International: Philippines

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

DTI Accreditation Required to Provide International Freight Forwarding Directly

Yes

Yes, where the mover arranges the international leg itself. A company that books ship or aircraft space, negotiates freight rates, prepares shipping documents, and manages international cargo movement on a customer’s behalf needs accreditation as an International Freight Forwarder (IFF) from DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau. This is the credential a mover needs if it intends to itself arrange the ocean or air leg of an international relocation, rather than routing the shipment through a separately accredited company.

NVOCC Accreditation for Movers Acting as Carrier

Yes, where applicable. Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) accreditation is a distinct, higher tier, for a company that publishes its own freight tariff, issues its own bills of lading, and assumes full common-carrier responsibility without operating its own vessels.

A Separate Domestic-Only Category Exists

Yes. Domestic Freight Forwarder (DFF) accreditation covers cargo transport and distribution within the Philippines only, distinct from the international categories.

A Multi-Agency Committee Oversees This Accreditation System

Yes. A Registration and Monitoring Committee, drawing representatives from MARINA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Civil Aeronautics Board (alongside DTI-recognized industry and shipper associations), oversees the accreditation and monitoring of freight forwarders, NVOCCs, cargo consolidators, and breakbulk agents.

Operating Without Accreditation Carries Enforcement Risk

Yes. Transacting business with an NVOCC or ocean freight forwarder not duly accredited carries a fine under the governing rules; the current fine amount was not confirmed, as the original penalty figure was set long ago.

OverviewOverview & Scope

A Philippine mover intending to itself arrange the international sea or air leg of a relocation, rather than routing the international portion through a separately accredited company, needs DTI accreditation as an International Freight Forwarder or, where it publishes its own tariff and issues its own bills of lading, NVOCC accreditation. Where the mover routes the international leg through an accredited forwarder or NVOCC, or subcontracts the transport, that company’s own accreditation and licences cover the service it performs, and the mover should use companies that hold them. A separate, domestic-only accreditation category exists for freight forwarding confined to within the Philippines. This accreditation system is overseen by a multi-agency committee drawing on MARINA, the Bureau of Customs, and the Civil Aeronautics Board, reflecting its cross-modal (sea and air) scope.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers that arrange the international sea or air leg themselves must:

1. Hold International Freight Forwarder accreditation from DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, keeping it current.
2. Hold NVOCC accreditation where the mover publishes its own freight tariff, issues its own bills of lading and assumes common-carrier responsibility.

Movers that route the international leg through others must:

3. Use carriers and forwarders that hold the licences and accreditation required for the services they perform.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• International Freight Forwarder accreditation held from DTI/FTEB (Executive Order 514)Where applicable (mover itself arranges the international sea or air leg)Verified by DocumentRequired
• NVOCC accreditation held from DTI/FTEBWhere applicable (mover publishes its own tariff, issues its own bills of lading and assumes common-carrier responsibility)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired