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Shipping & Logistics · Philippines

Shipping Surgical Supply from India to Philippines: Sea vs Air to Manila

4 min read · Updated 2026-08-19 · GlobalSurgicals export desk

Short answer

Sea freight from India to Manila takes about 14–20 days and is the cheapest option for container orders; air freight takes 2–4 days and suits urgent or high-value items such as sutures and electrosurgical accessories.

Key takeaways

  • Sea: 14–20 days
  • Air: 2–4 days
  • LCL from 1 CBM
  • Export cartons are 5-ply and palletised

Sea freight

Most orders to Philippines move by sea from Mundra or Nhava Sheva to Manila. Mixing instruments, disposables and garments in one FCL brings freight per unit down sharply.

Air freight

Use air for tender deadlines, emergency stock-outs or light, high-value products. We ship air from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

Which products ship best by which mode

  • Sea: hospital furniture, drapes, gowns, gloves, bandages, incontinence products
  • Air or sea: surgical instruments, catheters, infusion sets
  • Air for urgent orders: sutures, electrosurgical pencils, ophthalmic consumables

Packaging for long transits

Sterile goods are double-packed with moisture-barrier liners; instruments are oiled and sealed in VCI paper to prevent corrosion in humid holds.

Customs clearance at Manila

Have your FDA Philippines registration and import permit ready before the vessel arrives to avoid demurrage.

Incoterms on the India - Philippines lane

  • EXW: you arrange the entire freight yourself from our factory gate
  • FOB: we deliver to the Indian port, you book the ocean freight
  • CIF/CFR: we arrange freight to Manila, the Incoterm most Philippines buyers choose
  • DAP/DDP: door delivery through a partner forwarder, quoted on request

Reducing transit risk on long lanes

For humid or long transits to Manila, ask for desiccant packs in cartons, VCI-treated instruments and marine insurance at full invoice value rather than freight value alone.

Sea freight

14–20 days

To Manila from Mundra or Nhava Sheva. Best for FCL/LCL container orders and mixed-category shipments.

Air freight

2–4 days

From Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi or Chennai. Best for urgent, tender or high-value orders.

Documents we provide for FDA Philippines

  • ISO 13485:2016 certificate of the manufacturing site
  • CE certificate or declaration of conformity per product family
  • Certificate of Free Sale issued in India
  • Technical file / product dossier formatted for the FDA Philippines
  • Certificate of origin, commercial invoice and packing list
  • Batch-wise certificate of analysis and sterilisation validation (for sterile items)

Where healthcare construction is growing in Philippines

  • New Clark City - a planned metropolis north of Manila

Get the Philippines surgical supply catalogue

Full catalogue and a CIF price list for Philippines, sent within one business day.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a surgical supply catalogue for Philippines?+

Request it on the GlobalSurgicals catalogue form or WhatsApp our export desk. We send the full catalogue and a Philippines price list (CIF Manila) within one business day.

How long does shipping from India to Philippines take?+

Sea freight to Manila takes about 14–20 days; air freight about 2–4 days.

Can you ship DDP to our warehouse?+

For many cities in Philippines we can quote DAP or DDP through partner forwarders. Ask the export desk for a door-delivery quote.

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