CUSTOMS duties and maritime transportation costs are significantly driving up logistics expenses for imported and domestic containers in the Philippines, according to a study by an international advisory services company.
“In both international and domestic logistics, port and terminal charges comprise the smallest portion of the total logistics cost, while the highest cost is represented by customs clearance and maritime transportation expenses,” Bluefocus Infrastructure Advisors’ Pablo Corralo Llorente said.
In a paper published last April titled “Analysis of Logistics Costs for Imported and Domestic Containers in the Philippines,” Llorente presented the results at a food security forum by the Makati Business Club last Monday.
The study showed that fees for Customs clearance processes contribute to 35 percent to 60 percent of the total cost, followed by maritime transportation, which includes shipping line freight rates and surcharges at 20 percent to 40 percent.
“Maritime transportation is costlier in the Philippines than in neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, with destination charges playing a larger role,” Llorente noted.
Inland logistics represent 10 percent to 25 percent of the total logistic costs due to trucking and warehousing charges. Lastly, port and terminal charges at the destination contribute only five percent to 10 percent, mostly due to terminal handling rates.
In all, the average logistics cost for an imported container in the Philippines is US$5,300 or around P311,372, representing a little over 10 percent of the stock value.
The same trend is seen in domestic logistics with maritime transportation and inland logistics costs at 45 percent to 50 percent, and port and terminal charges at only six to eight percent.
Food-related products such as processed goods and agricultural produce make up the largest share (40 percent) of outbound containers from Manila. Other significant commodities include clothing and textiles, construction materials, and healthcare supplies, the study showed.
Llorente said the study was commissioned by a large overseas manufacturer planning to invest in a high-volume production factory in the Philippines, noting that the cost and efficiency of container logistics operations were crucial for the investment decision.
