Register & get OR/CR for your imported car the right way

As per the Department of Foreign Affairs, anyone can bring a motor vehicle to the Philippines, given the motor vehicle is brand new. The matter is ruled by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular 92, Series of 1995, dated 19,1995, which states that the importation of a brand new motor vehicle of all types (including motorcycles) has been liberalised and does not require the prior authority to import.

If you are planning to import a motor vehicle in the Philippines, here are a few things to consider -

• You can import brand-new motor vehicles, meaning they should be current or advanced-year models, never registered or used, and covered by a certificate of first ownership.
• A qualified individual can also import a used motor vehicle; however, it shall be processed in the used category and duly covered by a prior authority to import by the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
• Further, new or used, imported motor vehicles should be left-hand drive.
• What about taxes & duties? Imported vehicles in the Philippines are subjected to 40% Customs duty, 10% VA, and Ad Valorem Tax from 15% to 100%, depending on the piston displacement. Note that the spare sent along with the imported vehicle is taxed separately.
• You might also be required to pay non-customs charges like storage and arrastre fees, demurrage, and wharfage dues.

All this is fine, but what about registering an imported car with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)? Yes, every motor vehicle is required to get registered, be it locally purchased or imported. While we have already discussed the former in detail here, it is time to learn about imported car registration.

So, without any delay, let us get to understand the registration of imported vehicles in the Philippines.

Imported Vehicle - An overview

What is an imported vehicle? It is a vehicle manufactured and assembled outside the country and then brought into the country for use.

In the Philippines, a vehicle is considered imported when it is shipped into the country from a foreign land for registration and use.

What about the cars rebuilt with imported parts? Are they classified as imported, too? No, they are not classified as imported vehicles. Such cars are classified based on their assembly origin and not as per the source of their component. However, they do need to comply with LTO registration requirements and standards.

Things to note about imported vehicles -

• They are accompanied by documentation from their country of origin, which includes an export certificate and a commercial invoice.
• Imported units often showcase differentiating specifications and standards compared to locally produced units.
• These vehicles are often influenced by regulations and technologies of the exporting country.

Imported vehicle - Registration basics

What's the purpose of registering an imported vehicle with the LTO? In the Philippines, registering an imported car with the LTO means documenting the unit to comply with local laws and regulations. Further, it helps the imported car meet all legal and safety standards.

 

There is no specific or separate regulation that needs to be followed when it comes to the registration of imported vehicles with the LTO. So, no additional paperwork, no special requirements.

What’s needed -

• The original sales invoice or commercial invoice from specific documents related to the acquisition of the car, along with a few other essentials, to ensure that the vehicle meets all legal and safety standards before hitting the public roads.
• Compliance with international clearance standards and documentation.

Note, if not done right, you might have to face delays and penalties during the registration process.

Why is it needed?

• It allows the owner of the imported unit to legally operate the vehicle.
• It ensures their vehicle’s roadworthiness.
• It helps with vehicle tracking and identification in case of theft or an accident.
• It integrates the imported unit into the country’s transportation system.
• It helps owners of imported units avoid potential fines and other legal repercussions.

Imported vehicle registration - Requirements

As mentioned earlier, the registration of imported vehicles is mostly the same as that of a regular car. The only difference is in the list of requirements; the imported units require a few additional documents due to their foreign origin. Check out the table below to find categorical requirements as per the imported vehicles classifications -

Brand new, CBU	Original Sales Invoice or Commercial invoice, issued by the Country of Origin
Used, exempted from EO 156/877-A	Original Sales Invoice and/or Commercial invoice or Certificate of Title issued by the Country of Origin Motor Vehicle Inspection Report Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards
Used, imported via the No Dollar Importation	Commercial invoice/ Certificate of Title issued by the Country of Origin Certified True Copy of the Authority under the No Dollar Importation program, issued by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Import Services Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards  Motor Vehicle Inspection Report Original Affidavit of first and last importation Seizure Proceedings and Notice of Award (if no authority from BIS)
Imported acquired through donation	Commercial invoice/ Certificate of Title, issued by the Country of Origin Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards  Motor Vehicle Inspection Report Original Secretary’s Certificate/Board Resolution when donor is a corporation Origin Deed of Donation duly signed by donor and the donee
Rebuilt with local chassis/body and with used imported engine	Certificate of Compliance to Emission Standards  Original Sales Invoice of Engine, Chassis, and Body Original Affidavit of Rebuilt executed by the Owner and/or Mechanic with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority National Certificate II stating, among others, the date of completion Original Certificate of Stock Reported for engine and chassis Motor Vehicle Inspection Report

Imported vehicle registration - Step-by-step procedure

You can register the imported vehicle with LTO in two ways - either by personally visiting the LTO branch that provides this service or online via the LTMS Portal. Either way, your goal here is to secure an OR/CR for your imported ride.

Let us now learn how to register an imported vehicle offline and online.

Imported Vehicle Registration at the LTO Office Step 1. Check the list of required documents and gather them in a folder to avoid misplacement during registration. Step 2. Identify the LTO office nearest to you that processes new vehicle registrations, as not all branches provide this service. Step 3. Arrive early at the LTO office to avoid long queues. Upon arrival, proceed to the appropriate counter. Step 4. Submit all required documents to the LTO evaluator, who will assess them for completeness. Once approved, the evaluator will compute the fees based on the vehicle. Step 5. Have the motor vehicle tested for emissions and submit the Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR). Step 6. Pay all necessary fees and await the Official Receipt (OR). Step 7. Finally, proceed to the Releasing Counter to obtain the Certificate of Registration (CR), along with plates and stickers.

Also Read: LTO OR/CR: Get to know two of the most important documents for your car

Imported Vehicle Registration via LTMS Portal Step 1. Visit the LTO LTMS Portal on your desktop or laptop. Step 2. Register or log in if you already have an account. Step 3. Follow the prompts to complete the motor vehicle registration process. Step 4. When paying fees online, take note of the payment reference number (PRN).

Also Read: A step-by-step guide to getting a duplicate LTO OR/CR

Imported vehicle registration fees

The initial cost of car registration is around PHP 1,000. Note that it excludes additional fees for stickers, license plates, and inspections. Check the table below for all the associated costs.

License plate	PHP 450
Stickers & tags	PHP 50
Inspection fees	PHP 90 - PHP 115
Penalty for late registration	PHP 200 per week, up to 50% of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge for a month delay
Registration fee	Approx PHP 1,000 (varies based on vehicle type and other factors)

Imported vehicle registration - Things to consider

• Not all LTO branches deal with imported vehicle registration; therefore, make sure you are heading to the right office.
• Usually, dealers handle the first registration of an imported vehicle; however, in some cases, the owner needs to take care of the process themselves.
• Make sure to stick to the imported vehicle registration schedule, or else get ready for a hefty fine of PHP 10,000 and a possible impoundment.
• Fine for late registration starts at PHP 200 per week, up to 50% of MVUC for a month delay.

Also Read: Check out all the violations, penalties, and fines a driver may face in the Philippines.

Bottom line

Remember, registration of an imported motor vehicle is way simpler than getting your hands on one. All you need to do is collect the required documents and follow the same instructions as registering a regular vehicle. Yes, there is no simple procedure, just a few extra documents. Remember, it is crucial to register your imported vehicle, as it will help avoid penalties, fines, and other potential repercussions.

Also Read: Understanding 3-year LTO registration in detail