PH
Philippines
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US
United States
Pet Transport from the Philippines to the USA
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Sourced facts for this journey
7 Oct 2026
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The Philippines has its own CDC-approved rabies titre laboratory, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa. Philippine Airlines flies to Los Angeles and New York JFK, both CDC facility airports, taking dogs as checked baggage or cargo. At LAX, dogs not arriving as cargo are moved to cargo and may face clearance delays.
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Which airlines take pets from the Philippines to the United States?
- Philippine Airlines accepts pet dogs and cats as checked baggage; only service dogs travel in the cabin.
Philippine Airlines: Travelling with pets, checked 7 October 2026 - Philippine Airlines also carries live animals as cargo through PAL Cargo, under the IATA Live Animals Regulations plus its own added rules; its live animals page repeats the CDC rules for dogs flying to JFK and LAX.
Philippine Airlines Cargo: Live Animals, checked 7 October 2026 - Philippine Airlines' live animals (cargo) page says it will not fly pets of its listed breeds on any domestic or international flight. The list covers snub-nosed dogs and many others, including Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, apple-head Chihuahuas, Havanese, Rottweilers, Shih Tzus, Pugs, Boxers, Cane Corsos and all bulldog and mastiff breeds.
Philippine Airlines Cargo: Live Animals, checked 7 October 2026 - Qatar Airways flies Manila to Los Angeles with a stop in Doha.
Qatar Airways: Book flights to Los Angeles (LAX) from Manila (MNL), checked 7 October 2026 - On Qatar Airways, a pet must go as cargo rather than checked baggage if it is travelling alone, if it is over 75kg or 300cm total crate dimensions, or if it is connecting with other airlines.
Qatar Airways: Travelling with animals, checked 7 October 2026 - Cathay Pacific flies Manila to Los Angeles (LAX) with a connection in Hong Kong.
Cathay Pacific: Book a trip from Manila to Los Angeles, checked 7 October 2026 - Cathay Pacific pets (other than assistance dogs) travel through Cathay Cargo, which from 1 September 2025 accepts direct pet bookings only from listed parties such as IATA-accredited freight forwarders and holders of a valid IATA Live Animals Regulations training certificate.
Cathay Pacific: Travelling with animals, checked 7 October 2026 - Cathay Cargo accepts certain snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds only from January to May and October to December, and only on the routes it lists: Hong Kong to London Heathrow, Hong Kong to Melbourne and Hong Kong to Singapore.
Cathay Pacific: Travelling with animals, checked 7 October 2026
Where does the journey connect and land?
- Philippine Airlines' pet page sets out the CDC rules for dogs from the Philippines, lists the CDC facility airports, and notes that it flies to and from New York JFK and Los Angeles (LAX), both on that list.
Philippine Airlines: Travelling with pets, checked 7 October 2026 - When a pet's transfer time in Doha is more than 3 hours, Qatar Airways' ground staff let animals out of their kennels to walk and stretch, among other care steps.
Qatar Airways: Travelling with animals, checked 7 October 2026 - A dog or cat changing planes in Hong Kong needs a Special Permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), obtained in advance, even when only in transit (page last revised 15 September 2026).
AFCD Hong Kong: Import and transshipment of dogs and cats (last revised 15 September 2026), checked 7 October 2026 - For the CDC-registered animal care facilities at Los Angeles (LAX), CDC prefers dogs to arrive as cargo; any dog not arriving as cargo must be transferred to cargo on arrival and may face clearance delays (CDC list updated 1 September 2026).
CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities, checked 7 October 2026 - The New York facility (The ARK Pet Oasis) takes reservations only for dogs landing at JFK, not Newark or LaGuardia.
CDC: CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities, checked 7 October 2026
Where can the rabies blood test be done?
- The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, is on CDC's list of approved rabies serology laboratories, so a foreign-vaccinated dog's titre test can be done in the Philippines.
CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs (last updated 13 July 2026), checked 7 October 2026
What do the published charges come to?
- Qatar Airways publishes a checked-baggage rate for animals on routes that do not start or end in Qatar (such as Manila to Los Angeles via Doha) of USD 350 for a total weight up to 32kg and USD 450 for 32kg to 75kg, so USD 350 to USD 450.
Qatar Airways: Travelling with animals (fees for animals travelling as checked baggage), checked 7 October 2026
These are published charges only, not the full cost of a move. Prices change with your pet's size and crate, the airline and routing, the season, fuel surcharges and exchange rates. Your quote may differ.
Which United States rules depend on a pet coming from the Philippines?
The United States sorts countries into 2 groups, and the Philippines falls in “High-risk countries for dog rabies”.
