Back in July, I got a message from reader HippoFoxy Pomeranian (a nom de plume for two Pomeranians and their mom), saying they were planning a trip to the Philippines, and could I help them figure out the import requirements for in-cabin dogs. Well, I didn’t. I thought I did — I pointed them to the USDA/APHIS site (normally the best resource for current international rules and regs) and its link to the Philippines — but I didn’t click all the way through, and so I didn’t find out until just now that it lists rules for the importation of cattle, swine, horses, sheep and goats, but not for dogs.

Thank heavens HippoFoxy is a resourceful team, because the next thing I heard was that they’d “e-mailed the [Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture] Bureau of Animal Industry and [were] able to obtain instructions for bringing pets to the Philippines including the current fees.”

They kindly sent me the forms and instructions they’d received, so future travelers to the Philippines would have an easier time of it, and here they are. Quick recap: Two Pomeranians, traveling in-cabin from LAX to Davao International Airport (airport code DVO; also called Francisco Bangoy International Airport) for a 3-week stay in the Philippines.

Sir/Madame:

Attached is our service guide [Dogs, Cats, Exotic, Hogs, Horses (PDF)] wherein you can find the requirements on how to import pets to the Philippines and also the application form [Application Form to Import Pets to the Phils. (PDF)]. You may send this application after filling up the information  to this email address [[email protected]]. And as soon as we have process your application we will scan the original copy of the import permit and email to you an advance copy.

Permit is good for two months; it may be extended for another month if the animals have not yet arrived. Issuance of VQC to Import  is P100.00 and Inspection and Landing fee is P250.00 for first 2 hds. and P300.00 for each excess. Payments will be made upon arrival at the Port of entry.

Applications to import pet animals shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. That the animals should be accompanied by a health certificate issued shortly before shipment by the proper veterinary authority of the country of origin stating that the animals have been carefully examined and found to be free from and have not been exposed to dangerous communicable animal diseases;
2. 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;
3. That the animals should be accompanied by a valid vaccination certificate against rabies, canine, distemper, infectious hepatitis leptospirosis, canine parvovirus or feline panleucopenia. For countries considered to be free from rabies, vaccination could be waived;
4. That the animals were treated for internal and external parasites;
5. If the animal arrived unaccompanied by said health and vaccination certificates or are showing signs of dangerous communicable animal disease, they must be quarantined and/or disposed of without compensation at the discretion of the Director of Animal Industry;

Note:

We are now accepting online application.  You may browse this link: http://www.bai.ph

Thank you.

National Veterinary Quarantine Services
Bureau of Animal Industry
Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel. No. (632) 920-0816
Fax No. (632) 920-0815

Thank you so much, HippoFoxy, for your patience and restraint (in not pointing out that my “answer” wasn’t the slightest bit helpful), for your resourcefulness, and for your generosity in sharing this information with other travelers with pets! This is yet another example of how Dog Jaunt’s readers keep this blog afloat.