The Philippines requires an SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for all pet imports. Dogs and cats must be at least 120 days old with rabies vaccination given at least 14 days before applying. Up to 3 pets can be listed on one SPSIC. A 30-day home quarantine applies even when all documentation is in order.
Companies Listed
4
Quarantine
Yes (30 days)
Common Pets
dogs, cats
Requirements
8 documented
Key Import Requirements
SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) from BAI required (valid 2 months)
Dogs and cats must be at least 120 days old at time of SPSIC application
Rabies vaccination at least 14 days before SPSIC application
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment records required
Health certificate dated within 30 days of arrival
30-day home quarantine required even with complete documentation
Import requirements by pet type
Requirements for relocating a pet to Philippines vary significantly by species. Below are the rules for birds, horses, and exotic pets — dogs and cats are covered in the key requirements above.
Birds
Import permitted
Pet birds can enter the Philippines if they do not originate from a country (or area) with confirmed avian influenza. You must secure a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Animal Industry before shipment, plus a government-endorsed international veterinary health certificate and CITES permits for protected species such as parrots.
Apply for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) before the birds are shipped
Birds must not originate from any country or area with confirmed Avian Influenza detections in poultry, as defined by WOAH (the Philippines bans birds from HPAI-affected origins)
International veterinary health certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin
Each adult bird must carry identification consistent with the health certificate
CITES permit for protected species (most parrots, macaws, cockatoos are CITES-listed)
Pass veterinary quarantine inspection by a BAI Veterinary Quarantine Officer at the port of entry
BAI guidance does not publish a fixed home-quarantine day-count or microchip rule for pet birds; arriving birds are inspected and may be held by the Veterinary Quarantine Officer. The avian-influenza restriction is origin-based (WOAH HPAI status), not a blanket ban. Confirm current SPSIC conditions, fees, and any quarantine directly with BAI before travel.
Horses
Import permitted
Horses can be imported into the Philippines under a Bureau of Animal Industry import permit governed by Administrative Order No. 7. After approval, a health certificate issued shortly before shipment is presented on arrival, the horse is inspected for a landing permit, then held in a 30-day quarantine with periodic serological testing under BAI supervision.
Apply for an import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI); permits are valid 6 months from issue or to the last day of the calendar year, whichever comes earlier
Valid veterinary health certificate issued shortly before shipment, presented on arrival at the port of entry
On-arrival inspection by a BAI veterinary quarantine officer to obtain a landing permit
30-day quarantine after arrival under a BAI-deputized Veterinary Quarantine Officer
Animals subject to periodic inspection and serological testing during quarantine and may not be removed from the quarantine site
Comply with all conditions specified on the import permit (DA Administrative Order No. 7)
DA Administrative Order No. 7 sets the 30-day post-arrival quarantine and periodic serological testing (importer bears testing costs); the AO text does not enumerate the specific disease panel, which is set on the import permit. Confirm the current testing protocol and fees with BAI before shipping.
Reptiles
Generally not permitted
Importing reptiles into the Philippines is legally possible but impractical for most private owners. It requires parallel approvals from both DENR (wildlife/CITES import permit via the Biodiversity Management Bureau) and BAI (veterinary clearance), and a frequent catch-22 between origin-country export permits and the Philippine import permit can stall the process for weeks or months.
Obtain a CITES or non-CITES wildlife import permit from DENR (Biodiversity Management Bureau) before importation; not available for species banned or CITES Appendix-restricted
Parallel-file with BAI for veterinary clearance for land vertebrates
DENR inspection of the wildlife (within about 3 days of application) and an approved holding site
Documents proving legal acquisition plus an export permit and veterinary/phytosanitary health certificate from the country of origin
Secure a CITES Non-Detriment Finding for Appendix I-II species where applicable
Comply with BAI-approved captive-care standards for the species
Marked not effectively allowed because the dual DENR/BAI process, the export-vs-import permit catch-22, and CITES processing make private reptile relocation impractical. Endangered/CITES-listed species may be refused outright. DENR permit validity and exact timelines are set per application and were not confirmed against a single official figure. This is a procedural assessment, not a hard legal ban on all reptiles; verify your specific species with DENR (BMB) and BAI.
Pet-type requirements researched and last updated June 2026. Always confirm current rules with the destination’s government authority before booking — regulations change frequently.
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