Importing Your Pet to Philippines
Moderate to importDog and cat imports into the Philippines are cleared by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and a BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officer inspects your pet on arrival. BAI publishes one set of procedures for dogs and cats from any country, and the import clearance for each move can add its own conditions.
An approved Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) is required before travel. It is valid for only 60 days, and BAI’s Citizen’s Charter gives a total processing time of 13 days 3 hours for an online application. With all the required documents, BAI says your pet can be released the same day at the port of entry.
DAFF Australia reports that the Philippines advised new health requirements for cats and dogs from 9 March 2026. According to DAFF, they appear to include primary rabies vaccination at least 14 days before the import permit is issued and a rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml, with no timeframe given between vaccination and testing. BAI’s own page is silent on a titre test, so check the conditions on your SPSIC.
Import Requirements
Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 2 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.
Who is in charge
- Pet dog and cat imports are cleared by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), with inspection on arrival by a BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officer.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Where your pet travels from
| Group | What applies | Origins |
|---|---|---|
| All origins | BAI applies one SPSIC-based procedure to dogs and cats from every country; species-specific conditions are set in each SPSIC. Source | all |
- Not required: BAI publishes a single set of procedures and requirements for any dog or cat brought to the Philippines, with no grouping by origin country. The SPSIC itself may add conditions per shipment.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Import permit
- An approved Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) is required before travel; it is applied for online, with all documents uploaded as PDF or JPG files under 5MB each.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - The SPSIC (import permit) is valid for only 60 days.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - The approved SPSIC must be shown to the exporting country's veterinary authority to obtain the export permit or international veterinary health certificate.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Lead time: BAI's Citizen's Charter (3rd edition, National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division) gives a total processing time of 13 days 3 hours for an online import permit application for dogs and cats, with no fee listed at application stage.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026 - BAI's Citizen's Charter lists a notarised Affidavit of Undertaking among the documents for one-time (pet) importers.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026 - Per USDA APHIS guidance: personal pets apply as a 'one-time importer'; the SPSIC sets out the animal health import requirements to be met before travel (page last modified 9 September 2026).
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Pet Travel From the United States to the Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Microchip
- A microchip is required: proof of microchip is part of the SPSIC application, and the microchip number must appear on the export health certificate. BAI does not state a microchip standard or timing relative to vaccination.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Rabies vaccination
- BAI's own page asks only for vaccination records and does not state rabies timing. Per DAFF Australia guidance (page last updated 25 February 2026): the Philippines advised new health requirements for cats and dogs from 9 March 2026, which DAFF says 'appear to be' primary rabies vaccination at least 14 days before the import permit is issued, among others.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026 - Per the USDA APHIS Philippines health certificate: rabies vaccination must be given at least 14 days before travel, at a minimum age of 12 weeks; animals vaccinated earlier need a booster before applying for the SPS Import Clearance.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and/or Cats from the United States of America to Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Rabies titre test
- BAI's own page is silent on a titre test. Per DAFF Australia guidance (page last updated 25 February 2026): the new requirements from 9 March 2026, which DAFF says 'appear to be' the health requirements, include a rabies neutralising antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml; the Philippines has given no timeframe between vaccination and testing. The undated USDA APHIS certificate does not include a titre statement, so US exporters should check the SPSIC conditions.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026Official sources differ
BAI's own pet import page (https://www.bai.gov.ph/Stakeholders/PetImport) lists the SPSIC documents (vaccination and antiparasitic records, proof of microchip, photograph, pet passport) and does not mention a titre test. DAFF reports the test as part of new requirements from 9 March 2026, so it is recorded as required; the SPSIC issued for each pet states the conditions that apply. - Per DAFF Australia guidance: the titre requirement applies even to WOAH self-declared rabies-free countries such as Australia.
Applies to dogs and cats from rabies-free origins, including Australia.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026
Health certificate
- The export permit or international veterinary health certificate must be issued by the exporting country's government veterinary authority, in English or with an English translation, and must show animal details, microchip number, vaccination and antiparasitic treatment details and the issuing veterinarian's name and signature.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - On arrival present printed approved SPSIC and the original export permit or international veterinary health certificate issued by the origin country's veterinary authority.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Per DAFF Australia guidance: a valid health certificate from the country of origin is required.
