The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is reducing the initial registration fees to all micro-enterprises for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark which aims to strengthen consumer protection and promote fair online trade.
Under the scheme, micro-businesses with assets of up to P3 million will only pay a P100 web administration fee and a P30 documentary stamp for a total of P130.
Small enterprises with assets of more than P3 million up to P15 million will receive a 50-percent discount on registration, paying P630, while medium enterprises with assets exceeding P15 million will pay the full P1,130 fee.
The Trustmark, mandated under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12, serves as a single digital permit certifying that online merchants, e-retailers and platforms comply with trade regulations. The DTI describes it as “a seal of assurance for consumers and a promise of accountability.”
DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the initiative aims to protect both buyers and legitimate sellers, as the country’s fast-growing e-commerce sector faces challenges such as fraud, counterfeit goods, and unfair trade practices.
“With 7,600 islands and 115 million Filipinos, most of them young and digitally engaged, the e-commerce platform has become a lifeline for trade,” Roque said.
“It allows entrepreneurs to move products faster and level up their businesses,” she said.
More than 8,000 enterprises, including TikTok, Shop, Shopee and Lazada, have already applied for the Trustmark ahead of the September 30, 2025 deadline. The DTI, however, has extended the registration period until Dec. 31, 2025, to accommodate more businesses. Othel V. Campos
Roque said the measure is not meant to burden entrepreneurs but to strengthen trust in the digital marketplace.
“Our goal is to protect businesses that play fair and ensure consumers can trust the e-commerce system,” she said.
