Terminal fees are paid by the passenger for air travel (often included in the ticket) or by the shipper/consignee in freight shipping (based on Incoterms) to cover port handling, infrastructure, and security. For air travel, it is usually integrated into the ticket price. For cargo, it is paid at origin or destination.
👉Terminal Fee (Passenger Service Charge) Collected by the airport authorities. Charged to all passengers (domestic and international) to cover airport facility use. At NAIA (Manila): ₱200 (Domestic flights) ₱550 (International flights) Usually already included in your airline ticket.
Terminal Handling Charges are usually borne by the shipper or consignee, depending on the agreed Incoterms between the parties involved. In some cases, the carrier may include THC as part of their freight rate, while in others, it may be billed separately to the shipper or consignee.
(NNIC), every departing international passenger would need to pay P950 for terminal fees, from P550. For domestic travelers, they have to shell out P390 from P200.
Airlines act as airport tenants, paying rent for counter and gate space, training facilities, storage facilities, hangars, offices, and maintenance facilities. They additionally pay for landing and parking fees, and to hold a lease on the ticket counter and gate space to occupy an exclusive area.
✅ A Filipino Citizen who is an OFW or a permanent resident of another country doesn't need to pay the travel tax. ✅Non-Filipino citizens are also exempted for paying the travel tax. For the terminal fee, everyone should pay for it just like the ₱1620 travel tax when going abroad.
The acquisition is said to be in line with AGI's growth strategy across North America. US-based airline cargo handling services provider Alliance Ground International (AGI) has purchased aviation service provider Airport Terminal Services (ATS) for an undisclosed sum.
NOTE: Aside from the Travel Tax, a separate Airport Terminal Fee of PHP 750.00 is levied on all travelers departing the Philippines. No one is exempt from the Airport Terminal Fee.
Certain individuals are exempt from paying the travel tax, including:
NAIA Terminal Fees Are Going Up! Starting September 2025, the Passenger Service Charge at NAIA will increase: International flights: from ₱550 → ₱950 Domestic flights: from ₱200 → ₱390 This is the first adjustment since 2000 — so be sure to plan your budget ahead!
Who pays the handling fee? The customer pays the handling fee. These fees are included on an invoice in addition to the order subtotal and shipping expenses.
Terminal Handling Charges are fees charged by ports and terminals that handle imported or exported cargo. This covers costs incurred by the terminal in handling the cargo, including loading and unloading, storage, documentation, and security1.
A handling fee is an amount charged to customers on top of their order subtotal and shipping fees. It covers the cost of expenses related to fulfillment, specifically packing fees based on required labor.
Travel tax¹ in the Philippines is a fee imposed by the Philippine government on individuals leaving the country. It does not matter where the air ticket was issued and how payment will be made. Most Filipino adults pay the full travel tax of PHP 2,700 for first class passage, and PHP 1,620 for economy class passage.
Philippine Peso
A person may bring into (import) or take out of (export) the Philippines, either physically or by electronical transfer, legal tender Philippine currency of an amount not exceeding PHP 50,000 (fifty thousand pesos, Philippine currency) without prior authorization from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
A Seamless Process
This new feature is available on the official eTravel website and the eGov PH app. It allows you to pay the required fee securely using various methods like GCash, Maya, or any credit/debit card before you generate your QR code.
The Travel Tax help support programs under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Commission on Higher Education, and tourism infrastructure and initiatives. Terminal fees are usually charged by airports for the improvement and maintenance of the airport's operation and its facilities.
Dual citizens whose stay in the Philippines exceed one (1) year will pay the travel tax irrespective of which passport they are using for travel.
The following Filipino citizens are EXEMPTED from the payment of travel tax pursuant to Sec. 2 of PD 1183, as amended: Overseas Filipino workers. Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines is less than one year.
💡 Reminder for OFWs: As mandated by law, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are exempted from paying the terminal fee. However, if the terminal fee is automatically included when you book or purchase your airline ticket, you are entitled to a refund.
TRAVELERS SHALL DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:
Foreign currencies in excess of USD 10,000.00 or its equivalent in any foreign currency. Agricultural products or their by-products.
An email containing an Acknowledgment Receipt (AR) will be sent to you confirming you have successfully paid the travel tax. Print two (2) copies of the AR and present them to the airline check-in counter prior to boarding.
The airport "45-minute rule" refers to the deadline for passengers to complete check-in and baggage drop-off, typically for domestic flights, meaning you must finish these steps at least 45 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure, with some airlines (like United) even requiring gate arrival by then. This rule ensures enough time for security and boarding, and missing it, even with online check-in, can lead to denied boarding or ticket forfeiture, especially if you have bags.
How Do Airports Make Money? While the airport owns the facilities, it makes money by leasing them to different entities, including retail shops, airlines, and air-freight companies. Another source of income for airports is charging for fuel and parking.
Airport managers oversee and supervise the operations of an airport and its staff. Their role is of utmost importance for an airport's seamless and undisrupted functioning.