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

Headed out of the country? Before you check-in, you have to make sure you paid your travel tax first. If you’re wondering why or if you even have to, here’s everything you need to know about the travel tax in the Philippines.

• What is the travel tax?
• Who is required to pay travel tax?
• Who is exempted for paying travel tax?
• How much to pay travel tax?
• Where to pay Philippine travel tax?
• How to refund travel tax?

 

What is the 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

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:

 

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:

 

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.

Read You Can Now Pay Travel Tax Online: Here’s How

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!