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Traveloka PH

14 Apr 2022 - 5 min read

Travel Tax in the Philippines: Everything a Traveler Needs to Know

Paying the travel tax is one of the steps a traveler must do before flying out for an international trip. Here's a guide on what you need to know about this tax.

What is Travel Tax?

The Philippine travel tax is an additional fee you need to pay every time you go abroad.

You can read up on it in greater detail under Presidential Decree 1183, but all you need to know about it is that you are required to pay this fee no matter which country you are headed to.

Who is required to pay the travel tax?

If you fall under any of the following demographic, you are required to pay the travel tax:

Filipino citizens
Taxable foreign passport holders
Non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the Philippines for more than a year

Who is exempted from paying the travel tax?

Filipino citizens who are permanent residents abroad
Balikbayan visitors who have stayed in the Philippines for less than a year
Overseas Filipino contract workers

Manila to Singapore flight

Cebu Pacific

Start from ₱ 2,930.24

Manila (MNL) to Singapore (SIN)

Tue, 9 Apr 2024

Jetstar Asia Airways

Start from ₱ 3,161.66

Manila (MNL) to Singapore (SIN)

Sat, 13 Apr 2024

AirAsia Berhad (Malaysia)

Start from ₱ 4,040.93

Manila (MNL) to Singapore (SIN)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024

There are also other individuals who are exempted from paying the travel tax:

Foreign diplomatic representatives in the Philippines
United Nations employees
US military personnel
Members of an international carrier crew
Philippine foreign service personnel
Philippine government employees who are traveling on official business
Students on scholarships
Personnel of multinational companies

I fall under the travel tax exemption. What do I need to avail of it?

Depending on your case, you will need:

1. Original documents required by your embassy or agency, which can include but are not limited to:

Proof of permanent residency
A copy of your original passport
Certification of work
Overseas employment certificate
A marriage certificate

2. Travel to the nearest TIEZA Travel Tax Field Office in the Philippines, either in the airports or in the provincial field offices.

Show your original documents, as well as photocopies.

3. Pay a PHP 200 processing fee.

Wait for your Travel Tax Exemption Certificate to be released, and present this to the authorities at the airport.

How much do I have to pay?

Depending on your ticket, your travel tax will vary. See the table below:

TRAVEL TAX RATES

FIRST CLASS

ECONOMY/BUSINESS CLASS

Full Travel Tax

P2,700

P1,620

Standard Reduced Travel Tax

P1,350

P810

Privileged Reduced Travel Tax for a Dependent of an OFW

P400

P300

Where do I pay the Philippine travel tax?

You can pay your travel tax in advance in several malls. Check out these mall counters that accept travel tax payments:

SM City Manila Travel Tax Service Counter Government Service Center 5th Floor, SM City Manila 10 AM to 6 PM
SM City North EDSA Travel Tax Service Counter Government Service Center Lower Ground Floor, The Annex, SM City North EDSA, Quezon City 10 AM to 6 PM
SM Mall of Asia Travel Tax Service Counter Government Service Express Level 2, North Parking Building East Side, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 10 AM to 6 PM
Robinsons Galleria Travel Tax Service Counter Lingkod Pinoy Center Ground Floor, Robinsons Galleria EDSA corner Ortigas Ave., Mandaluyong City 10 AM to 6 PM

You can also pay your travel tax on the day of your flight in the airport counters. You need to show your ticket and passport.

NAIA Terminal 1 Departure Lobby Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 Pasay City 24/7
NAIA Terminal 2 Departure Lobby Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 Pasay City 24/7
NAIA Terminal 3 Departure Lobby Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 Pasay City 24/7
Laoag International Airport Departure Lobby Laoag International Airport Laoag City, Ilocos Norte 8 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Friday) 10:40 AM to 8:40 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Clark International Airport Departure Lobby Clark International Airport Clarkfield, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 24/7
Puerto Princesa International Airport Departure Area Puerto Princesa International Airport Rizal Avenue, Barangay San Miguel Puerto Princesa, Palawan City 6 AM to 7 PM
Legazpi Airport Departure Area Legazpi Airport Legazpi City, Albay 5 AM to 7 PM
New Bacolod – Silay Airport Departure Area New Bacolod-Silay Airport Baranga Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental 5 AM to 7 PM
Tacloban Airport Departure Area Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport San Jose, Tacloban City, Leyte 4:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Monday to Friday) 7 AM to 3 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Iloilo International Airport Departure Area II A Iloilo International Airport Cabatuan, Iloilo 7 AM to 11 PM
Mactan – Cebu International Airport Terminal 1 Domestic Departure Area Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 1 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 24/7
Mactan – Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 International Departure Area Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu 24/7
Bohol-Panglao International Airport Departure Area Bohol-Panglao International Airport Tawala, Panglao, Bohol 5 AM to 5 PM
Kalibo International Airport Departure Area Kalibo International Airport Kalibo, Aklan 8 AM to 6 PM
Davao International Airport Departure Area Davao International Airport Barangay Sasa, Buhangin, Davao City 3 AM to 7 PM
Zamboanga International Airport Departure Area Zamboanga International Airport Moret Field, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City 4 AM – 8 PM

Meanwhile, there are also provincial offices and other government offices where you can pay the travel tax:

Baguio City Travel Tax Office Department of Tourism Building Governor Pack Road, Baguio City 8 AM to 5 PM
San Fernando, La Union Travel Tax Office 2nd Floor, Lupac Building, Quezon Avenue San Fernando City, La Union 8 AM to 5 PM
Mandaue City Travel Tax Office Cebu Travel Tax Field Office Andres Soriano Ave., cor. PJ Burgos St. Centro, Mandaue City 8 AM to 5 PM
Iloilo City Travel Tax Office Casa Real Building, Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol Iloilo City 8 AM to 5 PM
Davao City Travel Tax Office Door 12, Tourism Complex, Ramon Magsaysay Park Davao City 8 AM to 5 PM

You can also pay online. Here's how:

1.
Visit the website of the TIEZA Online Travel Tax Payment System.
2.
Create an account if it’s your first time using the online portal. If not, log in.
3.
Select your type of travel—either First Class or Business/Economy Class.
4.
Enter your ticket number or booking reference number, mobile number, departure date, and country of destination.
5.
A reference number will be sent to your email or mobile number. The reference number expires 24 hours after it is generated.
6.
Using the reference number, pay via your credit card, debit card, the Bayad Center Mobile App, or Bayad Center Branches nationwide.
7.
An email containing an acknowledgment receipt will be sent to you confirming you have successfully paid the travel tax.
8.
Print two copies of the acknowledgment receipt and present these when checking-in at the airport.

Where does that money go?

As per Section 73 of the Republic Act No. 9593, the money earned from the travel tax is divided accordingly:

50% to TIEZA (or the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority)
40% to the Commission on Higher Education’s tourism-related educational programs and courses
10% to the National Commission for Culture and Arts

How do I get a refund?

You qualify for a refund if you fall under one of the following conditions:

You have an unused ticket
You are exempted but you already paid
Your ticket was downgraded from first-class to economy-class
You paid twice
You were offloaded from your flight
Your flight was canceled

What do you need to present to get a refund?

Depending on your case, prepare the following:

Original passport, plus photocopies
A filled-out TIEZA Refund Application Form 353
Airline ticket showing travel tax collection
Any supporting documents that prove your claim, especially if you fall under the previous travel tax exemptions
The official receipt of your travel tax if you paid directly to TIEZA
Proof that your ticket was not subject to tax
Certification from an airline-authorized signatory

Now you know your travel tax basics. Make sure you keep them in mind when you plan and book your trips with Traveloka!

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