Manila, and then moved to Bohol domestically. Our own customs team handles the declarations in-house, without outside brokers.
What permits do food and beverage imports for Bohol resorts need?
Many food and beverage products need FDA clearances, and some agricultural products need permits from the Bureau of Plant Industry or Bureau of Animal Industry. Our customs team checks the requirements during tariff classification.
Can you clear hotel equipment imported for a resort project in Bohol?
Yes. Hotel equipment is declared like other imports, and some tourism projects benefit from incentives that need supporting documents. Our customs team reviews the case and prepares the declaration.