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| Most Filipinos who depart the Philippines are required to pay travel tax |
Filipinos and permanent resident aliens who are required under the law to pay travel tax each time they fly out of the Philippines may now pay online through the one-stop shop eGovPH app.
The integration of the travel tax payment into the
eTravel system was formally launched at a recent ceremony led by the Tourism
Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
To
pay their travel tax anytime, anywhere, outbound travels may go directly to the
eGov PH app, and select “TIEZA Travel Tax” under the “National Government
Agencies (NGAs)” section.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Users
are directed to a simplified payment page that accepts various
methods—including credit cards and e-wallets. Once payment is completed, a
digital acknowledgment receipt is automatically sent via email, streamlining
verification at the airport and immigration counters.
To make the process even more convenient, the travel tax payment form is pre-filled using the traveler’s passenger information previously submitted on eTravel. Users simply input their current flight details, to get to the payment page.
As part of the eTravel declaration, travelers can
indicate whether they have paid the travel tax or applied for an exemption.
Upon validation, they receive a QR code for immigration clearance, which helps
reduce airport queues and wait times.
In a statement, the Department of Tourism said that
the centralized, secure and user-friendly digital platform administered by the
government simplifies the payment process for Filipinos and foreign nationals departing
the country, as they can skip queuing up at airport counters prior to
departure.
Meanwhile, travelers who are by law exempted from
paying the travel tax, are also encouraged to apply for the exemption certificate
online to eliminate a potentially long wait at the airport. (This does not, however, include overseas Filipino workers who simply have to present their overseas employment certificate (OEC) upon check-in).
All that the travel-exempt passengers have to do is to register their personal details
at the Tieza website: https://onlinettax.tieza.gov.ph/tec,
then wait for the Travel Tax Exemption Certificate (TTEC) that will
be sent to them via their registered email address.
As with the eTravel pass, passengers are advised to download the TTEX that is sent via email and keep a copy on their mobile phones or gadgets for easy verification upon check-in. They will no longer be asked for the printed TTEX certificate which usually takes time to secure at the airport.
The TTEC is valid for six months, but is only good for one passage or departure.
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| Sample of a TTEC recently obtained online |
The eTravel System is a digital platform that consolidates immigration, health, customs, and now travel tax declarations for passengers arriving in or departing from the Philippines.
Once a passenger creates an account and provides the required personal details such as name, address, contact telephone number and a copy of their valid Philippine ID as well as passport, these will all be integrated and come out as pre-filled when registering for eTravel or paying for travel tax.
As part of the eTravel declaration, travelers may submit a copy of their paid travel tax receipt or TTEC to skip further verification at the check-in or immigration counters. Upon validation, they receive a QR code for immigration clearance, which helps reduce airport queues and wait times.
The travel tax, which ranges from Php1,620 for economy
class travelers to Php2,700 for those traveling first class, is imposed on
Filipinos, resident aliens and foreigners who have stayed in the Philippines for
more than a year.
Reduced tax is extended to certain travellers,
including dependents of overseas Filipino workers, who pay Php300 if traveling on
economy tickets, and Php400 for those in first class.
Exempted from paying the tax are OFWs, Filipino who
reside abroad, foreign diplomatic representatives, United Nations employees, US
military personnel, crews of international carriers, Philippine government
employees on official travel, and students on scholarships.
Half of the proceeds from the travel tax goes to TIEZA, 40% to the Commission on Higher Education, and 10% to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The travel tax is different from the terminal fee, which is used to fund airport improvements and security, and is collected by the Manila Airport Authority from the airlines.