Dog has been in one of these within 6 months: rabies vaccination mandatory. US-vaccinated dogs need USDA-endorsed CDC certification form; foreign-vaccinated dogs need foreign certification form, CDC-approved titre or 28-day quarantine, facility reservation and arrival at that facility's airport. Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Quarantine: Without a valid titre, the dog is admitted only after 28 days' quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility; this can be shortened if criteria are met. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Quarantine: All foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility before entry, where they are examined and revaccinated with a US-licensed rabies vaccine. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Quarantine: The 28-day CDC facility quarantine may be shortened only if all of these are met: personal pet or service dog; documentation of at least 2 rabies vaccines; healthy on exam; the facility gets CDC approval for a prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) assessment; the dog gets a US-issued rabies vaccine under PSM; and a titre is obtained from a CDC-approved US lab (CDC FAQ updated 27 August 2026). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries without a valid titre.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs need a passing rabies serology titre from a CDC-approved laboratory; blood drawn at least 30 days after the first valid vaccine and at least 28 days before entry. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Passing titre results are valid for life while vaccination does not lapse and the lab remains approved. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Not required: US-vaccinated dogs returning from a high-risk country need valid (unexpired) documentation of a US-issued rabies vaccination, not a titre. If that documentation is invalid, the foreign-vaccinated rules (including titre or 28-day quarantine) apply. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: Foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries need the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed by a vet and endorsed by an official government vet of the departure country. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: That form must be completed no more than 30 days before travel, is single use and is valid 30 days from the vet's signature. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries need the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, completed by a USDA-accredited vet and USDA-endorsed before the dog leaves the US (at least 28 days after a first vaccine). Page updated 28 April 2026. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: USDA-endorsed export health certificates issued after 31 July 2025 are no longer accepted for re-entry; the CDC certification form is needed instead. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: For high-risk dogs the first rabies vaccine must be given at or after 12 weeks (84 days) of age; earlier vaccines are not accepted. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive by air; only service dogs (14 CFR 382.3) may arrive by sea. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: Foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive at the airport where their CDC-registered facility is. CDC list (updated 1 Sept 2026): Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Seattle (SEA, cargo only), Washington DC (IAD). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
CDC-registered Animal Care Facilities, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: There are no CDC-registered facilities in Alaska, Hawaii or US territories, so foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs cannot enter the US through those places. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries may arrive at any airport, land border or seaport matching the receipt. Applies to US-vaccinated dogs returning from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Arrival points and notice: Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months cannot enter at a land border crossing (Canada or Mexico). Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations, checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: For dogs from high-risk countries the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine, otherwise the vaccine is invalid. Applies to foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries.
Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
One rule for every pet entering the United States decides whether yours can travel at all:
- Minimum age: Every dog must be at least 6 months old on entry or return to the US.
Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026 - Minimum age: Not listed: cats. CDC's cat section requires only that cats appear healthy on arrival (they may be inspected, examined at the owner's cost if ill, or refused if they show a zoonotic disease); rabies vaccination proof is not required. APHIS states it has no animal health requirements for pet cats (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/cats). Neither sets a minimum age; destination states may.
Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering the United States, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our United States guide.
What does the Philippines require before your pet leaves?
- Export permit: BAI is the sole authority that can issue export permits for pet dogs and cats leaving the Philippines. BAI advises exporters to confirm the destination's current rules with that country's veterinary authority. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the Philippines.
International Movements (Export): Pet (Dog/Cat), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: BAI issues the Veterinary Health Certificate or International Veterinary Certificate for exported dogs and cats (Citizen's Charter service 7; processing about 7 hours in person, no fee listed). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the Philippines.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: Export applications need an updated vaccination record: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus for dogs; rabies and feline panleukopenia for cats. An ISO 15-digit microchip number is also required. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the Philippines.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: For the EU, UAE, Japan, Taiwan, Hawaii, Canada, Singapore, Indonesia, Sarawak, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa, a rabies blood test at an approved laboratory must be done three months before movement. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the Philippines for the listed destinations.
Citizen's Charter (3rd Edition), National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, checked 2 October 2026
FAQ
Common questions
CDC lists the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, as an approved rabies serology laboratory. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccine and at least 28 days before your dog enters the US. Without a valid titre, your dog is admitted only after 28 days' quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility.
Philippine Airlines flies to Los Angeles and New York JFK and takes dogs and cats as checked baggage, or as cargo through PAL Cargo. It won't fly snub-nosed dogs or a longer list of named breeds, including Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, apple-head Chihuahuas, Havanese and Rottweilers, on any of its flights. At LAX, CDC says dogs not arriving as cargo must be moved to cargo on arrival and may face clearance delays.
Qatar Airways flies Manila to Los Angeles through Doha, and its published checked-baggage rate for animals on routes not starting or ending in Qatar is USD 350 to USD 450, depending on whether the total weight is up to 32kg or 32kg to 75kg. Prices change with your pet's size and crate, the airline and routing, the season, fuel surcharges and exchange rates. Cathay Pacific connects Manila to Los Angeles through Hong Kong, where a Special Permit from AFCD is needed in advance even for transit, and Cathay Cargo takes direct pet bookings only from approved parties.
A foreign-vaccinated dog from the Philippines must land at the airport of the CDC-registered animal care facility where it has a reservation: Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Philadelphia, Seattle (cargo only) or Washington Dulles. For the JFK facility, the dog must land at JFK itself, not Newark or LaGuardia. There are no CDC-registered facilities in Hawaii or Guam, so a foreign-vaccinated dog can't enter through Honolulu or Guam.
Yes, because APHIS lists the Philippines as a screwworm-affected region. Your dog needs a certificate from a full-time salaried official government vet of the Philippines, issued after a screwworm inspection within 5 days before shipment. BAI is the only authority that can issue export permits for pet dogs and cats leaving the Philippines.
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