Quote:
Originally Posted by j4fun
While I've not experienced PI bureaucratic & corruptible gov, custom officials 1st hand (never been there), however, only been on board less than a month, I've heard and aware of many shakedowns, arbitrary custom rules and even outright bribes in order to pass their immigration. When a university prof found out I was going to PI, he warned me about their corruptness - he knows many of his students who have visited PI have been fleeced $30 - $100+ USD in order to safely pass their customs. In addition to the 'departure tax', they will find ways to extort you on obscure rules that nobody really pays attention to. In one instance, the custom flatly won't let his student pass without a $50 USD 'fix-it' fee. Of course there was nothing wrong with his papers as it was prepared by a professional travel agency who has done this thousands of times.
So I know not to change more than P10,000 going into PI and declare it. But as for USD, do you need to declare it if you are carrying $2000 USD in your wallets? Or does it only apply to $10,000 USD or more?
I know that I will be hiding most of my cash in money belts and carrying minimum PHP, just enough to get me to my hotel. I also will be carrying my ATM cards - being ripped off $5+ USD at the ATM is better than being extorted at the customs.
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Most of the corruption you mentioned, like the 'terminal fee' is sort of govt endorsed corruption, which, Filipinos just take it as the norm, as is the mandatory POEA registration which must be done by an agency (and in the process loose 3 to 6 months Salary) and if you don't go through agency, it takes 3 months to complete the POEA paperwork, vs 1 week through agency .. and more and more
Oh, the thing is Filipinos defend the corruption, or fiercely come to the aid of such corrupt officials, saying 'they are under paid' .. and all, including those Police involved in kidnapping ..
So .. don't try to preach righteousness to Filipinos - you will be branded as a trouble maker ..
An example ? The congressman who was convicted of drug possession and was jailed in HK, when he returned, was given a rousing welcome .. like a hero .. oh, just that his brother is a mayor, and the rest of the whole family is in politics and their are 'respected' and the drug convicted person was 'forgiven' as he explained himself: that his GF stressed him out .. and he had to take drugs .. and then the rest of the world wonder why PH is doomed forever .. and even the ongoing SC Justice show ... the senate has decided to get rid of him, and the public opinion has swung so much that people who don't even know the SC Justice are accusing him of everything bad .. and heck, his trial is already over - trial by Media publicity ....
For the amount, don't risk it .. or do like what I do .. I stuff my s$ in seperate areas in my hand bag .. I don't want to be drawing money as I arrive.
I also use card as much as possible, and avoid any argument with the customs.
it is 10,000 peso, for US$ they have a different limit, but ... a shrewd customs fellow can say 10,000 peso or it's equivalent .. no contest there ..
Oh, try not to use money belts .. the customs fellows and even street kids and snatch thieves know about money belt, hence the reason for one too many ang moh walking without belt (the belt being sliced off in a robbery (just kidding .. haha ) . and it is a known place to check for 'smugglers' ..
to be safe, get a tailor to stitch 'inside' pocket, so you can stuff some currency ..
PS: I upped you bro .. have fun ..