Prohibited Importations

Prohibited importations are imported goods that cannot be brought in the country under existing laws and regulations except otherwise permitted under strict conditions and regulations from corresponding government agency.

There are two kinds of prohibited importations:

1. Absolutely prohibited - these are goods the importation of which is not allowed under existing laws.
2. Conditionally prohibited - these are goods that cannot be brought into the country except when authorized by law and permitted by corresponding government agencies under strict guidelines and regulations.

The list of prohibited import articles is written in the Sec. 101 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), as amended.

Other provisions prohibiting importation of certain goods:
Republic Act No. 4653 - used clothing, rags
Letter of Instructions no. 1264 - toy guns
Republic Act No. 8293 - articles that violates the intellectual property rights (pirated cd, dvd, imitation products)
Endangered species classified under CITES Appendix I