High Clearance Fees In The Philippines

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-03-06 10:48:21
Countries: Philippines

We have just cleared through Cebu in the Philippines, and here are a few comments that might help other cruisers.

Clearance fees: Quarantine: php 3000, Customs: free, Immigration: php 1500 + php 500 per head IN and OUT. This means that you pay twice. Don't bother trying to haggle with the officials to reduce the fee. You may not get a proper receipt either. office hours are 9 -12 1300 to 1700 though they will see you during lunch if the officials are around.

Taxis are reasonable starting at php 30. Jeepneys are from php 6 to php 11 depending on length of journey.

Cebu Yacht club is the best place to moor if you want to visit Cebu and the surrounding area. Fees are php 2000 for first 10 days, php 3000 for next 7 days then php 3000 per day after that. Fuel is available at php 34 per liter. Water and power available on the dock. Harbour water reasonably clean. People are friendly & helpful. Most things can be found locally though major chandlery items will have to be ordered in - 2 days to a week. Broadwater marine is a catalogue agent for BLA.

Our conclusion: if you like big cities ok, but otherwise we would recommend NOT stopping in the Philippines until they sort out their immigration service.

Mike & Dawn Dorsett, White Princess

Leaving Cebu