The Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines has included cement imports from China and Indonesia in the list of deliveries subject to safeguard duties. The basis was that the share of these countries in the total volume of cement imports exceeded the 3 % threshold.
The decision is set out in Department Administrative Order No. 26-03 dated May 20, 2026. According to the document, only deliveries from countries whose share in total cement imports is less than 3 % are exempt from the definitive general safeguard measure.
According to the department, around 6.02 metric tons of cement were imported into the Philippines in 2025, while around 1.29 metric tons were imported in the first quarter of 2026. Vietnam remained the main supplier: its share was 79 % in 2025 and 63 % in January–March 2026.
China’s share reached 11 % in 2025 and 23 % in the first quarter of 2026. Indonesia accounted for 6 % of deliveries in 2025 and 8 % as of the end of March 2026.
As a result, cement imports from China and Indonesia will be subject to a safeguard duty of 14 Philippine pesos per 40 kg bag, equivalent to 349 Philippine pesos per metric ton.
The department also said that the rate of safeguard measures is subject to regular review in accordance with the Safeguard Measures Act, aimed at protecting local players from imported goods.
