When we decided to move to the Philippines there became the issue of transportation. After spending a while back there last year it was decided that we will need our own auto. We like to travel around Luzon and the general area where our house is too much to depend on public transportation or family members. Of course, being a man this made me happy because I would get to do one of my favorite things, shop for a car.

I have been researching prices and trying to decide whether to buy new or used and what model or type of vehicle I would want. My research is limited because I am currently in the US and I am using the Internet for my information. What I have found so far is that similar to my tastes on US cars I would prefer to buy a used car with a few years and a few miles on it over a new car. In the type of vehicle I want, which would be something that would carry five or more passengers comfortably a used vehicle would cost me in the 500-700k Php range as a new one would cost well over 1 million pesos. I prefer used because most of the kinks have been worked out.

The reason I’m talking about buying a vehicle in the Philippines and the title of the post is Importing a Car to the Philippines is because I’m getting my ammunition for my case against my wife. You see she has a beautiful fire engine red 2001 Pontiac Grand Am which has not given us any major problems so far. In fact, for a 2001 model figuring average 15-20,000 miles average per year you would think it should have mega mileage but actually it has around 50K on it and she takes very good care of it. She wants to take it to the Philippines thus my research on whether to import this car or buy one there.

You heard what I’m looking for and how much it would cost now comes the part on how much it would cost to import the car. First off, from my research I think it can’t be done. On the site Movers.com I’ve found that cars over 5 years old are restricted from importing into the Philippines. I rest my case! But looking into some other restrictions I can how it would be almost impossible even if the care was newer. Besides the owner having to be in the Philippines for delivery the restriction on gasoline fueled cars is 2,800cc not over 1,500 kg. This heavy 6 cylinder US gas guzzler far exceeds the limits on vehicles that are legal for import.

You have to understand that making it easy for people to import cars into the Philippines would cut down on those who would buy a car in the Philippines. My main concern though would be availability of parts, including tires to repair this car although there are repair shops for the major models in the Manila area but the parts must be shipped from the US. This is where balikbayan boxes could be utilized but then you would have to have a contact in the US for that.

If you are considering importing a car to the Philipppines I suggest that you look at the duties and taxes for doing such. From what I find the duties can be as high as 100% of value for the vehicle plus various taxes, bribes, and such. The good news on this front is the restrictions and fees are much less for the Hybrid and alternative fuel type cars although I’m sure the parts and fuel availabillty issues rise again.

In the end I am going to present this to my wife and steer her to sites such as Auto Trade Center Philippines and Buy and Sell Philippines. I’m sure she will enjoy shopping for our next vehicle in the Philippines and the Red Grand Am will stay in the US.