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Confused about customs declaration form.

Discussion in 'Travel Tips and Advice' started by Bradley smallwood, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    Hi. I'm travelling to the Philippines 27th January to meet my girlfriend for the first time in person and I don't fully understand customs declaration. (Never been on plane before)

    I bought my girlfriend a promise ring. It was on sale. It cost £60. It was £119. Do I have to declare this ring do I say it's original price or how much I bought it for? I will bring the receipt also.

    I'm taking a bear for Valentine's day, it cost £50.

    I will also take £1300 in British cash. Do I have to declare that?

    Assuming my ring is taxed would I have to pay the people in peso and how much would the tax likely be?

    Do they hand out these declaration forms on the flight? I've seen posts saying yes and some saying not anymore so I'm confused about that.

    Thankyou in advance
  2. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    dunno what happened to my reply--just to say i havent a clue! but wish you a very enjoyable holiday.
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2018
  3. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Can't advise on customs but do not take that much cash you will encounter issues.
    As a Brit in the Philippines I carry no more than a fiver in cash the rest we share our between my wife and 2 daughters.
    As you have not met this girl yet you should not entrust it to her or her family and friends.
    Never be flash is my tip.
    Others may agree or disagree.
  4. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    Hi thannkyou. The cash is to cover the expense of the hotels and resort which is £1100. The rest is for travel and food and anything else that we need.. I will keep it well out of sight and carry very little on me. My sister went to India last year and she had issues with her card so I'm just being careful incase I have issues with mine too.
  5. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Enjoy where in the Philippines are you going?
  6. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    Thankyou :) we are staying in a hotel in manilla for 2 weeks and a beach resort in zambales for 5 days
  7. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Sent you a pm
  8. Stupot10
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    Stupot10 Active Member

    I wouldn’t consider taking anything like that amount of money. You May as well paint a target on your back.
    If you worried set up world remit or similar and when you need money do a money transfer to your girl so that she can collect it locally that way there is much less problems for you and your safety.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. Stupot10
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    Stupot10 Active Member

    As for taking the ring and teddy. No need to declare them. Their value isn’t enough to worry the authorities but taking £1400 in cash they will ask questions if they find that out
  10. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    And indeed take an interest! And the slightest whiff of the traveller being unsure well......
  11. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    World remit. I will have a look at that later and talk to her about it when she's awake.

    Ah Ok. That's good to know. I don't suppose I can just show them the price of the hotels? Thankyou for your response.
  12. Stupot10
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    Stupot10 Active Member

    Why haven’t you paid the booking online?
    That would be the easiest way to have paid your booking.
  13. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Can you not pay for the hotels through your bank account?
    We use world remit and western union there are other options.
    I am sure you know but £1300 equals about 83000 pesos
  14. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    We go on the 19th of this month I will have a tenner in my pocket.
  15. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    I booked the hotels online using booking.com. the resort says it only accepts cash. That's £300 something. As for the others. I've never been to a hotel before. As it's already booked and the deposit is set. That means they will they can just take the payment out if I take my card. It just because my sister's got rejected in India and so she had no money which is why I'm concerned about it. I will have to look at transferring money to her if it's gonna be such an issue for them
  16. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    there is only one place you could keep that amount on your person---and even that wouldnt be safe.
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    • Funny Funny x 1
  17. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Also consider cash is hard to budget you might get carried away and run out.
    Having to withdraw the cash gives you the chance to control your spends.
    Don' get caught out.
    Who' going with you to the hotel and Resort?
  18. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    Yeah that is true. My girlfriend is going to the first hotel with me. My girlfriend, her friend, and her friends boyfriend are going to the resort with me. And then my girlfriend and I are going to the final hotel together.
  19. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Are you paying for everything?
  20. Bradley smallwood
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    Bradley smallwood Member

    Yeah I'm paying for hotels and resort. Her friends boyfriend will give us rides when we need

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