I found a way to get the Mode Tempo to the Philippines for way less than local prices

Why the Mode Tempo is trending

I have been keeping a close eye on 2026 keyboard releases, and nothing has caught my attention quite like the Mode Designs Tempo. If you spend any time on the mechanical keyboard subreddits, you have probably seen it appearing in the us trends and top build lists lately. It is a compact 60% keyboard that somehow manages to sound incredibly premium without a massive footprint.

What makes the Tempo a rising star is the customization tool on the Mode Designs website. I spent hours playing with different mounting styles—lattice, top mount, or gummy o-ring. In the Philippines, we usually only get the "safe" colorways from local group buys or resellers. By ordering directly from the US, I could pick a specific accent piece and a copper bottom weight that no local vendor was stocking.

The price gap between Philippines and the USA

I noticed a huge price difference when I started comparing my options. Local specialty shops in Manila often have to cover their own import costs and storage, which means they tack on a significant margin. For a high-end board like the Tempo, the markup can be anywhere from 20% to 40% more than the US retail price.

When I looked at the US store, the base price was much more reasonable. Even with the cost of international delivery, my total spend was lower than the pre-order prices I saw locally. Plus, I got to choose the exact components I wanted rather than settling for whatever was left in stock at a local warehouse. For me, the savings and the customization made it a no-brainer to shop us store options directly.

How I bought mine from the US

Since Mode Designs is a US-based company, the easiest way to get the best deal was to use a tax-free us address. I realized early on that shipping directly from the merchant to the Philippines can sometimes be restricted or overly expensive. I chose to use comGateway as my freight forwarder because they provide a Portland address, which meant I didn't have to pay any US sales tax on my keyboard kit.

If you are wondering how to do this yourself, I followed a simple how it works or step-by-step guide on their site. I just entered my US address at the Mode checkout, and once it arrived at the warehouse, I was notified to ship it home to the Philippines. It was much smoother than I expected for such a specialized piece of tech.

Shipping Estimates for the Philippines

Before I committed, I made sure to use the shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost for the trip to Manila. Here is the breakdown of what you can expect for a Mode Tempo kit in 2026:

Importing to Manila without the headache

My biggest worry was the customs process in the Philippines. However, because I kept my total value within reasonable limits and used a reliable forwarder, the process was straightforward. I have found that shipping through a reputable service often helps avoid the unpredictable "extra fees" you might encounter with standard postal services.

If you are looking for other cool gear to add to your shipment to save on combined shipping, check our guide on popular products currently trending in the US. I actually bundled my Tempo with some specialty keycaps and switches from another US vendor, which made the international shipping cost even more efficient per item. My build is now exactly how I pictured it, and I didn't have to pay the Manila "luxury tax" to get it.