PAGCOR Shipment Clearance for Gaming Equipment: Requirements and Process

Importing gaming equipment and paraphernalia into the Philippines requires prior clearance from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Operators request this through the Shipment Clearance Request and Approval Form (EG Form No. 11, Form No. EGLD-939). The request is filed with the appropriate Evaluating Department, and PAGCOR processes it within 3 business days — provided the operator submits correct, complete information and documentary requirements. Requests with incorrect or incomplete information are returned. Below is the step-by-step path, the fees, and the terms and conditions an operator must meet.

Who needs a PAGCOR shipment clearance

Any operator importing gaming equipment and/or paraphernalia necessary for gaming site operations must obtain a shipment clearance from PAGCOR before importation. The form covers items such as electronic gaming and bingo machines, gaming chips and plaques, gaming tables and layouts, playing cards, shufflers, progressive jackpot systems, casino management systems, and bingo equipment, among others.

Each item type is evaluated by a specific department. For example, electronic gaming and bingo machines, peripherals, game conversion kits, and slots systems fall under the Slot Machine Department (SMD); gaming chips, plaques, and playing cards fall under the Table Games Department (TGD); and bingo cards, tickets, and consoles fall under the Bingo Department (BD).

Step-by-step: How to request shipment clearance

1. Complete Section A of EG Form No. 11. Mark the applicable item category, describe the item, state its purpose or use (gaming venue, stock/spare, or warranty/replacement), and indicate the gaming site location or the operator's storage area.
2. Fill out Section A.1 on customs and duties. Indicate whether the importation is for availment of PAGCOR's duty/tax-free privileges, covered by an import permit filed by the operator, or whether customs duties and taxes are for the operator's account. Attach the shipping documents and provide the commercial invoice number, supplier details, shipment point of origin, and broker's name.
3. Pay the processing fee. Present the form to the PAGCOR Cashier and pay the PhP1,000.00 non-refundable processing fee. Secure the Official Receipt.
4. Submit the form and receipt. Submit EG Form No. 11 together with a copy of the Official Receipt to the appropriate Evaluating Department.
5. Wait for processing. PAGCOR allows 3 business days to process the request, barring any default caused by the requesting operator.

Where and how to submit

Completed forms may be submitted through the PAGCOR Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) at ecms.pagcor.ph. If submitted through ECMS, an e-mail notification confirming receipt is sent, and the application status can be viewed and monitored through the online account. The acknowledgment generated by the system may be downloaded and printed as proof of submission.

Hard copies may be submitted directly to PAGCOR's Central Receiving – Records Management Department at the G/F Lobby, MET Live Building, Central Business Park 1-A, Macapagal Boulevard corner EDSA Extension, Pasay City. If no e-mail confirmation is received, the operator may inquire with the corresponding Evaluating Department.

Grounds for rejection or return

PAGCOR will return a request for any of the following reasons:

• Incomplete information and/or supporting shipping documents
• Incorrect information vis-à-vis supporting shipping documents
• The supplier is not PAGCOR-registered
• No prior review of the proposed importation
• No prior approval from EGLD for electronic gaming or bingo machines, game conversion kits, or electronic gaming or bingo systems

Key terms and conditions

Prior evaluation and approval. Gaming machines and terminals, gaming systems, and game conversion kits must undergo prior evaluation and approval by PAGCOR before an operator may request shipment clearance. Otherwise, the request is rejected.

Registered supplier requirement. A supplier of gaming machines, systems, and other gaming equipment and paraphernalia must be registered with PAGCOR. A shipment clearance request involving a non-registered supplier is rejected.

Strict conformity with approved documents. If approval is granted, the operator must ensure all shipped items are strictly within the quantities and descriptions in the PAGCOR-approved shipping documents. Items in excess of, or not indicated in, those documents are deemed unauthorized and may be subject to confiscation by appropriate government authorities.

Inspection and inventory. Before the shipment is turned over to the operator, a representative from the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department (CMED) conducts an inspection and inventory. Any subsequent movements of the items require written notification from CMED prior to implementation.

Exclusive use and saturation rules. The imported items must be necessary for gaming operations and for the exclusive use of the gaming site. Procurement of gaming equipment and paraphernalia is also subject to the prohibition based on the current list of saturated areas for gaming sites.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the PAGCOR shipment clearance processing fee? The processing fee is PhP1,000.00, which is non-refundable. It is paid to the PAGCOR Cashier, and a copy of the Official Receipt is submitted with the form.

How long does PAGCOR take to process a shipment clearance request? PAGCOR allows 3 business days to process the request, barring any default caused by the requesting operator.

Can I import gaming equipment from a supplier that is not registered with PAGCOR? No. A shipment clearance request on importation from a supplier who is not PAGCOR-registered shall be rejected by PAGCOR.

Practical takeaways

• Use EG Form No. 11 (Form No. EGLD-939) to request shipment clearance for gaming equipment and paraphernalia.
• Pay the PhP1,000.00 non-refundable processing fee and submit the Official Receipt with the form.
• Ensure the supplier is PAGCOR-registered and that machines, systems, and conversion kits have undergone prior evaluation and approval.
• Submit complete and accurate information, or the request will be returned.
• Expect CMED inspection and inventory before the shipment is turned over, and secure written notification from CMED for any subsequent movement.

Primary sources

The rules discussed above are drawn from the following PAGCOR issuances, embedded here in full for your reference.

Regulatory Framework for the destruction of gaming equipment and gaming paraphernaliaOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

1.14 SHIPMENT CLEARANCE REQUEST AND APPROVAL FORMOpen in Law LibraryDownload PDF

This article is general information and not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a lawyer or ask ASG Legal AI.