Planning a pet relocation from United States to Philippines is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Plan for approximately 36-44 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United States to Philippines
typically takes around 36-44 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United States to Philippines import process
01
Start of planning.
Confirm ISO microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination. Pet must be at least 120 days old.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
02
8+ months before travel.
Rabies vaccination. At least 14 days before SPSIC application and at least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Responsible: USDA vet
03
Blood draw date determines earliest Philippines entry.
Titre test blood draw at an accepted laboratory. 180-day waiting period starts from this date.
Responsible: Accepted laboratory
04
After titre test result confirmed. Allow 4-6 weeks.
Apply for BAI SPSIC online at bai.gov.ph. Attach microchip, vaccination, and titre test records.
Responsible: Owner or agent
05
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo with Philippine Airlines, United, or Cathay Pacific.
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
Within 10 days.
USDA-accredited vet issues BAI-format health certificate within 10 days of Philippines arrival. APHIS endorsement. Original only.
Responsible: USDA vet + APHIS
07
Travel day.
Pet arrives at Manila. BAI inspection. 30-day quarantine begins.
Responsible: BAI quarantine facility
Requirements
Philippines entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Primary vaccination at least 14 days before SPSIC application and at least 30 days before titre test blood draw. Current valid vaccination at time of travel.
Rabies titre test
FAVN or RFFIT titre test required (minimum 0.5 IU/ml). Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 180-day waiting period from the blood draw date before Philippines entry.
Quarantine
30-day mandatory quarantine at a BAI-accredited quarantine facility. Owner-paid.
Import permit
BAI Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) required before travel. Apply online at bai.gov.ph. Pet must be at least 120 days old at time of application. Allow 4-6 weeks processing.
Health certificate
USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate in BAI-compatible format. Original with USDA stamp. No photocopies or electronic versions accepted. Issued within 10 days of Philippines arrival.
Leaving United States
Export requirements
Health certificate
USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet. Original with USDA stamp. Compatible with BAI Philippines requirements. Issued within 10 days of Philippines arrival.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Titre test (USA)
USDA-accredited vet + APHIS endorsement
BAI SPSIC application
IATA-compliant crate
Cargo fee: US hub to MNL
BAI 30-day quarantine (owner-paid)
Agent fee
Critical points
The 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw is the key constraint. Start at least 9-10 months before your target Philippines entry date.
The BAI SPSIC must be approved before booking cargo. Do not confirm flights until SPSIC approval is in hand.
Maximum 3 animals per import per owner per year. If moving more than 3 pets, contact the BAI directly.
The health certificate must be the original USDA-stamped document. Copies and electronic versions are rejected by BAI.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines Cargo from US cities to Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL). Direct MNL-LAX service and connections from other US hubs. Flag carrier and primary choice for US-Philippines pet moves.
Cargo Only
United Airlines
United PetSafe cargo from US hubs to MNL via Pacific connections. Confirm routing and live animal availability.
Cargo Only
Delta
Delta Cargo from US hubs to MNL via Pacific gateways. Confirm specific routing and live animal space.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via HKG. US cities to MNL via Hong Kong. Strong live animal handling at HKG. Good frequency on the HKG-MNL leg.
Cargo Only
Philippines import rules, explained
Philippines runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow 36-44 weeks minimum. The 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw is the dominant constraint. Add vaccination timing (at least 14 days before SPSIC application, at least 30 days before blood draw), SPSIC processing (4-6 weeks), and 30-day quarantine on arrival, and a 10-month total plan is realistic for most moves.
No. The 30-day BAI quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats arriving in the Philippines from international origins. There is no waiver and the period cannot be shortened.
The SPSIC (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance) is the Philippines import permit for live animals. Apply through the BAI online portal at bai.gov.ph. Upload your pet’s microchip details, vaccination records, titre test result, and travel plans. The BAI issues a clearance number that must appear on your USDA-APHIS health certificate.
Yes. The BAI limits imports to a maximum of 3 animals per owner per year. If you have more than 3 pets, the excess animals cannot be included in the same import. Contact the BAI directly if your situation involves more animals.
Philippine Airlines operates a direct Los Angeles to Manila cargo route, which is the most convenient option. From other US cities, Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong serves Manila with good frequency and strong live animal handling at Hong Kong. United and Delta also have Pacific connections to Manila.
Airline guides
Philippine Airlines
United Airlines
Delta
Cathay Pacific
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.