While most of the airport regulations and fees people would typically encounter in their various travels are similar to one another, it is still very important to understand the more specific details about one’s destination airport.
When traveling from the Philippines, there are certain fees that are not usually required in airports outside the country. Knowing about them ahead of time should make a person’s travel more convenient, as well as lessen the risk of hassle brought about by such unexpected fees. Take note that Philippine airports require you to pay in cash for these fees, either in Philippine Peso or U.S. Dollar.
Travel Tax
The Philippine travel tax is a levy imposed by the Philippine government and it is collected from a departing passenger at a Philippine airport. Both Filipinos and non-Filipinos may be required to pay for it. As a general rule, a Philippine passport holder and foreigners holding a permanent resident visa Sec. 13 Quota or Preference Immigrant Visa are expected to pay this type of tax. Even a Filipino citizen who is a permanent resident of another country should pay a minimal amount related to this tax requirement. Any foreigner who stayed in the Philippines for more than a year also needs to pay this tax.
The amount one should pay for primarily depends on the type of airline ticket held. When traveling with a first class seat, the amount to pay for is higher than another person traveling with an economy seat.
Terminal Fee
The terminal fee is a type of service charge paid by any departing passenger in any Philippine airport. This is not a typical fee paid by travelers in other countries.
The amount to be paid for an international trip is slightly higher than the amount required for a domestic trip. The amount also varies from one airport to another. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main travel hub located in the capital Manila, imposes the most expensive terminal fees for airline passengers.
Only a child two years old or below (without airline ticket), an overseas contract worker, specific officers and employees on official travel and a passenger denied entry to his/her gate are not required to pay a terminal fee. Anyone who refuses or fails to pay the required amount shall not be allowed to board the aircraft.
Duties and Taxes and Overbaggage Fees
Duties and taxes required for items brought by international passengers are financial obligations typically expected in any out-of-the-country travel. More than just being aware that duties and taxes may be imposed on currencies and items brought during one’s travel, it is always ideal to know the actual Philippine rules on the matter, so one doesn’t have to worry about getting short on money due to duties and taxes to pay for.
The traveler should know the baggage allowance offered by the airline company, as well as other possible airline-related surcharges, which vary from one airline to the next, to ensure that one doesn’t suddenly need to pay hefty charges. As a general guide, an international flight to and from the Philippines usually provides a traveler holding an economy ticket with a free allowance of two checked-in bags weighing no more than 50 lbs. each. However, availing of a promo or discounted fare may lower the ticket holder’s baggage allowance. In many instances, the person only finds out about this by the time of the flight, which causes serious financial trouble and/or flight delay.