Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs
Code of the Philippines as amended by Executive Order No. 206 provides
duty and tax free privileges to the following individuals, the extent
of which depends on their particular status:
1. Returning Resident. A Returning Resident is a Filipino national
who has gone abroad and is now returning. Only those Returning Residents
who have an uninterrupted stay abroad for at least six (6) months
prior to their return to the Philippines are entitled to duty and
tax free privileges.
2. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a Filipino national who worked
in a foreign country under an employment contract. Only OFWs who
have an uninterrupted stay abroad for more than six (6) months are
entitled to duty and tax free privileges.
3. Former Filipino. A Filipino national who has acquired foreign
citizenship abroad and is now returning. Only former Filipinos who
are coming to settle permanently in the Philippines and have stayed
abroad for at least six months are entitled to the duty and tax
exemption privileges.
2
ARE BALIKBAYANS ALSO ENTITLED TO CERTAIN
DUTY AND TAX FREE PRIVILEGES?
BALIKBAYAN is another term for an
OFW or a former Filipino. A returning resident is also a BALIKBAYAN
when he has stayed abroad for at least one year. Balikbayans are entitled
to duty and tax free privileges.
