The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reminded travelers that only up to $10,000 in foreign currency and P50,000 in Philippine currency may be brought into or taken out of the country without declaration or prior authorization.
Under existing regulations, travelers carrying foreign currency exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent must declare the full amount to the BOC upon arrival or departure. Declarations may be completed through the e-Travel System or at designated counters in airports and seaports, Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.
For Philippine currency, travelers may bring in or take out up to ₱50,000 per person without prior approval. Any excess requires written authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and must be declared to the BOC.
BSP authorization must be secured before departure and is granted only for specific purposes, such as numismatic collections, currency awareness activities, and the testing or calibration of money-counting machines. The rule covers banknotes, coins, checks, and other peso-denominated instruments.
Nepomuceno said the policy promotes transparency and does not prohibit the carrying of lawful cash. The BOC also urged travelers to complete customs and currency declarations through the e-Travel platform for faster processing.
