My experience buying the Schiit Hel+ from the US and why it's worth it for Filipino gamers

April 29, 2026

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently looking for the perfect audio setup for my desk in Manila. For those of us who take competitive gaming seriously, we know that standard PC motherboard audio just doesn’t cut it. That is where Schiit Audio comes in. They are a cult-favorite brand from the US that focuses on high-quality, no-nonsense gear. The Schiit Hel+ has become a rising star in our local circles because it combines a massive amount of power for headphones with a professional-grade microphone input.

My experience buying the Schiit Hel+ from the US and why it
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I noticed that many of my friends were trying to find this unit locally, but the prices from local distributors are often inflated. By the time it reaches the Philippines, the markup is quite high. I found that buying it directly from the US is significantly cheaper, even when you factor in the cost to forward packages to our doorstep.

How I bought it directly from the US

The first thing I did was visit the Schiit website to see the US pricing. It is much more manageable than what I saw on local marketplaces. To make this work, I used comGateway to get a tax-free US address. This is a crucial step because it allows me to shop at US stores as if I were living there, avoiding the immediate international shipping fees that some stores charge.

When you use a parcel forwarding service, you essentially send your order to a warehouse in a tax-free state like Oregon, and then they send it to you in the Philippines. It is a simple step-by-step guide that I have followed for several of my PC upgrades this year.

Solving the payment block problem with BuyForMe

One issue I have run into when shopping at big US stores like Nike, Sephora, or even some electronics outlets, is that they sometimes block international credit cards. It can be incredibly frustrating to have your order cancelled just because your billing address is in the Philippines. I have also seen orders get declined when the store realizes the shipping address belongs to a package forwarding warehouse.

To get around this, I use the BuyForMe service. We simply tell the comGateway team what we want to buy, and they purchase it on our behalf using a US domestic credit card. I have found this is the safest way to guarantee an order doesn't get cancelled. If you are worried about your PH card being rejected, this service handles the entire transaction for you, making the process much smoother. If you have questions about how it works, you can always check their FAQ for more details.

My shipping estimates for the Philippines

Before you hit that buy button, I recommend using a shipping calculator to get a clear idea of the total cost. Here is what I estimated for the Schiit Hel+ based on my experience:

Factor Estimate
Box Weight Approx. 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) including the unit, cables, and packaging.
Box Dimensions Small. Usually around 9 x 6 x 4 inches.
Volumetric Warning Low risk. Since the Hel+ is dense and small, you likely won't be charged for volumetric weight.
Battery Check No batteries. The Hel+ is powered via USB or a wall plug, so there are no special lithium battery shipping restrictions.

I always suggest checking the estimate shipping cost tool before finalizing your purchase to see the latest rates for 2026.

Import tips for us in the Philippines

For my fellow Filipinos, remember the de minimis rule. As of 2026, if your total shipment value (including shipping and insurance) is under 10,000 PHP, you generally won't have to pay import duties and taxes. Since the Schiit Hel+ is priced around $200 USD, it often hovers right around that limit depending on the current exchange rate.

If you are buying multiple items, I recommend using the consolidation services offered by your freight forwarder. By combining several small packages into one box, I have saved a lot on the base shipping rates. If you ever feel stuck, the support team is usually very helpful in explaining how to declare your items correctly for customs.

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