Last materially reviewed: September 3, 2026
Direct Answer
Terms and conditions for a Philippine online business should clearly explain the commercial rules that govern use of the website or service and the transaction between the business and customer. A good set of terms identifies the merchant, explains ordering and payment, describes delivery or service performance, sets lawful cancellation and refund rules, addresses acceptable use and intellectual property, and points users to the privacy notice. Terms should match the real business process and should not attempt to waive rights that cannot legally be waived.
Key Takeaways
- Do not copy generic foreign terms without adapting them to Philippine operations and law.
- Make important terms visible before the customer commits to purchase.
- Keep refund and cancellation clauses consistent with consumer rights.
- Separate privacy disclosures from commercial terms, but link them clearly.
- Review terms whenever pricing, subscriptions, delivery, marketplace use or technology changes.
1. Business identity
State the legal business or merchant name and the contact channels consumers can use. Ensure the information is consistent with the registrations and disclosures required for your selling setup.
2. Eligibility and account rules
If users create accounts, explain age or eligibility requirements, password responsibility, prohibited account sharing and when access may be suspended.
3. Product or service descriptions
Explain how descriptions, images, availability and specifications are presented. Avoid clauses that imply the merchant can materially change what was purchased without notice.
4. Prices and payment
State currency, taxes where relevant, mandatory charges, accepted payment methods, when payment is captured and how failed or duplicate transactions are handled.
5. Orders and acceptance
Clarify whether an automated confirmation means the order has been received or formally accepted. Explain circumstances where an order may be cancelled, such as unavailable stock, obvious pricing errors or failed payment, while keeping the process fair and transparent.
6. Delivery and performance
Describe delivery areas, estimated timeframes, shipping charges, customer responsibilities for addresses and what happens when delays occur.
7. Cancellations, returns and refunds
Set out the process without trying to remove mandatory rights. Link to a detailed policy if necessary. See E-Commerce Returns, Refunds and Consumer Rights Philippines.
8. Acceptable use
For digital services, platforms or memberships, define prohibited conduct such as unauthorized access, abuse, scraping, malware, fraudulent transactions or infringement.
9. Intellectual property
Explain ownership of website content, software, trademarks and user-submitted material where relevant. If users upload content, state the license the business actually needs rather than claiming unnecessarily broad rights.
10. Liability and disclaimers
Disclaimers should be specific and reasonable. Avoid language suggesting the business has no responsibility under any circumstances, because consumer and other mandatory laws can limit how far liability may be excluded.
11. Privacy and personal data
Link to the privacy notice and keep data-processing information there rather than burying it inside commercial terms. See Privacy Notice Requirements Philippines.
12. Changes to terms
Explain how material changes will be communicated and when they take effect. Avoid retroactively changing terms in a way that unfairly alters completed transactions.
13. Complaints and dispute channels
Provide a practical contact method and internal escalation path. If the business is regulated or subject to a government complaint mechanism, include accurate information about it.
Terms implementation checklist
- Terms match checkout and actual operations
- Important charges appear before purchase
- Refund policy is lawful and readable
- Privacy notice is separately linked
- Customer can save or access the terms
- Version/effective date is recorded
- Major updates trigger review by legal or compliance staff
FAQs
Are online terms enforceable in the Philippines?
They can be, depending on formation, notice, assent, content and applicable law. See our Online Terms and Conditions Philippines legal guide for the broader enforceability analysis.
Do terms replace a privacy policy?
No. They serve different functions. Terms govern the transaction or service; a privacy notice explains personal-data processing.
Can a business change terms anytime?
Businesses can update terms prospectively, but material changes should be communicated fairly and should not be used to rewrite completed transactions improperly.
Related Cybercode Guides
- Online Terms and Conditions Philippines
- Online Seller Disclosure Requirements
- Website Legal Requirements Philippines