Importing from China to Philippines: certification
Start by checking whether your product falls under Philippine mandatory certification: covered goods cannot be distributed without the necessary PS or ICC marks. Agree the evidence with your broker before ordering, then arrange factory checks and a quote to your Philippine port. Cambridge China Bridge coordinates the China-side work.
Check mandatory product certification before ordering
The Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) states that products covered by mandatory certification, whether imported or locally manufactured, cannot be distributed in the Philippine market without the necessary Philippine Standard (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks. Check whether your exact product is covered before committing to a Chinese factory.
Send your Philippine broker the product description, model, intended use and proposed supplier. Ask them to confirm the applicable certification route, evidence and marking arrangements before you approve production. The UAE guide illustrates a different destination gate; use Philippine requirements for this order.
Agree a quote to your Philippine port
Tell us your destination port, product specification, quantity and packing requirements. We can quote to your own Philippine port through our UK company purchasing service. Ask the quote to identify the shipping term, freight, insurance arrangements and where responsibility transfers.
Have your broker budget separately for Philippine clearance, duties, taxes, destination charges and onward delivery. Ask us to state which charges the port quote includes. The guide for buyers outside the UK explains the wider procurement arrangement without substituting UK calculations for your local costs.
Prepare the document pack in China
We coordinate the commercial invoice and packing list with the factory and the agreed seller. Ask your broker to approve the seller and consignee details, product descriptions and document format before dispatch. Arrange a certificate of origin where your broker confirms it is needed, and agree who obtains it.
Ask the factory for test reports covering the actual model, materials and configuration ordered. BPS states that the ICC test report is issued by a laboratory recognised by DTI-BPS. Have the broker confirm the proposed laboratory and evidence before commissioning tests; a report for a similar product may leave your order unresolved.
Check the supplier and inspect the shipment
Our own staff in China check the supplier's identity, production site and capability against your specification. Confirm which site will make the goods and whether work will be subcontracted. The factory verification guide explains the underlying identity checks.
Agree samples, acceptance criteria, packaging and label artwork before production. We coordinate production and pre-shipment checks, record defects and check corrections before requesting your release decision. Keep inspection findings separate from certification evidence. Factory audits and inspections are usually included in the quote; complex checks that need a third party are charged separately and agreed in advance.
Give your own broker the arrival handover
Appoint your Philippine customs broker before ordering. Ask them to check your importer status, product permissions and certification arrangements, then handle the arrival declaration, classification, valuation, supporting documents and clearance coordination. Your own customs broker confirms the final entry and the duties and taxes payable.
Send the broker the agreed invoice, packing list, transport document, any certificate of origin and the relevant test and certification records before arrival. Ask them to identify missing evidence before dispatch. Agree who handles any inspection query, port release, collection and onward delivery, and keep a shared record of outstanding actions.
Frequently asked questions
Do all China imports need Philippine product certification?
BPS applies the PS or ICC marking requirement to products covered by mandatory certification. Ask your Philippine broker to check the exact product and applicable route before ordering.
Can a UK sourcing company quote to my Philippine port?
Yes. Cambridge China Bridge can quote to your chosen port. Agree the shipping term and included charges; have your broker confirm Philippine clearance costs and onward delivery.
Which documents should I request from the Chinese factory?
Coordinate the commercial invoice and packing list with the factory and seller. Request applicable test reports and arrange a certificate of origin where your broker confirms it is needed.
Does a pre-shipment inspection replace certification?
An inspection records checks against your agreed specification. Keep it separate from product testing and certification evidence, and ask your broker to confirm what the Philippine route requires.