Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Türkiye → the Philippines
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering the Philippines publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. This follows the Bureau of Animal Industry's pet page as rewritten in October 2026 (13 questions and answers) and its Citizen's Charter. The page no longer says which veterinary certificate must travel with your pet, what you show and pay on arrival, or what the antibody titer test required from 1 January 2027 involves, and the circular behind the rules (BAI Memorandum Circular 43 of 2020) is on a site that returns an error. Ask BAI (nvqsd@bai.gov.ph) before you travel.
How early to start
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
2 weeks
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Headlines for the Philippines
- Import permit needed
- Some origins not allowed
What your dog needs
Dogs
Bringing a dog or cat into the Philippines: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Identification
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
Microchip, PETVET registration and pet passport: A pet living in Türkiye must be microchipped, registered in the national pet register (PETVET) and have a Turkish pet passport. A pet that came from abroad keeps its existing microchip number and passport if they meet international standards.
“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”
“kimliklendirilmiş ve Ev Hayvanı Kayıt Sistemi (PETVET)’nde kayıt altına alınarak”
“düzenlenmişse, mevcut mikroçip numaraları ve pasaportları ile işlemlerine devam eder.”
Vaccination
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.”
Treatment
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.”
Permit
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.”
Paperwork
Veterinary health certificate from the Provincial or District Directorate of Agriculture (within 48 hours of departure)
An official vet at the Provincial or District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry where you live issues the veterinary health certificate, on the model agreed with your destination, no earlier than 48 hours before you leave. Bring the application letter, the pet passport and the lab report if the destination needs one. No dog or cat may leave without it.
Details and the official words
“erken çıkışa 48 saat kala veteriner sağlık sertifikası düzenlenir.”
“sahip olmayan hiçbir kedi ve köpek yurt dışına çıkarılamaz.”
Good to know
- An importer may bring at most 3 animals a year, or the same 3 animals (identified by their microchip numbers) more than once a year.
- From 1 January 2027 every SPSIC application must meet antibody titer (rabies blood test) requirements. BAI hasn't published what they are (laboratory, minimum result, waiting time). If you will apply on or after 1 January 2027, ask BAI now: blood tests can take weeks or months to plan.
- BAI's rewritten pet page no longer says which veterinary certificate must travel with your pet, or what you show and pay on arrival. Until 12 October 2026 it asked for the original export permit / international veterinary health certificate (EP/IVHC) from the exporting country's veterinary authority, shown with printed copies of the approved SPSIC to the BAI quarantine officer at the airport, and listed the fees. Ask BAI (nvqsd@bai.gov.ph) and your own country's export authority what is needed now.
- A dog or cat that is pregnant when you apply for the SPSIC is not allowed, and one that has given birth must have done so at least 12 weeks before travel.
- After an annual booster BAI applies no waiting period if the booster was given 'within 7 days of the validity of the vaccine'; otherwise the 14-day wait applies. The wording is unclear (before or after the old vaccination expired?), so if your pet's booster wasn't on time, ask BAI.
- BAI may waive the rabies vaccination for pets from countries with an official self-declaration of freedom from rabies, or where rabies has never been reported, in their official report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). We don't hold that list, so the plan always shows the vaccination: ask BAI if this applies to your pet's country.
- BAI accepts a rabies vaccine with 3-year validity from the pet's home country. Once the pet has spent a total of 1 year in the Philippines it needs a booster from a licensed vet there, then the local annual (12-month) vaccination for as long as it stays.
- Türkiye asks for a rabies antibody (FAVN) test report only when your destination requires one, but the ministry won't issue the certificate without knowing what the destination asks for. Samples are sent to the Etlik institute in Ankara (VKMAEM) at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; while vaccination continues on schedule, the report stays valid for the pet's life.
- Kangal, Akbaş and Kars shepherd dogs, the Çatal Burun hunting dog, the Zağar İnci dog, the Ankara (Turkish Angora) cat and the Van cat are protected breeds: they need prior permission to leave Türkiye. Whatever the passport says, the official vet checks that your pet isn't one of them.
- The pet's passport must state its breed and colour exactly. If it only says 'mix' for breed or colour, the passport must be corrected (to the closest breed and colour) before the pet can leave.
