Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)
Dietary supplements, medical foods and foods for special dietary use.
Document Services
FDA Apostille for the Philippines
FDA Apostille for the Philippines
Since 14 May 2019, the Philippines has accepted apostilles instead of consular authentication. That means a U.S. FDA export certificate needs only a U.S. Department of State apostille to support a product registration in Manila. Upload the digital certificate and we return it apostilled by FedEx.
- Hague membersince 14 May 2019
- Apostilledocument route
- Filipino & Englishofficial language
- 9 daysstandard processing
Simply upload your FDA digital file, and you will receive your apostilled document via FedEx.
Processing time 9 business days
- No document shipping is required.
- You may update your own FedEx AWB or create a new one.
- Expedited processing times are offered.
- Credit card payments are accepted.
- The U.S. Department of State fee is already included.
- No separate U.S. Department of State form is needed.
- Track your order history and expenditures online.
Exp. Service fee$68 / Doc.
US Dept. of State fee$20 / Doc.
Total:$88 / Doc.
Why the Philippines Asks for an Apostilled FDA Certificate
There are two FDAs in this process, and it helps to keep them apart. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues your export certificate, such as a Certificate of Free Sale, CFG or CPP. The Philippine regulator, also called the Food and Drug Administration (FDA Philippines), reviews it when your local partner applies for a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR). The apostille is the link between the two: it confirms to FDA Philippines that the U.S. certificate is genuine.
Before the Philippines joined the Hague Convention, U.S. documents had to be authenticated by a Philippine embassy or consulate. That step is gone. Because the U.S. FDA is a federal agency, the apostille comes from the U.S. Department of State. We handle that and ship the certificate to you or straight to your Philippine importer.
FDA certificates we apostille for the Philippines
Which FDA Certificate Does Your Philippine Importer Need?
Match your product to the Philippine authority that reviews it and the FDA certificate that authority normally expects.
| Product type | Philippine authority | FDA certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines | FDA Philippines, Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) | Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), Certificate of Exportability |
| Medical devices | FDA Philippines, Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research (CDRRHR) | Certificate to a Foreign Government (CFG), Certificate of Exportability |
| Food, ingredients & infant formula | FDA Philippines, Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR) | Certificate to a Foreign Government (CFG), Health Certificate |
| Food supplements & medical foods | FDA Philippines, Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR) | Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) |
| Cosmetics & household products | FDA Philippines, Center for Cosmetics and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR) | Certificate for Cosmetics |
Each FDA Philippines center has its own registration requirements, and they change through FDA circulars. Your Philippine importer, who must hold a License to Operate, will confirm which U.S. FDA certificate the center expects for your product.
How the FDA Apostille for the Philippines Works
The Hague Apostille Convention has been in force for the Philippines since 14 May 2019, so a single apostille from the U.S. Department of State makes your FDA certificate valid there. There is no embassy visit, consular stamp or second legalization step.
Upload your FDA certificate
Send the digital certificate exactly as the FDA issued it and choose the Philippines as the destination.
We review it
We check that the certificate is complete, FDA-signed and ready for the State Department.
State Department apostille
We submit it to the Office of Authentications and track it until the apostille is issued.
FedEx delivery
The apostilled certificate ships to you, your importer or your agent in Manila or anywhere else.
Exporting to the Philippines: What to Prepare
Only a licensed importer can file
Foreign manufacturers can't apply to FDA Philippines directly. Applications go through a Philippine importer, distributor or agent with a valid License to Operate (LTO). Make sure the manufacturer and product names on your U.S. FDA certificate match your agreement with them.
English works
English is an official language of the Philippines alongside Filipino, and FDA Philippines works in English. Your U.S. FDA certificate generally doesn't need translation, which keeps the process short.
Registrations need renewing
Certificates of Product Registration are valid for a limited period, often between two and five years depending on the product. Keep a fresh apostilled U.S. certificate ready before renewal falls due, so the registration doesn't lapse.
ASEAN plans
Cosmetics in the Philippines follow the harmonized ASEAN cosmetic rules, and many exporters plan the Philippines alongside Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. Singapore and Indonesia accept apostilles, but some ASEAN members still require embassy legalization. Tell us each destination.
FDA Apostille Cost for the Philippines
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Our service fee | $68 / doc. | Review, submission, tracking and FedEx dispatch |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 / doc. | Paid by us on your behalf |
| Total | $88 / doc. | Standard processing: 9 business days. Expedited options available. |
FDA Apostille for the Philippines: FAQs
Is the Philippines a member of the Hague Apostille Convention?
Yes. The Philippines joined by accession, and the Convention has applied there since 14 May 2019. A U.S. Department of State apostille replaces the old Philippine embassy or consular authentication.
What's the difference between the U.S. FDA and FDA Philippines?
They are separate regulators. The U.S. FDA issues your export certificate. FDA Philippines is the Philippine agency that registers products for sale in the Philippines. The apostille confirms to FDA Philippines that the U.S. FDA certificate is genuine.
Do I still need Philippine consular authentication?
No. Authentication at a Philippine embassy or consulate was needed before May 2019. Now a U.S. Department of State apostille is enough for U.S. federal documents such as FDA certificates.
Does my U.S. FDA certificate need to be translated?
Generally not. English is an official language in the Philippines, and FDA Philippines works in English.
Which U.S. FDA certificate do I need for a Philippine CPR?
A CPP for medicines, a CFG for medical devices and conventional foods, a Certificate of Free Sale for food supplements, and a Certificate for Cosmetics for cosmetic products. Export-only products need a Certificate of Exportability. Your importer will confirm what the relevant FDA Philippines center expects.
How long does an FDA apostille for the Philippines take and what does it cost?
Standard processing takes 9 business days and costs $88 per document: our $68 service fee plus the $20 U.S. Department of State fee. Expedited options are available.
FDA Certificates We Apostille for the Philippines
Certificate to a Foreign Government (CFG)
Medical devices, conventional foods, food additives and infant formula sold in the U.S.
Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP)
The WHO-format certificate used to register human drugs.
Certificate of Exportability
Products made in the U.S. for export only.
Health Certificate
Collagen and gelatin exports (EU health certificate or SRM certificate).
Certificate for Cosmetics
Skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance products.
Nearby destinations
Get Your FDA Certificate Apostilled for the Philippines
Upload your FDA certificate today and receive it apostilled by FedEx in 9 business days, for $88 per document with the State Department fee included.
Start Your Order Ask a Question
Simply upload your FDA digital file, and you will receive your apostilled document via FedEx.
Processing time
9 business days
- We accept credit card payments.
- Track your order history and expenses online.
- The U.S. Department of State fee is already included.
- Submit the files you received from the FDA electronically.
- We use the State Department minimum processing time.
- You may update your own FedEx air waybill or purchase a new one.
- U.S. Department of State Form DS-4194 is not required; we handle it.
Exp. Service fee
US Dept. of State fee
Total:
Click here toupload your first FDA digital filePDF only · or drag and drop it here