60+
Countries shipped
7 days
Avg transit
$14.99
Forward fee
$0
Subscription
Package forwarding to Manila — balikbayan via courier, no door-to-door wait.
Selectido ships from Minneapolis, USA to Manila via DHL Express / FedEx International Priority in 5-7 business days on most orders. Forwarding fee is $14.99 per outbound package, plus actual carrier shipping with no markup. Manila is one of our top APAC destinations. The Filipino diaspora pattern — sending balikbayan boxes from US to family — accounts for huge demand. Selectido does it faster than traditional balikbayan shipping companies (5-7 days vs. 6-8 weeks) and competitively priced when consolidated.
How it works for Manila-bound shipments
- Sign up for a free Selectido US address. Real Minneapolis suite address (not a PO box, not a blacklisted forwarder ZIP). Sign-up takes 60 seconds at selectido.com/forwarding.
- Use the address at any US e-commerce site. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Apple, Sephora — all of them. We even support live in-store shopping if a US site won't ship to forwarders at all.
- We receive, photograph, and inspect. Every package gets opened, contents photographed, and held in your suite until you say ship.
- Pick the carrier and route. DHL Express / FedEx International Priority for fastest, or USPS/UPS economy for cheaper. You see actual carrier rates — we don't mark them up.
- Ships with full customs paperwork. Honest declared values, harmonized tariff codes, gift markings when applicable.
Top US products our Manila customers order
🍼
Baby formula
Similac, Enfamil — Manila #1 import
🍎Apple iPhone / iPad
15-25% cheaper vs. PH retail
🍫US snacks
Hershey's, Reese's, Cheez-It
💄US skincare
CeraVe, Aveeno, Cetaphil
💊OTC medications
Tylenol PM, Zyrtec, Pepto
🏀NBA / NFL merch
Jerseys, hats — popular gifts
Customs and import duty for Philippines
- Personal-import threshold (de minimis): PHP 10,000 (~$180 USD).
- Above threshold: Variable duty + 12% VAT. Electronics: typically 0-3% duty + 12% VAT. Apparel: 15% duty + 12% VAT.
- Required documentation: Valid PH government ID (or passport for OFW returnees). Tax Identification Number (TIN) helpful but not required for personal-use shipments under threshold.
- Customs speed: 2-4 days in MNL (Ninoy Aquino International Airport / NAIA Customs). Slightly longer during holidays (Christmas season especially).
- Restricted items: Some pharmaceuticals require FDA-PH approval; firearms parts prohibited; certain food items restricted.
Manila-specific shipping notes
Manila shipments arrive at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and clear through Bureau of Customs. DHL Express and FedEx International Priority offer door-to-door delivery throughout Metro Manila (NCR) and many provinces.
- ZIP code required (4-digit Philippine ZIP). NCR ZIP codes start with 1.
- Barangay name is essential for last-mile in addition to street/subdivision.
- Condominiums: Include unit number, floor, building name, and tower if applicable.
- Mobile number required — DHL/FedEx send SMS coordination.
- For provinces outside NCR (Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, etc.): add 2-3 days for last-mile.
- For islands without DHL/FedEx coverage (some Visayas, Mindanao): we route via LBC or J&T last-mile.
Balikbayan-style recurring shipments
Traditional balikbayan boxes take 6-8 weeks at sea freight. Selectido offers the same use case (US goods from US-based family member to PH-based family) at courier speed (5-7 days) for a similar all-in cost when packages are consolidated. Many OFW families use Selectido for time-sensitive items (medication, formula, electronics) while still doing sea freight balikbayan for bulk items.
Shipping cost examples to Manila
- 2 lb electronics box (AirPods Pro): ~$25-40 carrier shipping + $14.99 forwarding.
- 5 lb snack/care package: ~$35-60 carrier + $14.99 forwarding.
- 10 lb electronics + accessories: ~$55-90 + $14.99 forwarding.
- 20 lb consolidated order: ~$100-160 + $14.99 forwarding.
Exact rates depend on dimensions, weight, declared value, and carrier choice. You see all rates before confirming ship-out.
Common reasons people use Selectido for Manila shipments
- US retailer won't ship to Philippines. Roughly 40-60% of US e-commerce won't ship internationally. We're your US address.
- Your international card got declined at US checkout. Book live shopping; we use our US card.
- You want a US-only product. Trader Joe's, Costco-only items, US-exclusive Sephora, Apple US-only colorways, Stanley Quencher LE colors — all available.
- You want bulk consolidation. Order from 5 different US retailers, we consolidate into one outbound shipment, you save 30-50% on shipping vs. separate packages.
- You want a care package. Tell us a budget and a profile (gift recipient's age, taste, occasion); we shop and assemble.
The questions everyone asks
How long does shipping to Manila take?
Via DHL Express / FedEx International Priority: 5-7 business days for most orders. Add 1-2 days for in-house processing (we shop or receive your inbound package, photograph contents, then ship). USPS Priority Mail International economy options are slower (8-14 days) but cheaper.
What's the customs duty threshold for Philippines?
PHP 10,000 (~$180 USD) Above the threshold, expect import duty + VAT/local sales tax per destination rules. We declare honest values and use gift markings where applicable; under-declaring is illegal and risks confiscation.
Which US stores ship to Manila via Selectido?
All of them. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Apple, Sephora, Costco, Trader Joe's (via live shopping since TJ's doesn't ship), Whole Foods, Macy's, Nordstrom, Lululemon, Nike, REI, Patagonia, and 200+ more. We've shipped from every major US retailer.
Can Selectido buy items in-store for me in the US and ship to Manila?
Yes — that's our live shopping service. $75/hr with 15% off 2+ hour bookings. Particularly useful when the US site won't ship to forwarder addresses (Apple, Sephora, Best Buy) or when your card gets declined at US checkout. We shop on FaceTime; you see what's in the cart in real time.
What's the cheapest way to ship a package to Manila?
For low-value items: USPS Priority Mail International (slower, 8-14 days, cheap). For higher-value or time-sensitive: DHL Express / FedEx International Priority (fast, full tracking, customs cleared smoothly). Consolidating multiple orders into one outbound shipment typically saves 30-50% per item.
How does Selectido handle customs paperwork for Philippines?
Honest declared values on the commercial invoice. Harmonized tariff codes per item category. Gift markings when applicable (lowers duty for personal gifts in some countries). We provide tracking with customs status updates. If a package is held by destination customs, we coordinate with you to provide additional documentation.
What if my Manila package gets held by Philippine customs?
Most personal shipments under PHP 10,000 clear in 2-4 days. If held, the carrier (DHL/FedEx) coordinates with recipient for additional documentation — typically PH ID, TIN, or invoice clarification. Resolution time 3-7 business days. For pharmaceuticals or restricted items, FDA-PH approval may be needed; we flag these before shipping.
Can I pay Selectido in Philippine pesos (PHP)?
Yes — Stripe handles automatic currency conversion at interbank rates (no FX markup from Selectido). We also accept Wise, Revolut, and many local payment methods including local bank transfer. Pay in your currency or USD, your choice.
📦 Quick reference: Personal-import threshold PHP 10,000 (~$180 USD). Primary carrier: DHL Express / FedEx International Priority. We optimize shipment splitting where it makes economic sense (smaller shipments under threshold vs. one big shipment with duty).