December 18, 2023

PHLPost: A Guide to the Postal System in the Philippines

Updated as of December 14, 2023

With a rich history spanning over 250 years, the Philippine postal system, now widely known as PHLPost, remains to be the go-to delivery service provider for many in the Philippines. Even in our digital age, PHLPost continues to be the preferred option for Filipinos, particularly those residing in rural areas, seeking reliable and accessible means to send and receive mail, packages, and important documents.

Here are all the things you should know about sending and receiving mail through PHLPost!

SCREENSHOT from PHLPost’s Website

Postal Products and Services

PHLPost services can be categorized into two types: documents and goods or merchandise. Documents include letters, postcards, and other paperwork that are less than two (2) kilograms. Goods or merchandise, on the other hand, are often perishable items like food, handmade goods, and even clothing, books, and other documents that weigh over two (2) kilograms.

Both documents and goods or merchandise are often sent through postal offices stationed across the country and are delivered by PHLPost either locally or internationally.

Postcards / IMAGE from Pexels

Domestic Delivery

When sending time-sensitive and confidential documents, it is crucial to choose the appropriate PHLPost service that aligns with your specific mailing requirements. Documents that are sent and delivered within the Philippines can be further categorized depending on your needs:

Document Delivery Services
Ordinary	Those sending postcards or letters that are not time-sensitive can opt for the “Ordinary” mailing service, which is also the cheapest among the domestic delivery services. It is important to note, however, that you and your recipient cannot track your sent documents when you avail of this service.
Tracked	If you want to know when your friend, family, or business partner has received the document, you may choose the “Tracked” option for your mail. This will allow you to check the delivery status of your mail on PHLPost’s Postal Track and Trace. Simply enter your tracking number on the screen to see the status of your delivery.
Registered	For confidential or sensitive documents, the “Registered” service is tailored to your needs. This option includes tracking, proof of delivery, and is recognized as the “only delivery service required in legal proceeding”.
Express	If you and your recipient are in a hurry to send or receive your documents, you can avail of PHLPost’s “Express” delivery service, available in selected areas only.

For letters or first class mails, they are further classified into ordinary (charged with basic postage and delivered through regular channels), priority (next-day delivery in Metro Manila), or registered (with mail security and proof of delivery).

IMAGE from Pexels

Now, if you want to have goods or merchandise delivered anywhere in the Philippines, you may choose from either of these three (3) delivery services:

Goods or Merchandise Delivery Services
e-Packet	For those delving into “online selling”, the e-Packet is your best option. It is said to be PHLPost’s “most affordable means of sending e-commerce goods and merchandise” to your customers in the Philippines.
Express Post	When dealing with perishable goods, items are usually time-sensitive, making “Express Post” a reliable choice for many. Just like PHLPost’s “Express” delivery for documents, this service is available in selected areas only.
Parcel Post	If you want to track your delivered goods, try their “Parcel Post” delivery service, a reliable option for those who want to send goods in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Available nationwide, you may opt for the fastest (Air Parcel), the cheapest (Surface Parcel), or the safest (Insured Parcel).

International Delivery

If you are planning to send documents and goods or merchandise from the Philippines to be delivered abroad, you may be familiar with International Express Mail Service or IEMS.

Recognized as the fastest option for sending time-sensitive items overseas, IEMS accommodates various items, including documents and merchandise, as long as they are sent to international countries with which the Philippines has bilateral agreements with. Presently, the Philippines has established bilateral agreements with 45 countries, facilitating the reciprocal exchange of IEMS items.

However, according to PHLPost, Surface Parcel Posts may be sent to countries without bilateral agreements with the Philippines but only through the intermediary of the United States of America.

IMAGE from Pexels

Other Services

Aside from their domestic and delivery services, PHLPost also offers business solutions for companies to send announcements, catalogues, and even product samples to their targeted customers through Direct Mail for corporate advertising. Other services are as follows:

1. Cash-on-Delivery (COD) Service – Often for online sellers of books, magazines, and other printed materials; payment will be settled by the addressee upon the delivery of the items

2. Fax Mail Service – Electronic mail service, available in major post offices nationwide

3. Business Reply Envelopes/ Business Reply Cards

Postal Rates

Postal rates will depend on many factors including your type of delivery service, delivery address, and even the item’s weight. You may view the complete and updated list of postal rates, including domestic and international services, through this link: phlpost.gov.ph/postal-rates.

Tracking and Claiming

In 2018, PHLPost launched their Track and Trace system, available on their website, that lets you track your item/s real-time. This can be accessed at tracking.phlpost.gov.ph. You can also check in the tracking system whether your mail or parcel from overseas has arrived at your designated local post office.

SCREENSHOT from PHLPost’s Website

PHLPost offices are usually located in the vicinity of the municipal or city hall of your area, but they can also be found at NAIA Terminals 1 & 2, as well as inside lifestyle malls spread across the Philippines. In Metro Manila, the Central Post Office is originally located at Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila, but you may also find post offices in the following locations:

Makati and Taguig Post Offices Operating Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Makati City Hall	J. P. Rizal Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Makati Central Post Office	Ayala corner Buendia, Makati City
FTI (Food Terminal Incorporated)	FTI Complex, South Super Highway, Taguig City
SM Aura	26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, BGC, Taguig City
Market! Market!	Market Market Place, McKinley Parkway, BGC, Taguig City
Taguig City Hall	General Luna Street, Taguig City
Taguig Central Post Office	Lower Bicutan, Taguig City

Pro Tip: If you are staying at a hotel in the Philippines, you may also ask them if they are offering postal services to cater to your needs. Some major hotels in Manila, like New World Makati, offers postal services as part of their business services, so it might be worth checking, especially if you are in a business trip or meeting.

To send your document or items via PHLPost services, you would have to fill out a Postal Declaration Form in their office. Make sure to know the complete address of your recipient, including their zip code to ensure that the packages will arrive in the correct location. For a list of zip or postal codes, you may also check the PHLPost website for their Zip Code Locator.

Senders will also have to present at least one (1) valid ID. In some areas in the country, PHLPost requires two (2) valid IDs, so it is always the safest option to bring what you have.

For those who will be claiming the parcels, you will receive a notice from the PHLPost, indicating that your item is ready for pick-up. The notice is often sent to the address indicated by the sender upon bringing the items to the post office. Be sure to bring the PHLPost notice, your valid ID/s, and proof of the tracking status from the PHLPost website to claim your items.

However, one pro tip, aside from using the Postal Track and Trace, is to also communicate with the sender of the parcel and taking note of the delivery lead time on the PHLPost website, before going to the post office directly to check. In most cases, this can be more of a productive option for people who may not have received their PHLPost notice in their home or office address.

Addressees or those who will claim their parcels will also have to settle a handling fee of Php 112, so it would be great to bring some extra cash when claiming your items. In addition, please note that the Bureau of Customs applies taxes to items exceeding Php 10,000, so it is important to be aware of potential customs duties and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

Ready to send your postcards to your friends, gifts to your loved ones, and even documents to your business partners? Try PHLPost services to ensure secure and prompt delivery for all your mailing needs.

Source: PHLPost, Integrated Corporate Reporting System