Dog or cat from Serbia to the Philippines: the rules

1. Get ready

   1. IdentificationEntering the Philippines

      Microchip (the number is part of the SPSIC application)

      Your pet's microchip number is part of the import clearance (SPSIC) application.

      Details and the official words

      “Information of the dog/cat such as vaccination and antiparasitic records, microchip number, actual photo of the dog/cat, and pet passport if applicable.”

      “Proof of Microchip Numbers”

   2. VaccinationEntering the Philippines

      Rabies vaccination by a licensed vet, at 12 weeks or older

      A licensed vet in your pet's country vaccinates it against rabies when it is at least 12 weeks old (a pet vaccinated younger needs a booster before you apply for the SPSIC). Rabies is the only vaccination the Philippines requires. After a first vaccination you wait 14 days before applying for the SPSIC; BAI accepts a vaccine with 3-year validity.

      Details and the official words

      “The rabies vaccination should be administered by a licensed veterinarian of the source country.”

      “The dog or cat should be at least 12 weeks of age at the time of rabies vaccination; or the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies earlier than 12 weeks of age shall be given a booster shot with owner’s consent before applying for SPSIC.”

      “No, the Philippines only requires the dog or cat to be vaccinated against Rabies.”

   3. PermitEntering the Philippines

      SPS Import Clearance (SPSIC) from BAI, applied for online

      Every dog and cat needs an approved SPSIC from BAI before it enters the Philippines. Apply online through the DA Trade System (intercommerce.com.ph) once your pet is at least 4 months old, and at least 14 days after a first rabies vaccination. You give the vaccination and parasite-treatment records, the microchip number, a photo of the pet and the pet passport if it has one; the Citizen's Charter also lists a BIR-issued ID with a tax number and a notarized affidavit of undertaking (Annex A for Filipinos, Annex C for foreigners). BAI processes it in 11 working days.

      Details and the official words

      BAI's page doesn't say how long an approved SPSIC stays valid: check the dates on yours.

      “Yes, all dogs and cats need an approved and valid SPSIC issued by BAI before entering the Philippines.”

      “The SPSIC can be secured online through DA Trade System”

      “The application takes 11 working days to be processed from the date of submission, evaluation, endorsement, and approval.”

      “The dog or cat should be at least 4 months of age at the time of the SPSIC application.”

      “If the dog or cat will receive its first or initial Rabies vaccination, the importer should wait 14 days after the date of initial vaccination before they can apply for SPS Import clearance to ensure that the dog or cat did not have any adverse reaction from the vaccine.”

      “Acquiring SPS Import Permit is a requirement before any dog or cat can enter into the Philippines.”

2. In the days before you travel

   1. Vet examLeaving Serbia

      Health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old

      A veterinary station or practice confirms your pet's health (уверење о здравственом стању). For a pet, this confirmation must be no more than 48 hours old when the veterinary inspection issues the export certificate.

      Details and the official words

      “Уверење о здравственом стању животиња”

      “Документ стар не више од 10 дана, а за кућне љубимце потврда не старија од 48 часова”

   2. TreatmentEntering the Philippines

      Internal and external parasite treatment still valid on arrival

      Your pet's internal and external parasite treatment must still be valid when it arrives in the Philippines. BAI says no 'updated' treatment is needed and there's no wait before applying for the SPSIC; how long a treatment stays valid depends on the product, so ask your vet.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      BAI's answer starts 'No, your dog/cat does not need an updated parasite treatment' and then says the treatment 'should be valid until the arrival'. We show the treatment so that it is valid on arrival; ask BAI if you're unsure what that means for your pet.

      “No, your dog/cat does not need an updated parasite treatment and you do not need to wait to apply for SPSIC.”

      “However, the internal and external parasite treatment should be valid until the arrival in the Philippines.”

   3. Official stampLeaving Serbia

      Export certificate from a Serbian veterinary inspector

      Send the request for an export certificate for live animals to the Veterinary Directorate's veterinary inspection (also by email to vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs) with the vet's health confirmation, the pet passport, the antibody test report and the import permit if your destination asks for them, and proof that you paid the two administrative taxes (420 + 9,160 = 9,580 dinars, one payment possible). As a pet owner you don't need an approved export establishment or a disinfection certificate for the vehicle. A Serbian veterinary inspector issues the certificate.

      Details and the official words

      The form gives the inspection up to 30 days from the request to decide, and treats a request as incomplete if missing documents aren't sent within 8 days. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply: ask the veterinary inspection, and allow for the 48-hour limit on the vet's health confirmation.

      “За некомерцијално кретање кућних љубимаца неопходан је ветеринарски сертификат који издаје надлежни ветеринарски инспектор Републике Србије.”

      “ЗАХТЕВ ЗА ИЗДАВАЊЕ СЕРТИФИКАТA ЗА ИЗВОЗ ЖИВИХ ЖИВОТИЊА”

      “Не достављају држаоци спортских коња, голубова, паса, мачака, птица кућних љубимаца, зечева и пчела”

      “Није потребно за извоз кућних љубимаца”

      “Само када је то захтев земље у коју се отпремају животиње”

      “vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs”

      “Рок за решавање поднетог захтева 30 дана од покретања поступка”

      “420,00 РСД”

      “Такса се плаћа заједно и за захтев и за издавање сертификата”

3. Travel day and arrival

   1. CheckLeaving Serbia

      Pet passport (original)

      Bring your dog's or cat's original pet passport, issued by a veterinary station, with the request. The microchip and a valid rabies vaccination remain required for travel to the EU.

      Details and the official words

      “Пасош за животиње”

      “За говеда, коње, псе и мачке”

      “Животиња мора бити трајно обележена микрочипом који испуњава прописане стандарде.”

The trip back asks for 5 steps: microchip, before the rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry, unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before and serbian model health certificate, valid 10 days and more.