- A registered dog of a breed Türkiye lists as dangerous may leave with its owner if the destination accepts it, but it will not be allowed back into Türkiye.
- If the pet doesn't travel within 5 days before or after its owner (or someone the owner authorised), or goes by cargo company, Türkiye treats it as a commercial movement with a commercial certificate.
What your cat needs
Cats
Bringing a dog or cat into the Philippines: we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.
Identification
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
Microchip, PETVET registration and pet passport: A pet living in Türkiye must be microchipped, registered in the national pet register (PETVET) and have a Turkish pet passport. A pet that came from abroad keeps its existing microchip number and passport if they meet international standards.
“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”
“kimliklendirilmiş ve Ev Hayvanı Kayıt Sistemi (PETVET)’nde kayıt altına alınarak”
“düzenlenmişse, mevcut mikroçip numaraları ve pasaportları ile işlemlerine devam eder.”
Vaccination
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.”
Treatment
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.”
Permit
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.”
Paperwork
Veterinary health certificate from the Provincial or District Directorate of Agriculture (within 48 hours of departure)
An official vet at the Provincial or District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry where you live issues the veterinary health certificate, on the model agreed with your destination, no earlier than 48 hours before you leave. Bring the application letter, the pet passport and the lab report if the destination needs one. No dog or cat may leave without it.
Details and the official words
“erken çıkışa 48 saat kala veteriner sağlık sertifikası düzenlenir.”
“sahip olmayan hiçbir kedi ve köpek yurt dışına çıkarılamaz.”
Good to know
- An importer may bring at most 3 animals a year, or the same 3 animals (identified by their microchip numbers) more than once a year.
- From 1 January 2027 every SPSIC application must meet antibody titer (rabies blood test) requirements. BAI hasn't published what they are (laboratory, minimum result, waiting time). If you will apply on or after 1 January 2027, ask BAI now: blood tests can take weeks or months to plan.
- BAI's rewritten pet page no longer says which veterinary certificate must travel with your pet, or what you show and pay on arrival. Until 12 October 2026 it asked for the original export permit / international veterinary health certificate (EP/IVHC) from the exporting country's veterinary authority, shown with printed copies of the approved SPSIC to the BAI quarantine officer at the airport, and listed the fees. Ask BAI (nvqsd@bai.gov.ph) and your own country's export authority what is needed now.
- A dog or cat that is pregnant when you apply for the SPSIC is not allowed, and one that has given birth must have done so at least 12 weeks before travel.
- After an annual booster BAI applies no waiting period if the booster was given 'within 7 days of the validity of the vaccine'; otherwise the 14-day wait applies. The wording is unclear (before or after the old vaccination expired?), so if your pet's booster wasn't on time, ask BAI.
- BAI may waive the rabies vaccination for pets from countries with an official self-declaration of freedom from rabies, or where rabies has never been reported, in their official report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). We don't hold that list, so the plan always shows the vaccination: ask BAI if this applies to your pet's country.
- BAI accepts a rabies vaccine with 3-year validity from the pet's home country. Once the pet has spent a total of 1 year in the Philippines it needs a booster from a licensed vet there, then the local annual (12-month) vaccination for as long as it stays.
- Türkiye asks for a rabies antibody (FAVN) test report only when your destination requires one, but the ministry won't issue the certificate without knowing what the destination asks for. Samples are sent to the Etlik institute in Ankara (VKMAEM) at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination; while vaccination continues on schedule, the report stays valid for the pet's life.
- Kangal, Akbaş and Kars shepherd dogs, the Çatal Burun hunting dog, the Zağar İnci dog, the Ankara (Turkish Angora) cat and the Van cat are protected breeds: they need prior permission to leave Türkiye. Whatever the passport says, the official vet checks that your pet isn't one of them.
- The pet's passport must state its breed and colour exactly. If it only says 'mix' for breed or colour, the passport must be corrected (to the closest breed and colour) before the pet can leave.
- If the pet doesn't travel within 5 days before or after its owner (or someone the owner authorised), or goes by cargo company, Türkiye treats it as a commercial movement with a commercial certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Türkiye to the Philippines?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into the Philippines?
Yes: Every dog and cat needs an approved SPSIC from BAI before it enters the Philippines.
Will my dog be quarantined in the Philippines?
We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet's microchip number is part of the import clearance (SPSIC) application.