“I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.”
Meet all guides →
Can You Bring a Pet to the Philippines?
Yes, you can import both dogs and cats to the Philippines, but the process is highly regulated by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). The Philippines has strict biosecurity requirements designed to protect local animal populations. This guide walks you through every requirement, deadline, and document you'll need.
Overview of Key Requirements
Before diving into timelines, here's what every pet import to the Philippines requires:
- Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard (must be done before vaccination)
- Rabies vaccination: Minimum age 12 weeks; must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel
- Rabies titer test: Minimum 0.5 IU/ml, conducted at an approved laboratory, at least 30 days after rabies vaccination
- Health certificate: Issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry
- Tapeworm treatment: With Praziquantel, administered 24–120 hours before arrival (must be documented by your vet)
- Import permit: Issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (allow 30 days for processing)
- Quarantine: 30 days in an approved facility (may be waived if all documentation is complete and correct)
- Approved port of entry: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) or Port of Manila
- Breed restrictions: Dogs have breed restrictions; cats do not
Step-by-Step Timeline: Work Backwards from Your Travel Date
4–5 Months Before Departure
Schedule your veterinary appointments. You'll need multiple vet visits, so book early. Confirm your vet is accredited and can issue health certificates endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry.
Check breed restrictions. If you have a dog, verify it's not on the Philippines' restricted breed list. Contact the Bureau of Animal Industry directly if you're unsure about your dog's breed classification.
3–4 Months Before Departure
Microchip your pet. This must be done before any vaccinations. Use an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. Record the microchip number—you'll need it for all subsequent documents.
Start rabies vaccination series. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old. After the first vaccination, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before travel is permitted.
2–3 Months Before Departure
Schedule the rabies titer test. This test must be conducted at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Book your appointment with an approved laboratory. The test must show a minimum antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml.
Apply for the import permit. Contact the Bureau of Animal Industry and submit your application. Allow 30 days for processing. You'll need your pet's microchip number, vaccination records, and intended port of entry.
1–2 Months Before Departure
Obtain the rabies titer test results. Ensure your pet meets the minimum 0.5 IU/ml threshold. If results are below this level, you may need a booster vaccination and another test.
Receive your import permit. Once approved, keep this document safe—you'll need it at the port of entry.
Obtain the health certificate. Schedule an appointment with your accredited veterinarian. The certificate must be issued within a specific timeframe before travel (we're still verifying the exact validity period—check with the Bureau of Animal Industry). The certificate must be endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry.
1–2 Weeks Before Departure
Arrange tapeworm treatment. Schedule this for 24–120 hours before your flight. Your veterinarian will administer Praziquantel and document it on your health certificate. Missing this window could result in denial of entry.
Confirm all documents are in order. Gather originals of:
- Original health certificate (endorsed by Bureau of Animal Industry)
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Rabies titer test results
- Import permit
- Tapeworm treatment documentation
- Microchip registration proof
Book quarantine facility (if needed). If your documentation is incomplete, you'll need to arrange a 30-day quarantine at an approved facility. However, with full compliance, quarantine can typically be waived.
Day of Travel
Arrive at your approved port of entry. You can only enter through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) or Port of Manila. Your pet will undergo veterinary inspection at the port.
Present all documents. Have originals ready for inspection. Copies alone will not be accepted.
Documents Checklist
Print and use this checklist to ensure nothing is missed:
- ☐ Original health certificate (issued by accredited vet, endorsed by Bureau of Animal Industry)
- ☐ Rabies vaccination certificate (showing date, vaccine name, and vet signature)
- ☐ Rabies titer test results (minimum 0.5 IU/ml from approved laboratory)
- ☐ Import permit (issued by Bureau of Animal Industry)
- ☐ Tapeworm treatment documentation (showing date, drug name, dose, and vet signature)
- ☐ Microchip registration certificate (showing ISO 11784/11785 standard)
- ☐ Proof of pet ownership or vaccination records from country of origin
- ☐ Airline pet travel documentation (if flying)
Quarantine: What You Need to Know
The Philippines requires a 30-day quarantine in an approved facility upon arrival. However, this requirement is reducible to zero days if all your documentation is complete, correct, and properly endorsed.
To avoid quarantine:
- Ensure the health certificate is originally endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (not just signed by your vet)
- Provide proof of rabies titer test results meeting the 0.5 IU/ml minimum
- Document tapeworm treatment within the correct 24–120 hour window
- Present the import permit at the port
If quarantine is required, costs and facility options are we're still verifying—contact the Bureau of Animal Industry for current approved facilities and pricing.
Breed Restrictions for Dogs
The Philippines has breed restrictions for dogs. Specific banned or restricted breeds are we're still verifying. Contact the Bureau of Animal Industry before importing to confirm your dog's breed is permitted. Cats have no breed restrictions.
Ports of Entry
Your pet can only enter the Philippines through:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) – Manila
- Port of Manila
All pets undergo veterinary inspection at the port of entry. Plan to arrive with extra time for this process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Vaccinating before microchipping: The microchip must be implanted first. Vaccinating before microchipping can delay your entire timeline.
- Waiting less than 21 days after rabies vaccination: Your pet cannot travel until 21 days have passed. Plan accordingly.
- Conducting the titer test too soon: The test must be at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Testing earlier may result in invalid results.
- Missing the tapeworm treatment window: Treatment must occur 24–120 hours before arrival. Administering it outside this window may result in denial of entry.
- Using unendorsed health certificates: The certificate must be originally endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry, not just signed by your veterinarian.
- Applying for the import permit too late: Allow at least 30 days for processing. Applying one week before travel will likely result in delays.
- Forgetting to bring originals: Photocopies are not accepted. Bring all original documents to the port of entry.
- Not confirming breed restrictions: If you have a dog, verify its breed is permitted before booking your flight.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Import
- Start early: The entire process takes 4–5 months. Don't rush.
- Use a pet relocation service: If you're overwhelmed, professional pet movers can handle much of the paperwork and coordination.
- Keep digital copies: Scan all documents and email them to yourself as backup.
- Contact the Bureau of Animal Industry early: If you have questions about breed restrictions, approved laboratories, or specific requirements, reach out before you book your flight.
- Confirm airline pet policies: Different airlines have different rules for pet travel. Check with your carrier about crate requirements, fees, and health documentation they need.
- Plan for post-arrival care: Even if quarantine is waived, your pet may be stressed from travel. Have a veterinarian lined up in the Philippines for a post-arrival check-up.
What We're Still Verifying
The following details are we're still verifying—contact the Bureau of Animal Industry directly for current information:
- Specific banned or restricted dog breeds
- Health certificate validity period
- Approved rabies titer test laboratories
- Approved quarantine facilities and costs
- Tapeworm treatment requirements for cats (confirmed for dogs)
- Other vaccination requirements (distemper, parvovirus, etc.)
- Flea and tick treatment requirements
Contact Information
Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) – The primary authority for pet imports to the Philippines. Contact them for permit applications, breed verification, and current regulatory updates.
Requirements are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Bureau of Animal Industry or your country's Philippine embassy or consulate before making travel plans.
Ready to bring your pet home? Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you don't miss a single requirement.
This guide is based on verified data extracted from official Philippine government sources and international pet import standards. Data last verified April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the Bureau of Animal Industry before traveling.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 23, 2026