Philippine apparel sourcing guide

Import apparel from the Philippines to Bolivia

Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to Bolivia can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate multimodal freight from the Philippines toward Santa Cruz de la Sierra, La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, and other commercial centers in Bolivia. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.

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Why source apparel from the Philippines?

PHShirt combines export-ready garment production with direct access to established blank-shirt brands. Buyers can source Yalex, A2Z, Crown, Softex, and Blackhorse blanks or commission OEM/ODM runs with custom fabric, sizing, labels, printing, embroidery, and packaging.

Flexible productionBlank-stock fulfillment and custom manufacturing from one supplier.
Document coordinationCommercial invoice, packing list, and origin documents prepared to the agreed shipment.
Human export supportOne sales contact from specification review through dispatch.

Shipping route and gateways to Bolivia

Because Bolivia is landlocked, ocean container cargo from the Philippines moves across transpacific shipping routes to designated Pacific transit ports in northern Chile (Arica, Iquique) or southern Peru (Matarani, Ilo) under bilateral free-transit treaties, followed by bonded overland truck or rail into Bolivian inland customs terminals. Alternatively, international air cargo flies directly into Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz or El Alto International Airport in La Paz. Final routing depends on order volume, Incoterm, carrier schedule, and the buyer's nominated freight forwarder.

Major Seaports & Maritime Transit Gateways for Bolivia

Containerized FCL and LCL garment cargo ships out of dedicated Philippine container terminals and enters Bolivia via established Pacific ocean transit seaports and river terminals.

Davao International Container Port (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Premier modern deep-water container terminal in Panabo City, Davao Gulf. Features a 15-meter natural draft accommodating post-Panamax vessels. Operates direct scheduled weekly feeder loops to Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, and Kaohsiung connecting directly into transpacific liner routes serving South America West Coast transit gateways for Bolivia.
Region: Davao del Norte / Mindanao • Terminal: San Vicente / Anflocor • Draft: 15.0m
Port of Manila (MICT & South Harbor) PHMNL
Largest international container gateway of the Philippines, processing over 4.5 million TEUs annually. Offers high-frequency feeder sailings and transpacific line-haul links connecting Philippine garment factories to South American Pacific ports.
Region: Metro Manila / Luzon • Terminals: ICTSI MICT & ATI South Harbor
Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas maritime cargo consolidation hub linking garment manufacturing plants in Mactan and Cebu export processing zones with international feeder loops.
Region: Cebu City / Central Visayas • Terminal: OPASCOR / CPA
Batangas International Port PHBTG
Alternative deep-water container terminal in Southern Luzon serving Calabarzon export manufacturing zones with direct highway links bypassing Metro Manila traffic.
Region: Batangas / Southern Luzon • Terminal: Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI)
Subic Bay International Container Port (NCT) PHSFS
Strategic deep-water Freeport container terminal serving Central and Northern Luzon industrial estates with dedicated highway transit and rapid customs processing.
Region: Zambales / Central Luzon • Terminal: SBITC / ICTSI

Port of Arica (Terminal Puerto Arica - TPA, Chile) CLARI
The primary Pacific maritime transit gateway handling over 75% of Bolivia's international container imports under the 1904 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Features dedicated ASP-B (Administración de Servicios Portuarios - Bolivia) bonded customs facilities with direct highway (Ruta 11-CH) and rail connections to La Paz and the Bolivian Altiplano.
Gateway: Arica, Chile • Corridor: Direct bonded highway to La Paz
Port of Iquique (ITI & ZOFRI, Chile) CLIQQ
Major Pacific deep-water container terminal and free-trade zone (Zona Franca de Iquique - ZOFRI). Handles high volumes of commercial garment cargo with direct bonded transit to Oruro, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz.
Gateway: Iquique, Chile • Corridor: Bonded road transit to Oruro / Cochabamba
Port of Matarani (TISUR, Peru) PEMAR
Southern Peruvian deep-water port offering modern container handling and direct intermodal rail/road transit corridors via Puno and the Desaguadero border crossing into La Paz.
Gateway: Matarani, Peru • Corridor: Desaguadero border to La Paz
Port of Ilo (Terminal Portuario de Ilo, Peru) PEILO
Peruvian port facility with special bilateral customs transit agreements granting Bolivia duty-free cargo staging and logistics access for commercial maritime freight.
Gateway: Ilo, Moquegua / Peru • Role: Alternative Pacific trade corridor
Puerto Jennefer / Puerto Aguirre (Bolivia) BOJEN / BOAGU
Bolivia's international private river ports located on the Tamengo Canal in Puerto Quijarro (Santa Cruz department), offering direct international fluvial container barge access via the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean.
Location: Puerto Quijarro, Santa Cruz • Waterway: Hidrovía Paraguay-Paraná

Major International Airports (Air Cargo Gateways)

High-value fashion apparel, institutional uniforms, urgent corporate merchandise, and pre-production size runs fly directly between Philippine airports and Bolivian international air cargo terminals.

Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) DVO / RPMD
Primary air cargo facility for Southern Mindanao. Offers regular widebody domestic bellyhold cargo feeding into Manila (MNL) for consolidated international air waybills connecting directly to Bolivia.
Location: Davao City / Mindanao • Connections: Domestic feeder flights to MNL
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL) MNL / RPLL
National air cargo flagship in Metro Manila. Connects air freight shipments to Bolivia via international cargo hubs in Doha, Dubai, or North American/Latin American transit points (Panama, Lima, Bogota) into Santa Cruz Viru Viru (VVI) and La Paz (LPB).
Location: Metro Manila • Airlines: Emirates, Qatar, Avianca, LATAM Cargo
Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Major express freight hub hosting dedicated international integrator facilities (FedEx, UPS, DHL). Features 24/7 dedicated freighter ramp handling and rapid customs clearance for Northern Luzon.
Location: Clark Freeport Zone / Pampanga • Integrators: FedEx, DHL, UPS global hubs
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway linking garment producers to international air cargo networks through transshipment via Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG).
Location: Lapu-Lapu City / Cebu • Coverage: Central Visayas export zones

Viru Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz - VVI) VVI / SLVR
Bolivia's premier international air cargo mega-hub handling over 70% of the nation's air freight. Located in the lowland commercial capital of Santa Cruz de la Sierra with 24/7 Aduana Nacional (ANB) customs clearance and ALBO bonded warehouse facilities.
Department: Santa Cruz • Terminal: ALBO Bonded Cargo Precinct
El Alto International Airport (La Paz - LPB) LPB / SLLP
World's highest international airport at 4,061 meters altitude, serving the administrative capital of La Paz, ministerial uniform tenders, and western Altiplano commercial buyers.
Department: La Paz • Altitude: 4,061 meters (Altiplano gateway)
Jorge Wilstermann International Airport (Cochabamba - CBB) CBB / SLCB
Central Bolivia international airport serving the Cochabamba valley manufacturing cluster, agricultural trade, and regional retail uniform distribution.
Department: Cochabamba • Role: Central valley commercial cargo airport
Alcantarí International Airport (Sucre - SRE) SRE / SLAL
Constitutional capital airport facility serving Chuquisaca regional government agencies, university student apparel, and judicial institutional contracts.
Department: Chuquisaca / Sucre • Role: Constitutional capital airport
Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza Airport (Tarija - TJA) TJA / SLTJ
Southern regional airport terminal serving Tarija commercial trade networks and border economic activity with northern Argentina.
Department: Tarija • Role: Southern regional air terminal

Philippines to Bolivia Freight Planning Summary

Ocean Freight via Pacific Port Davao (DICT) or Manila (MICT) via transpacific line-haul to Port of Arica or Iquique, Chile, plus bonded truck to La Paz or Santa Cruz. Total transit: 28 to 44 days door to bonded depot.

Air Freight via Transit Hubs Manila (MNL) connecting through Doha, Dubai, or Latin American hubs (Panama, Lima, Bogota) into Santa Cruz Viru Viru (VVI). Total transit: 3 to 5 days airport to airport.

Connecting Regional Air Davao (DVO), Clark (CRK), or Cebu (CEB) connecting through Manila and onward into Viru Viru (VVI) or El Alto (LPB). Total transit: 4 to 7 days.

Door to Door Express DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS expedited international courier for pre-production size runs, fabric swatches, and urgent batch replenishment. Total transit: 4 to 7 business days.

Landed-cost & Trade Framework for Bolivia

A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.

Trade Framework: Comunidad Andina (CAN) & Mercosur Accession Partner Tariff Schedule
Duty & Customs Guide: Third-country apparel imports from the Philippines under HS Chapters 61 and 62 are subject to Bolivia's standard Gravamen Arancelario (GA, typically 10% to 20% ad valorem on CIF port value). Import Value Added Tax (IVA Importaciones) applies at an effective rate of 14.94% calculated on the CIF base plus customs duty. Electronic import declarations are lodged via the Aduana Nacional de Bolivia (ANB) SUMA (Sistema Único de Modernización Aduanera) system through a registered Despachante de Aduana. Importers must have an active Número de Identificación Tributaria (NIT) registered with the Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales (SIN).
Recommended Fabrics: Breathable 160 GSM combed cotton for the warm eastern plains of Santa Cruz, heavyweight 240 GSM fleece-lined hoodies and jackets for the cooler Altiplano climate of La Paz, moisture-wicking polyester athletic sublimation jerseys, and durable pique polo uniforms.
Destination currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Freight variables: Chargeable weight or volume ratio, transpacific maritime rates, transit port handling fees at Arica/Iquique, international bonded truck freight across the Andes, customs broker charges, and inland Bolivian depot storage.

