To bring your pet into the Philippines from abroad, you need to secure an Import Certificate, which you can do online via:
https://www.intercommerce.com.ph/registrationbai.asp
We have attached a link for the pdf guide on registering and applying on Intercommerce for your reference.
The requirements for a one-time importer can be found in the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Memorandum Circular No. 43 series of 2020, but we have also listed them below for your easy reference:
- Proof of MICROCHIP NUMBER of the subject dog/s and/or cat/s
- VACCINATION and DEWORMING RECORDS of the subject dog/s and/or cat/s (front page and inside page with updated vaccination and deworming
- PHOTOGRAPH/S of the subject dog/s and/or cat/s
- PET PASSPORT (personal details of the subject dog/s and/or cat/s)
Applications to import pet animals shall be subject to the following conditions:
- That the animals should be accompanied by a health certificate written in English or have a certified English translation, issued shortly before shipment by the proper veterinary authority of the country of origin.
- That in countries not considered free of rabies, an additional certification is required to the effect that there are no cases or rabies within a twenty (20) kilometer radius from the point of origin during the last six (6) months;
- That the animals should be accompanied by a valid vaccination certificate against (FOR DOGS) rabies, canine, distemper, infectious hepatitis leptospirosis, canine parvovirus; (FOR CATS) rabies and feline panleukopenia. Vaccinations should be updated and have been administered at a minimum or at least 14 days before travel.
- That the animals were treated for internal and external parasites;
- If the animal arrived without the accompanying valid health and vaccination certificates for the identified diseases and internal and external parasite or are showing signs of dangerous communicable animal disease, they must be quarantined and/or disposed of at the expense of the owner/importer at the discretion of the Director of Animal Industry;
- Only dogs and cats that are four months old and above at the time of SPSIC application are allowed to be imported into the Philippines;
- Dogs/cats should d be vaccinated against rabies at minimum age of 12 weeks of age; OR Dogs/cats vaccinated against rabies earlier than 12 weeks of age shall be given a booster shot with owners consent before applying for SPS Import Clearance.
- The maximum number of heads for one-time importation and of the 60-day validity period of the import permit.
Note During Application:
- First Time/One Time Importers: imports a maximum of 3 animals once a year, OR imports a maximum of 3 animals, more than once a year provided that the same animals identified through its microchip are imported
- Commercial Importers: A Certificate of Accreditation (as Live Animal Importer) is required for importers of dogs/cats for regular, commercial purposes such as breeding, kennel, exhibit, pet transport or reseller.
- The Notarized affidavit of the undertaking and BIR TIN ID are no longer required for submission to support your application.
- Kindly make sure that the files are in PDF or JPG format and that each file is less than 5MB.
Once you have secured an import permit, you may present it to the Veterinary Authority in the country of origin so that they may issue you an Export permit. We suggest contacting the country of origin of the pet as well and inquire if they have additional requirements and/or fees for this transaction.
The payment for the import permit can be done upon arrival at the Veterinary Quarantine office in the airport. Provided you have all the required documents and pass the inspection, the animal/s can be released the same day. Please see below for the fees to be settled upon arrival in the Philippines:
- SPS Import Clearance Fee – P100.00
- Inspection Fee – First two heads P250.00 (In excess of 2 heads P300.00/head)
- SPS Lodgement Fee – P55.00
Contact Information regarding Pet Importation:
Bureau of Animal Industry
National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division
Telephone no.: 8528-2240 local 1300 / 1305 / 1308 (SPS Issuance concerns)
Email: nvqsd.las@bai.gov.ph
