SPSIC application, age and vaccination timing, parasite treatment and changes announced for 2027.
Documents and permits
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Before import, obtain BAI’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) and an international veterinary health certificate from the competent authority of the origin country.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Arrival without the required health certificate and SPSIC can lead to seizure, confiscation or refusal of entry. A passenger booking does not replace these documents.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Every dog/cat needs an approved, valid BAI SPSIC before entering the Philippines. Apply through the DA Trade System with vaccination/parasite records, microchip number, actual pet photo and a pet passport only if applicable. BAI lists 11 working days for processing; plan ahead and do not treat that estimate as guaranteed approval.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Personal allowance: up to three identified animals
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
BAI allows an importer a maximum of three dogs/cats per year. The same maximum three animals may be imported more than once in the year if identified by the same microchip numbers. This does not allow three different new animals on every trip.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The pet must be at least four months old at SPSIC application, not merely on arrival. Pregnant dogs/cats at application are not allowed. After giving birth, at least 12 weeks must pass before travel to the Philippines. Confirm fitness with the veterinarian and carrier.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Primary rabies vaccine before the SPSIC application
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For the standard route, a licensed source-country veterinarian vaccinates against rabies at 12 weeks of age or later. After the first vaccination, wait 14 days before applying for SPSIC. A booster within continuous validity has no new 14-day wait; a lapse restarts it. Rabies-free origins still need vaccination. An earlier-than-12-week vaccine has a separate corrective-booster branch.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Keep internal/external treatment valid until arrival
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Give both internal and external parasite treatments and keep them valid through arrival in the Philippines. The current FAQ imposes no wait after treatment before the SPSIC application. Use the product’s validity and actual clearance conditions; do not invent one universal number of days before flight.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Confirm vaccine details against the approved SPSIC
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
The newer BAI FAQ says only rabies is mandatory and recognises a source-country three-year rabies vaccine, while the older NVQS import page lists dog DHLPPi/cat panleukopenia and a one-year rabies limit. Confirm these differences directly with BAI and follow the issued SPSIC; do not use the newer FAQ alone to omit another listed vaccine or assume an older rabies dose is accepted.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Antibody test: current application rule through 2026
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The current BAI FAQ does not require RNATT for applications under the current rule, but announces a change for all SPSIC applications from 1 January 2027. This statement does not exempt rabies vaccination or other clearance conditions. For a later application, check the new detailed requirements before arranging tests.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Rules depend on the route, animal and operating carrier. Confirm your own journey with the relevant authority and airline.
Applicable conditions
BAI announces that all SPSIC applications from 1 January 2027 must comply with antibody-test requirements. The FAQ does not supply the threshold, sampling/waiting window or accepted laboratories. Confirm the implementing instructions with BAI before applying; do not import another destination’s 0.5 IU/ml or 90-day rule into this announcement.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Airline changes: check whether a new permit is needed
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
BAI’s FAQ explicitly requires a new permit if changing airlines during the transit described there. Confirm the full route, handling area and any clearance with BAI before booking; its short-layover wording does not establish a general permit exemption for every connection under 24 hours.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
BAI’s FAQ says an imported dog/cat accumulating at least one year in the Philippines must receive a booster from a locally licensed veterinarian regardless of remaining overseas validity, then annual local rabies vaccination for the remainder of the stay. This is a residence obligation, not permission to use any overseas vaccine for entry.
Personal dog/cat imports under an approved BAI SPSIC, with the animal at least four months old at application. Confirm the actual origin, port, carrier and conditions printed on the clearance. New BAI FAQ and older NVQS guidance differ on other vaccines and rabies validity; seek BAI confirmation of those points.
