Philippine apparel sourcing guide
Import apparel from the Philippines to Colombia
Buyers importing apparel from the Philippines to Colombia can source blank shirts and custom OEM/ODM garments directly from PHShirt. We prepare commercial documentation for the agreed Incoterm and coordinate freight from the Philippines toward Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and other commercial centers in Colombia. Final duties, permits, labelling, and product safety obligations should be confirmed with a licensed broker or competent authority before shipment.
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.
Philippines to Colombia Shipping Corridors & Ports
Direct ocean line-haul services and scheduled air cargo flights connecting Philippine manufacturing hubs directly to Colombia Pacific and Caribbean gateways.
Major International Seaports (Ocean Container Gateways)
Containerized FCL and LCL apparel cargo ships out of dedicated Philippine container terminals and enters Colombia through deepwater ocean port facilities on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Philippines Departure Seaports
Origin Hubs- Port of Manila (MICT & South Harbor) PHMNL
Largest international container gateway in the Philippines, processing over 4.5 million TEUs annually. Offers high-frequency transpacific carrier sailings connecting Philippine garment production directly to South American Pacific ports.
- Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) PHDVO / PHDIC
Premier modern deepwater container terminal in Panabo City, Davao Gulf. Features a 15-meter natural draft accommodating large container vessels. Operates direct scheduled feeder services connecting into transpacific loops for Mindanao apparel shipments.
- Cebu International Port (CIP) PHCEB
Central Visayas maritime cargo consolidation hub linking garment manufacturing plants in Mactan and Cebu export processing zones with international container carrier loops.
Colombia Arrival Seaports
Destination HubsPrimary Pacific maritime gateway of Colombia, handling over 60 percent of total maritime import cargo. Deepwater container terminals (SPRBUN, TCBUEN, and Puerto Aguadulce) connect directly with transpacific shipping routes from Asia, providing the shortest sea route to Cali, Medellin, and Bogota. Explore our dedicated Port of Buenaventura cargo guide.
- Port of Cartagena (Terminal de Contenedores CONTECAR & SPRC) COCTG
Premier Caribbean transshipment hub and state-of-the-art container port complex. Features Neo-Panamax berths accommodating international carriers transiting the Panama Canal with direct highway access to northern industrial corridors.
- Port of Barranquilla (Sociedad Portuaria de Barranquilla) COBAQ
Strategic maritime and fluvial gateway along the Magdalena River near the Caribbean coast. Serves Atlantic department industrial centers and regional distribution facilities.
- Port of Santa Marta (SMIT) COSMR
Naturally deep Caribbean harbor with up to 16 meters draft, offering fast turnaround times, dedicated container berths, and direct on-dock rail logistics to the interior via the FENOCO Concession Railway.
Major International Airports (Air Cargo Gateways)
Time-critical fashion launches, event merchandise, pre-production size sets, and high-value orders fly directly between Philippine cargo gateways and Colombian international aviation cargo hubs.
Philippines Departure Airports
Origin Air Cargo- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA / MNL) MNL / RPLL
National air cargo flagship in Metro Manila. Connects air freight shipments to Bogota El Dorado via scheduled widebody services and international freighters operating through North American and European connection hubs.
- Clark International Airport (CRK) CRK / RPLC
Major express freight hub in Central Luzon hosting dedicated international integrator facilities (FedEx, UPS, DHL). Features 24/7 freighter ramp handling and rapid customs clearance.
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) CEB / RPVM
Central Visayas air cargo gateway linking garment producers to international air cargo networks through scheduled transshipment connections.
- Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) DVO / RPMD
Primary air cargo facility for Southern Mindanao. Regular widebody domestic bellyhold cargo connects Mindanao production into Manila for consolidated international air waybills to Colombia.
Colombia Arrival Airports
Destination Air CargoBusiest air cargo airport in Latin America and the primary aviation freight hub of Colombia. Features the modern Central de Carga Aerea with extensive bonded warehousing, 24/7 DIAN customs processing, and direct connections to North America and Europe. Explore our dedicated El Dorado Airport cargo guide.
- Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) MDE / SKRG
Primary international airport serving Medellin and the Antioquia department, the traditional center of Colombia textile and fashion manufacturing. Handles scheduled freighter services and rapid regional customs clearance.
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO) CLO / SKCL
Major international aviation gateway serving Cali and the Valle del Cauca department, offering dedicated air cargo facilities and regional distribution connections across southwestern Colombia.
Landed-cost & Trade Framework for Colombia
A reliable landed-cost estimate needs the final garment specification, quantity, packing dimensions, HS classification, Incoterm, destination, and delivery mode.
- Trade Framework
- Standard WTO Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Tariff Schedule
- Duty & Customs Guide
- Duties assessed according to destination MFN tariff rates for HS Chapter 61 (Knitted) and Chapter 62 (Woven). Commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading or air waybill required.
- Recommended Fabrics
- 160 to 200 GSM premium cotton blanks, custom cut-and-sew apparel, and custom brand packaging.
- Destination currency
- Colombian Peso (COP)
- Freight variables
- Chargeable weight or cubic volume, fuel and security surcharges, terminal fees, brokerage, insurance, and inland delivery.
Compliance checkpoints for Colombia
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.
- Destination country textile labelling rules
- General product safety and consumer protection requirements
- Spanish language care and fiber composition tags
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
- HS Chapter 62: woven apparel
- Confirm the 6 to 10 digit tariff line with a licensed customs broker
Documents commonly prepared
Document requirements vary by buyer, carrier, bank, customs authority, and trade arrangement.
- 01Commercial invoiceSeller, buyer, goods, values, currency, Incoterm, and payment details.
- 02Packing listCartons, quantities, sizes, net and gross weight, and dimensions.
- 03Transport documentBill of lading, sea waybill, or air waybill issued for the shipment.
- 04Supporting certificatesOrigin, testing, inspection, or preferential documents when required.
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
- Bank transfer; documentary collection or letter of credit may be agreed for qualified larger orders
Importing from the Philippines to Colombia: FAQ
Answers for early-stage sourcing. Your quotation will state the commercial terms that apply to the actual order.
What is the minimum order for shipping apparel to Colombia?
50 pieces per design for custom production; blank-stock MOQs depend on brand, color, and size mix
How long does shipping from the Philippines to Colombia take?
The planning estimate for sea freight is 22 to 45 days. Production normally takes 3 to 6 weeks after sample, artwork, and payment approval; shipping time is additional. Carrier schedules, customs, transshipment, and inland delivery can change the final timeline.
Which seaports and airports in Colombia receive Philippine apparel shipments?
Primary containerized ocean shipments arrive at the Port of Buenaventura on the Pacific coast or the Port of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, with secondary options at Barranquilla and Santa Marta. Air cargo dispatches fly directly into Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG), Jose Maria Cordova Airport in Medellin (MDE), or Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Airport in Cali (CLO).
Which HS codes commonly apply to apparel imported into Colombia?
Knitted or crocheted apparel generally begins in HS Chapter 61, while woven apparel generally begins in Chapter 62. A licensed customs broker should confirm the final tariff line from the garment construction, fiber content, use, and destination tariff schedule.
Can PHShirt supply custom labels and packaging for Colombia?
Yes. OEM/ODM orders can include buyer-approved size labels, care labels in Spanish, brand labels, hangtags, folding, polybags, and carton marks, subject to Colombia current labelling and packaging regulations.
Which Incoterms can be quoted?
PHShirt can discuss common Incoterms such as EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, or CIF depending on the route and forwarder arrangement. The final quotation identifies the named place and Incoterms 2020 rule.
Discuss a shipment to Colombia
Send your garment type, quantity, sizes, decoration method, target delivery date, and destination Colombian port or city.
Reference sources
- UN M49 country and region reference
- ISO 3166 country code reference
- ISO 4217 currency reference
- Direccion de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN Colombia)
- Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura (SPRBUN)
- Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena (CONTECAR)
- Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado (Central de Carga Aerea)
- WTO tariff information
- World Customs Organization Harmonized System overview
- Country Codes dataset provenance
Last reviewed: 2026-09-19. Requirements change; verify current rules before contracting freight or producing labels.