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Exit guide

Taking a dog or cat out of the Philippines

Exit rules verifiedChecked 2026-10-12Authority: Bureau of Animal Industry

The steps the authorities in the Philippines require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.

The steps

  1. Vet exam

    Up-to-date vaccination record and vet's health certificate

    A licensed vet keeps your pet's vaccinations current: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus for dogs; rabies and feline panleukopenia for cats. BAI accepts a veterinary health certificate from a duly licensed private vet as part of the application.

    Details and the official words

    “Updated vaccination record against rabies,”

    “parvovirus for dogs; and rabies and feline”

  2. Identification

    ISO 15-digit microchip

    BAI requires an ISO 15-digit non-encrypted microchip and checks the number with a reader before issuing the certificate.

    Details and the official words

    “ISO 15-digit non-encrypted microchip”

  3. Paperwork

    BAI veterinary health certificate (National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, Quezon City)

    Submit the documents in person at BAI's National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City) or by email to nvqsd@bai.gov.ph. BAI reads the microchip, then prepares and approves the veterinary health certificate (or international veterinary certificate) your destination asks for. There is no fee; it takes about 7 hours in person, or about a day and 7 hours by email.

    Details and the official words

    “All exports of dogs and cats shall be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate/”

    “TOTAL if application sent via E-mail None”

Good to know

  • BAI issues the export certificate only with the documents and tests your destination asks for. Its checklist also lists a rabies antibody test report (from the National Meat Inspection Service lab); the charter doesn't say whether BAI asks for it when the destination doesn't, so ask the National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (nvqsd@bai.gov.ph) if your destination needs no titer test.

Where are you taking your pet?

Routes from the Philippines where we cover both sides.