Compliance checkpoints for Bolivia

These checkpoints are planning prompts, not a substitute for a binding tariff ruling or legal advice. Confirm the exact product scope before production labels and packaging are approved.

Mandatory Spanish textile care and fiber composition labelling complying with Bolivian IBNORCA standard NB 53001
Permanent country of origin identification stating Hecho en Filipinas (Made in the Philippines) permanently stitched on each garment
Registered Bolivian importer fiscal identification (NIT) and business name printed on commercial care labels
Submission of the Declaración Única de Importación (DUI / DIM) through the official Aduana Nacional SUMA platform prior to border clearance

HS classification starting points

Most apparel begins in Chapter 61 or 62. Fiber composition, knit versus woven construction, gender, garment type, and intended use determine the final tariff line.

HS Chapter 61: knitted or crocheted apparel (T-shirts 6109, polo shirts 6105/6106, hoodies 6110)
HS Chapter 62: woven apparel (trousers, corporate dress shirts, jackets, aprons)
Confirm the 10-digit Bolivian NANDINA customs tariff code with a licensed Despachante de Aduana

Documents commonly prepared

Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.

01Commercial invoice (Factura Comercial)Seller, buyer NIT, item descriptions in Spanish, quantities, unit values, currency (USD), Incoterm, and payment terms.
02Packing list (Lista de Empaque)Carton breakdown, individual polybag ratios, size distributions, net and gross weight, and cubic dimensions.
03Transport documentOcean Bill of Lading with in-transit to Bolivia endorsement (en tránsito a Bolivia vía Arica/Iquique) or Master Air Waybill.
04Supporting certificatesCertificate of Origin issued by DTI/BOC or Philippine Chamber of Commerce, and international transit declaration (MIC/DTA).

MOQ, timing, and payment

Production starts after specification, sample or artwork, price, payment, and delivery terms are approved in writing.

Minimum order: 50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
Production lead time: 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional
Typical payment structure: International bank transfer (T/T in USD); documentary collection or letter of credit may be agreed for qualified commercial orders

Importing from the Philippines to Bolivia: FAQ

Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.

How does sea freight reach landlocked Bolivia from the Philippines?

Because Bolivia is landlocked, ocean container cargo arrives via designated Pacific transit seaports in northern Chile (Port of Arica or Port of Iquique) or southern Peru (Port of Matarani) under international free transit treaties. The cargo is then transferred onto bonded international trucks or rail cars under ASP-B supervision for final customs clearance at Bolivian interior customs depots in La Paz, Cochabamba, or Santa Cruz.

Which airports handle air cargo shipments between the Philippines and Bolivia?

Air cargo departs from Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO), Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila (NAIA / MNL), Clark International Airport (CRK), and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Shipments arrive in Bolivia predominantly at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz (VVI), which processes over 70% of national air freight, as well as El Alto International Airport in La Paz (LPB) and Jorge Wilstermann Airport in Cochabamba (CBB).

What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to Bolivia?

Minimum order is 50 pieces per design for custom OEM/ODM production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix.

How long does shipping from the Philippines to Bolivia take?

The planning estimate for ocean container shipping via Pacific transit ports (Arica or Iquique) including bonded overland transport into Bolivia is 28 to 44 days door to interior customs depot. Air cargo connecting through international airline hubs takes 3 to 5 days airport to airport. International express couriers deliver in 4 to 7 business days door to door. Garment production takes 3 to 6 weeks after sample approval.

What import duties apply to Philippine apparel entering Bolivia?

Under the Bolivian customs tariff schedule (NANDINA), finished apparel is assessed at a Gravamen Arancelario (GA) of typically 10% to 20%, plus effective Value Added Tax (IVA Importaciones) of 14.94% on the CIF plus duty sum. A licensed Bolivian Despachante de Aduana should confirm the exact 10-digit tariff code.

Can PHShirt supply custom labels complying with Bolivian Spanish regulations?

Yes. OEM/ODM orders can include Spanish care labels conforming to IBNORCA standard NB 53001, permanent Hecho en Filipinas origin tags, fiber percentage breakdowns in Spanish, registered Bolivian importer NIT numbers, custom hangtags, and individual barcode polybags.

Which Incoterms can be quoted for Bolivia?

PHShirt can quote common Incoterms 2020 rules such as EXW, FCA, FOB (Manila, Davao DICT, or Cebu), CFR, or CIF (Port of Arica or Iquique in transit to Bolivia), or CPT / DAP (Santa Cruz or La Paz customs depot) depending on your logistics arrangements.

Discuss a shipment to Bolivia

Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination Bolivian city or interior customs terminal.

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Reference sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01. Requirements change: verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.