Applies to dogs and cats from Australia.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026 - Per USDA APHIS guidance: certificates must be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Pet Travel From the United States to the Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Other vaccines and tests
- BAI asks for vaccination records but names no vaccines. Per the USDA APHIS Philippines certificate: dogs need distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus vaccination and cats need feline panleukopenia vaccination, each given at least 14 days before travel.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and/or Cats from the United States of America to Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Parasite treatment
- Vaccination and antiparasitic records (internal and external) are required for the SPSIC application, and the health certificate must show the antiparasitic treatment type, brand and validity.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Per DAFF Australia guidance (page last updated 25 February 2026): among the new requirements from 9 March 2026, which DAFF says 'appear to be' the health requirements, internal and external parasite treatment must be valid until arrival in the Philippines.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026 - Per the USDA APHIS Philippines certificate: treatment for internal and external parasites within 30 days before travel.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and/or Cats from the United States of America to Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Quarantine
- BAI: with all required documents the animal can be released the same day at the port of entry.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Not listed: BAI's pet import page (International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog / Cat)) sets out the full procedures and requirements for bringing a dog or cat to the Philippines (SPSIC documents, health certificate contents, port clearance and fees) and lists no quarantine; it says animals with complete documents are released the same day. No other official source checked (USDA APHIS page and certificate, DAFF MICoR, GOV.UK 2930NFG, BAI Citizen's Charter) states a quarantine period for pets.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Arrival points and notice
- On arrival at any international port of entry, documents are presented to the BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officer.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Minimum age
- BAI sets no explicit minimum import age. Per the USDA APHIS Philippines certificate, rabies vaccination is given at a minimum of 12 weeks and at least 14 days before travel, so in practice pets are at least about 14 weeks old.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and/or Cats from the United States of America to Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
How many pets
- Maximum three animals per one-time importation.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - BAI's Citizen's Charter (service 9, import permit for dogs and cats) defines a one-time (pet) importer as one who imports a maximum of 3 animals once a year, or a maximum of 3 animals more than once a year provided the same animals (identified by microchip number) are imported, for owners frequently travelling with pets.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026 - Per USDA APHIS guidance: the number of animals on the SPSIC must match the number on the health certificate.
Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Pet Travel From the United States to the Philippines, checked 2 October 2026 - Per USDA APHIS guidance (page last modified 9 September 2026): up to three animals in total, dogs or cats or a mix, can be listed on one SPSIC.
Applies to dogs and cats from the United States.
Pet Travel From the United States to the Philippines, checked 2 October 2026
Banned and restricted breeds
- Not listed: BAI's pet import page sets out the full procedures and requirements for bringing a dog or cat to the Philippines and names no banned or restricted breeds. No other official source checked (USDA APHIS page and certificate, DAFF MICoR, GOV.UK 2930NFG, BAI Citizen's Charter) states a breed restriction. Airlines may set their own breed rules for travel.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
How your pet may travel
- Pets may arrive hand-carried or checked in on the aircraft, or as cargo released at the cargo terminal; cargo arrivals also need the airway bill stamped by the airline showing arrival.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Official fees
- Fees are paid on arrival at the airport Veterinary Quarantine office: SPS import clearance PHP 100, lodgement PHP 55, inspection PHP 250 per head for the first two pets and PHP 300 per head after that.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Payment for the SPSIC is made on arrival at the Veterinary Quarantine office in the airport.
International Movements (Import): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026
Other conditions
- Per DAFF Australia guidance: the Philippines competent authority is applying new health requirements for cats and dogs from 9 March 2026.
Philippines: dogs (live animals export conditions), checked 2 October 2026
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Import permit and approved entry points
Apply for the SPSIC online, uploading every document as a PDF or JPG file under 5MB. Proof of microchip is part of the application, along with vaccination and antiparasitic records (internal and external), and BAI’s Citizen’s Charter lists a notarised Affidavit of Undertaking for one-time (pet) importers. A one-time importation is limited to three animals.
Once approved, show the SPSIC to your origin country’s veterinary authority to get the export permit or international veterinary health certificate. That certificate must be in English or come with an English translation, and must show your pet’s details, microchip number, vaccination and antiparasitic treatment details and the issuing vet’s name and signature.
On arrival at any international port of entry, present the printed SPSIC and the original certificate to the BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officer. Fees are paid there: SPS import clearance PHP 100, lodgement PHP 55, and inspection PHP 250 per head for the first two pets and PHP 300 per head after that. Pets may arrive hand-carried, checked in or as cargo; cargo arrivals also need the airway bill stamped by the airline.
Routes to Philippines
Frequently Asked Questions
BAI’s own page does not say. DAFF Australia reports that the new requirements from 9 March 2026 appear to include a rabies neutralising antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml, even for pets from rabies-free countries such as Australia, with no timeframe given between vaccination and testing.
Check the conditions printed on your SPSIC before you book, because the clearance itself sets the requirements for your move.
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Philippines
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Code: PH
Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- BAI · Bureau of Animal Industry, Philippines