Shopping and Living in Philippines


DUTY-FREE SHOPPING

Overview

The following items can be imported into the Philippines duty-free (people over 18 years of age):

2 cartons of cigarettes (approx. 400 cigarettes) and 2 cans of tobacco (approx. 250 g tobacco);
2 bottles of alcoholic beverages (none of which over 1 l).

A commodity of a kind worth up to US $ 200.

Items of personal use up to a maximum value of US $ 1,000 for persons aged 18 and over (up to US $ 250 for persons under 18 years of age)

Import restrictions

An import permit is required for the importation of plants, fruit and vegetables. The import of potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage and coffee is prohibited.

Prohibited imports

Weapons, weapon parts and ammunition (including spurious ones), explosives, night vision devices, drugs, slot machines and gaming articles, products that are made of valuable metals and have no indication of their purity, pornographic material, narcotics and substances that can be used to induce an abortion.

ECONOMY

Business etiquette

Safari suits or a long-sleeved barong tagalog are perfectly acceptable for business visits. Pre-registration is required and business cards are welcome. The business style is American and most of the time English is spoken. The best months for business visits are October through November and January through March.

Business hours are very different. Many offices are open Mon-Fri 9 am-5pm.

Economy

Philippine Trade and Investment Center
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 22, D-50672 Cologne
Tel: (0221) 13 48 72.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
19 / F Axa Life Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo Street, Makati City , PH-Manila 1200
Tel: (02) 845 13 24
Internet: www.eccp.com

Philippine chamber of Commerce and Industry (Philippine chamber of Commerce)
Internet: www.philippinechamber.com

Business contacts

Philippine Trade and Investment Center
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 22, D-50672 Cologne
Tel: (0221) 13 48 72.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
19 / F Axa Life Center, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo Street, Makati City , PH-Manila 1200
Tel: (02) 845 13 24
Internet: www.eccp.com

Philippine chamber of Commerce and Industry (Philippine chamber of Commerce)
Internet: www.philippinechamber.com

COMMUNICATION

Phone

National and international direct dialing.

Cellphone

GSM 900 and GSM 1800. Network operators are Smart Communications Inc. (Internet: www.smart.com.ph) and Globe Telecom (Internet: www.globe.com.ph). The transmission / reception range for cellular communications is limited to Manila and other urban areas.

Internet

Internet providers are Internet Manila (Internet: www.i-manila.com.ph) and Philworld Online (Internet: www.pworld.net.ph. Internet cafés are available nationwide.

Post Office

Airmail to Europe takes at least 5 days. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 8 am-5pm. The national postal system is supported by international courier services.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

SHOP

Overview

Popular souvenirs are Barong Tagalog (hand-embroidered men’s shirts made of fine Jusi fabric), Tiffany lamps made of capiz shells, weaving, brassware from the southern islands, wood carvings, wickerwork and rare seashells, rattan furniture, baskets, grass mats (banig), ancient ones Wooden figures, items of clothing embroidered with the traditional Callado, Filipino dresses for women (made from banana or pineapple leaf fibers), cigars and abaca placemats.

There are air-conditioned shopping centers in all cities. However, the more original shopping experience is offered by the traditional markets that are found in all larger towns. In Manila you should visit the Makati district for a shopping spree, where several modern shopping centers offer a diverse range of products. In the Tiendesitas shopping area in Pasig there are 12 pavilions, in which you can buy everything from antiques to fashion and furniture. The numerous flea markets in and around Manila, on the other hand, promise a rather chaotic shopping pleasure, the most famous being the Divisoria Marketin tondo. Although there is a large selection of handicrafts in Manila, more authentic pieces are more likely to be found outside the capital. The Baguio region is known for its silver jewelry and handicrafts, while the Carbon Market in the city of Cebu, one of the largest and oldest weekly markets, is a real tourist magnet.

Opening hours

Differently; generally Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Most department stores and supermarkets are also open on Sundays. Some grocery stores are open around the clock.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels

There are over 11,000 first class hotel rooms in Manila, the capital city of Philippines, a country located in Asia according to commit4fitness. There are also smaller hotels, guest houses, hostels and guest houses available. Prices are often quoted in both pesos and US dollars. The majority of the hotels are members of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), 4th Floor, Golden Rock Building, 168 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, PH-Makati City 1229. Tel: (02) 816 24 21. (Internet: http://www.hrap.org.ph/)

Many regions also have their own hotel associations. The Philippines Tourist Office can provide more information. You have to reckon with power outages. The big hotels have their own independent generators.

Categories:
Tourist class, standard class, 1st class and deluxe; 18% of the hotels belong to the 1st class and deluxe class; sometimes the star system is also used to classify hotels.

Camping

Only possible in a few selected places.

Living in Philippines

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