Pet Import Requirements: Philippines | Dogs & Cats

TLDR: Dogs and cats entering the Philippines need a required ISO-compliant microchip, a full vaccine set including Canine Parainfluenza, and an SPSIC import permit applied for online before travel. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure, and antiparasitic treatment is timed to the SPSIC application, not the flight date. There's no quarantine for pets arriving with complete documentation.

The Philippines is one of the more manageable Southeast Asia destinations for pet relocation, but getting the sequence right matters: several requirements are timed against your SPSIC application date, not your travel date. Here's exactly what your dog or cat needs.

Microchip

An ISO-compliant microchip is required, not optional. It's a listed SPSIC document, and pets without the required ISO microchip identification can be refused entry and returned at the owner's cost. The microchip number must appear consistently across every document.

If your pet's microchip isn't ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you'll need to bring a compatible scanner, since a non-ISO chip alone isn't sufficient.

Minimum Age

Your pet must be at least 120 days (4 months) old at the time of the SPSIC application. The minimum age for the rabies vaccination is 84 days (12 weeks), and it must be given at least 14 days before the SPSIC application. If your pet was vaccinated earlier than that, a booster is needed first.

Vaccinations

Every pet needs original rabies and vaccine certificates. Vaccines must be given at least 14 days before the SPSIC application.

Dogs need: Rabies, Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis.

Cats need: Rabies, Feline Panleukopenia, Viral Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus.

The certificate must include microchip details, pet details (breed, color, markings, date of birth, sex, age), date of inoculation and validity period, and for the rabies vaccine specifically, the serial/lot number, product, and manufacturer.

Antiparasitic Treatment

Internal and external antiparasitic treatment must be administered no more than 91 days and no less than 7 days before the SPSIC application. This is timed against the SPSIC application date, not your pet's departure date.

Health Certificate

Your USDA-accredited veterinarian issues the official health certificate (APHIS Form 7001) within 10 calendar days before departure. It must state there have been no reported cases of rabies within a 20-kilometer radius of the pet owner's home in the last six months.

The following documents must be sent to your local USDA office for endorsement:

• A valid copy of the import permit (SPSIC)
• Original Form 7001, filled out within 10 days before departure
• Rabies and vaccination certificate

SPSIC Import Permit

Every pet entering the Philippines needs an SPSIC (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance) from the Bureau of Animal Industry, secured before travel. Apply online through the BAI's Intercommerce system.

Personal pet owners apply as one-time importers. Up to 3 animals can be listed on a single permit, and the permit is valid for 60 days from the date of approval.

Document Matching

The consignee/consignor name and all vaccination details on the health certificate must match the SPSIC exactly. The microchip number must be consistent across every document, the health certificate, the SPSIC, and the vaccination records.

Pregnancy

Pregnant pets are refused at the time of SPSIC application. If your pet has already given birth, she and the litter can clear only if the birth occurred at least 12 weeks before travel, with a veterinarian certifying both the dam and litter are fit to travel.

Fees

Fees are paid on arrival:

• SPS Import Clearance: ₱100
• SPS Lodgement: ₱55
• Inspection: ₱250 per head for the first 2 pets, ₱300 per head for each additional pet

Quarantine

There's no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving with complete, compliant documentation.

How PetRelocation Can Help

The Philippines' process is predictable once you know the sequence, but several requirements are timed against your SPSIC application date rather than your travel date, which is where cases most often go off track. PetRelocation has coordinated Philippines moves for over 20 years and works directly with the Bureau of Animal Industry to keep every document aligned.

Complete Support covers full coordination of your pet's vaccination schedule, SPSIC application, and health certificate endorsement. Vet Paperwork Support focuses on the health certificate and vaccination documentation while you manage the SPSIC application yourself. Consultation gives you direct access to a coordinator to confirm your pet's timeline before you commit to travel dates.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a microchip required to bring my pet to the Philippines?
Yes. An ISO-compliant microchip is required, not optional, and is a listed SPSIC document. Pets without the required microchip identification can be refused entry and returned at the owner's cost.

What vaccines does my dog need for the Philippines?
Rabies, Canine Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis, each given at least 14 days before the SPSIC application.

When does antiparasitic treatment need to happen?
No more than 91 days and no less than 7 days before your SPSIC application, not before your flight.

How long is the SPSIC permit valid?
60 days from the date of approval. Up to 3 animals can be listed on a single permit.

Will my pet need to be quarantined in the Philippines?
No, provided your pet arrives with complete and compliant documentation.