THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking into extending the deadline for online merchants to secure the mandatory E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark — a seal that certifies that goods sold online have passed quality and safety checks.
At a press briefing in Makati City on September 19, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said that the DTI is considering to extend the September 30, 2025 deadline for online sellers to register for a “Trustmark” badge.
DTI E-Commerce Bureau officer-in-charge Eryl Royce Nagtalon told reporters that the Trade department is considering extending the deadline “until the end of the year.”
For his part, DTI Assistant Secretary Marcus Valdez II reiterated that securing a Trustmark is mandatory for all online businesses “in the exercise of the DTI’s regulatory jurisdiction on the use of the internet for e-commerce.”
“We really need to legitimize sellers doing legitimate business… and the only way to separate them from ‘fly-by-night’’ is through Trustmark,” Roque said.
“The Trustmark will give the seal of reliability,” the Trade chief said.
Roque said there are about 900,000 businesses who have gone digital already.
Nagtalon, however, said only more than 10,000 have applied for the Trustmark seal.
Under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12, series of 2025, issued on September 4, online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, or digital platforms are mandated to register for a Trustmark to be allowed to use the internet for conducting e-commerce in the Philippines, pursuant to Republic Act No. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.
Roque said the mandatory registration is also a direct response to the surge in consumer concerns, with the DTI recording over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions from January to August 2025.
As of September 8, the DTI has already issued the digital badge to several major companies, signaling early industry compliance. Among those registered are Shopee Philippines Inc. (Shopee), Bytedance Philippines Inc. (Tiktok Shop), Lalamove Philippines Inc. (Lalamove), and LG Electronics Philippines Inc. (LG).
To earn and maintain a Trustmark, businesses must meet key regulatory standards, including full business disclosure, protection of consumer data, and the establishment of an internal redress mechanism to address consumer complaints.
Online businesses may apply for the badge by completing the application form and submitting the required documents, such as their business name registration, business registration documents from SEC and CDA, BIR Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303), a valid Philippine government-issued ID of the applicant, and other necessary licenses/permits.
The total fees for securing a Trustmark badge amount to P1,130 composed of P1,000 application fee, web admin fee of P100, and Documentary Stamp Tax of P30.
The Trustmark is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Valdez said the P1,000 application fee is waived from DTI-registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises.
“We will be looking into the possibility of lowering the fees and the possibility of bracketing,” the DTI assistant secretary said.
Valdez said that an online seller without a Trustmark could be considered illegal, which could be grounds for them to be taken down or removed from a digital or e-commerce platform.
“We will be strict on this… this is our way to separate legitimate companies from fly-by-night ones,” Roque said. (GMA Integrated News)
