Philippines

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Certificate of Public Convenience Required

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own trucks for hire. Any company operating goods vehicles for hire needs a CPC from LTFRB under the Truck-for-Hire category, the franchise or route authority that legally permits for-hire cargo transport. A business with multiple vehicle or service types needs a separate CPC for each. Where a mover subcontracts the trucking, the carrier’s own franchise covers the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold the licences that transport requires.

Three Separate Documents Required to Operate Legally

Yes, for each for-hire vehicle. A CPC (route or franchise authority from LTFRB) is only one of three documents a for-hire vehicle needs; the vehicle also needs its own Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) from the LTO, and drivers need a Professional Driver’s License, also from the LTO. Operating without all three is termed “colorum” in the Philippines (a widely used local term for illegal, unfranchised public transport) and exposes the vehicle to impoundment and fines.

CPC Validity and Fees

5 years. The CPC is valid for 5 years from issuance, with filing fees around ₱510 for the first two units and ₱70 for each additional unit; processing typically takes 3 to 6 months from filing to release.

Provisional Authority Available While CPC Is Pending

Yes. A Provisional Authority (PA) allows a mover to legally operate for up to 3 months while a CPC application is processed, renewable once for a further 3 months in some cases.

Comprehensive Insurance: Not a Formal CPC Requirement

No. Since a September 2012 LTFRB memorandum, comprehensive insurance coverage is no longer part of the formal CPC application requirements. A valid CPC does not, by itself, confirm that a mover carries comprehensive insurance, so customers should ask what protection, if any, is offered.

Business Registration Required

Yes. Standard business formation documentation (DTI registration for sole proprietorships or SEC registration for corporations and partnerships), a BIR Certificate of Registration, and a Mayor’s Permit (local business permit) are required alongside the transport-specific franchise.

Consumer Protection

Yes. Republic Act No. 7394 (the Consumer Act of the Philippines) is the general consumer protection statute, administered by DTI, which handles complaints relating to trade, sales, services, and unfair or deceptive practices.

Consumer Complaint Resources (For Movers Not Vetted as ITMs)

Yes, accessible and free. Consumers can file complaints through DTI’s Consumer Complaints Assistance and Resolution System (CAReS), accessible online, with no filing fee. Mediation is mandatory for complaints under the Consumer Act before a formal adjudicated complaint can proceed; if mediation fails, DTI issues a Certificate to File Action allowing the consumer to pursue formal adjudication.

Industry Association

PIMA (Philippines International Movers Association) is a local organization of international movers based in the Philippines. Its membership criteria and whether it covers domestic-only movers were not confirmed in this research. Membership is not a government licence and does not replace the requirements on this page.

OverviewOverview & Scope

The Philippines licenses goods-for-hire transport nationally through LTFRB, with companies operating trucks for hire needing a Certificate of Public Convenience under the Truck-for-Hire category specifically. This CPC is only one of three documents a legally operating for-hire vehicle needs, alongside LTO vehicle registration and a driver’s Professional Driver’s License, and operating without all three carries the local designation “colorum,” with enforcement consequences including impoundment. These transport requirements attach to the company operating the trucks; where a mover subcontracts the trucking, the carrier’s own franchise, registration and driver licences cover the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold them. Since 2012, comprehensive insurance has not been a formal condition of CPC issuance, meaning a valid franchise doesn’t itself confirm insurance coverage. Standard business registration (DTI or SEC, BIR, Mayor’s Permit) applies to every mover. On the consumer side, the Consumer Act of the Philippines provides the general framework, with DTI operating a free, accessible complaint system that includes mandatory mediation before any formal adjudicated complaint can proceed.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Company licensing

1. Complete standard business registration (DTI or SEC, BIR, Mayor’s Permit).

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own trucks for hire)

2. Apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience under the Truck-for-Hire category through the relevant LTFRB regional office, and renew it before its 5-year term expires.
3. Apply for a Provisional Authority if operating while the CPC application is pending, observing its 3-month (renewable once) validity.
4. Register each vehicle for its own OR/CR through the LTO.
5. Ensure drivers hold a valid Professional Driver’s License from the LTO.

Subcontracted transport

6. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Customer practices

7. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Business registration current (DTI or SEC registration, BIR Certificate of Registration, Mayor’s Permit)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Certificate of Public Convenience (Truck-for-Hire) held from LTFRB, renewed before its 5-year expiryWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks for hire)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Provisional Authority held while the CPC application is pendingWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks for hire before the CPC is issued)Verified by DocumentRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• Each vehicle registered with the LTO (OR/CR)Where applicable (mover operates its own trucks)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Each driver holds a valid Professional Driver’s LicenseWhere applicable (mover operates its own trucks)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

Customer practices

• Consumer-facing practices comply with the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394)Verified by AffirmationRequired