Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Customs clearance in Puerto Princesa
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Puerto Princesa. Customs clearance in the Philippines is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Industries in Puerto Princesa and how we support them
Palawan's economy combines tourism, fisheries and mining. Seafood, including live and fresh fish and seaweed, is shipped to Manila and export markets, while nickel mining in southern Palawan and the Malampaya gas project offshore drive demand for equipment and spare parts. Resorts in El Nido and around the island import supplies. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with air freight via PPS and MNL on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for urgent mining or resort spare parts and sea freight via Manila. Our own customs team handles declarations in-house.
Operational logistics facts for Puerto Princesa
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) | Domestic air freight | Main airport of Palawan with flights to Manila and Cebu |
| Puerto Princesa Port | Domestic shipping | Sea freight link to Manila |
| Southern Palawan mining area | Nickel mining, equipment, spare parts | Urgent spares by air via PPS |
| Palawan fisheries | Live and fresh fish, seaweed | Perishables routed via Manila |
Airports, seaports and connections in Puerto Princesa
- AirportPuerto Princesa
PPS - AirportManila
MNL - SeaportPuerto Princesa Port
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) is the main airport of Palawan, with domestic flights to Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). Cargo for Puerto Princesa mostly moves via Manila and is flown or shipped to the island, because international services at PPS are limited and mainly carry passengers. Puerto Princesa Port handles domestic shipping and supplies for the province, with container and general cargo arriving from Manila. For time-critical goods, air freight via Manila is the usual choice; for bulky supplies and equipment, domestic sea freight is more economical.
The national highway runs north from Puerto Princesa to Roxas, Taytay and El Nido and south to Brooke's Point and the mining areas of southern Palawan. Domestic shipping lines connect Puerto Princesa Port with Manila and other islands. We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Puerto Princesa area.
In-house customs team
Import and export entries for the Philippines are prepared and filed by our in-house customs team. The same team checks the documents before the goods leave origin, so most open points are settled before the goods arrive.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
Where are imports for Palawan cleared?
Imports are usually cleared at the first port of entry, mainly Manila, and then moved to Puerto Princesa domestically. Our own customs team handles the declarations in-house, without outside brokers.
Can you clear mining equipment for Palawan?
Yes. Mining equipment is declared like other imports, and some projects benefit from incentives that need supporting documents. Our customs team reviews the case and prepares the declaration.
What documents do seafood exports from Palawan need?
Seafood exports need health certificates and must meet the destination's import rules. Some species are protected or restricted. Our customs team checks the requirements and prepares the export declaration.