Who issues the rules
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an agency of the Department of Agriculture, controls live-animal imports through the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) system. Applications are filed online via the IntercommerceDA portal [1] [2].
Species
Dogs and cats only under the standard SPSIC procedure. You can import a maximum of three animals in a single SPSIC filing. The Philippines is high-risk for canine rabies according to the US CDC [2] [3].
Microchip
You need ISO-compatible microchip identification. Effective 1 June 2018, BAI refuses entry to animals arriving without a readable microchip and returns them to origin at owner's cost. If the chip is not ISO 11784/11785 the owner must travel with a compatible reader [1] [2].
Rabies vaccination
The animal must be at least 84 days old at the time of the initial rabies vaccination, and the vaccination must be administered at least 14 days before SPSIC application (effectively at least 14 days before travel). You can administer annual boosters immediately before travel; the 14-day wait applies only to a first-ever rabies shot. For imports from a small list of formally rabies-free countries (Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, UK and others where BAI accepts attestation), BAI can waive rabies vaccination if the export certificate explicitly states this [1] [2].
Rabies antibody titer
The Philippines does not require a FAVN or RFFIT titer for entry. Arrange one only if you plan onward travel to rabies-free countries [1].
Other vaccinations
Dogs: canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis, at least one dose administered at least 14 days before SPSIC application. Cats: feline panleukopenia, viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus, also at least 14 days before SPSIC application [1] [2].
Age limit
You cannot import animals younger than 120 days at the time of SPSIC application. Effectively the youngest practical travel age is 4 months [1].
Paperwork
1. SPSIC application via the IntercommerceDA portal, with the vaccination record, microchip certificate, photo of the animal and the draft export health certificate. The SPSIC is valid 60 days from issuance [2] [1]. 2. International health certificate or export pet veterinary health certificate (EP/IVHC) issued within 10 calendar days of departure by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary authority. EU departures use the TRACES INTRA certificate; US departures use USDA APHIS endorsement; UK departures use DEFRA endorsement [2] [4]. 3. Antiparasitic record (internal and external parasites), recent photo of the animal and a copy of the owner's passport [2].
Quarantine
No facility quarantine if paperwork is complete and the animal is clinically healthy. On arrival, BAI veterinary quarantine officers at the airport release the animal the same day after paperwork inspection and a brief physical check. BAI quarantines animals with missing paperwork or signs of disease at owner's cost [2].
Banned or restricted breeds
The Philippines does not maintain a national banned-breeds list for import. The IATA CR82 reinforced-container requirement still applies at the airline level to fighting breeds (Pit Bull Terrier and variants, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Perro de Presa Canario, Cane Corso). Some local government units (Quezon City, parts of Manila) regulate ownership of certain breeds, but those rules do not block entry [5].
Approved arrival airports
The two practical entry points are Ninoy Aquino International (MNL, Manila) and Mactan-Cebu International (CEB). Clark (CRK) and Davao (DVO) are less common and have fewer BAI agents available. SPSIC must name the port of entry; rerouting requires a new SPSIC [2].
Estimated cost in EUR
Indicative all-in budget for one medium dog (15 to 25 kg) flown from western Europe in cargo, including IATA crate, EU TRACES export certificate, airline cargo fee, origin broker, BAI SPSIC and inspection fees (PHP 100 clearance, PHP 55 lodgement, PHP 250 per head for the first two, PHP 300 per head thereafter), and Manila arrival handling: roughly 1,800 to 3,000 EUR. Cats: 500 to 1,000 EUR. BAI fees themselves are negligible in EUR; the dominant lines are airline cargo and the EU government endorsement [2] [5].
Timing
Minimum 6 to 8 weeks. The 14-day rule for first rabies vaccination and 14-day wait on the other core vaccines drives the floor. The SPSIC is filed once paperwork is in hand and is usually issued within 5 to 10 working days. The 10-day health-certificate window is then aligned to the flight. If a FAVN titer is being arranged for onward travel out of the Philippines, plan 12 to 16 weeks instead [1] [2].