Bringing Your Pet to Manila, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Manila means meeting the Philippines’ import requirements, from rabies vaccination and parasite treatments to an import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with vets, the USDA, airlines, and Philippine veterinary officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you’re moving to Manila for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in the Philippines, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Manila
Recommended
MNL
The Philippines’ main international gateway
- Distance from city center7 miles (12 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, with BAI veterinary quarantine officers
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from select hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Manila and Metro Manila
CRK
North of Metro Manila
- Distance from city center55 miles (90 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityLimited
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forRelocations to Pampanga and Central Luzon
i
Why airport choice matters
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) handles most international arrivals into the Philippines, and it’s where most pets clear veterinary inspection on arrival. Your import permit also has to match your pet’s actual arrival, so the airport and flight are planned before the permit is issued. Starwood routes most Manila relocations into NAIA and lines up your pet’s permit, health certificate, and flight so every date matches.
Traveling to Manila with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Manila?
To bring a dog or cat from the US to Manila, your pet needs:
- An ISO microchip
- A rabies vaccination given more than 30 days but less than one year before travel
- Internal and external parasite treatments
- An import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry
- A Philippines-specific health certificate endorsed by the USDA
Pets must be at least 4 months old. For full country-level requirements, see our Philippines Pet Relocation Guide.
It starts with a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip number must match on every vaccination record and health document. Dogs also need a DHLPP vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis), and cats need an FVRCP vaccine. Each must be given at least 21 days before travel.
The import permit is called a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC), and it’s issued by the BAI. The SPSIC lists the exact health requirements your pet must meet before travel. A few things to know:
- One SPSIC can cover up to three dogs, cats, or a mix of both.
- The number of animals on your health certificate must match the number on your SPSIC.
- You can only apply once your pet is at least 4 months old, at least 14 days after vaccinations, and at least 7 days after parasite treatments.
- Processing typically takes 5 to 7 business days.
Internal and external parasite treatments must be given between 14 and 30 days before arrival, ideally about 20 days before travel. Finally, a USDA-accredited veterinarian completes a clinical exam and the Philippines health certificate within 10 days of travel, and the USDA endorses it. The standard APHIS 7001 form can’t be used.
Pets that arrive with incomplete or mismatched paperwork can be refused entry. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it’s where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the right choice for nearly every Manila relocation. It sits about 7 miles from central Manila, close to Makati, Pasay, and Bonifacio Global City. Clark International Airport (CRK) is about 90 minutes north and mainly makes sense for moves to Central Luzon.
On arrival, BAI veterinary officers inspect your pet and check its documents against the SPSIC. Pets flying as cargo must also clear customs before they can be collected. After arrival, pets complete a 7-day home quarantine. Starwood coordinates clearance through our handling partners, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Manila, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Pets reach Manila either on nonstop flights from select US hubs or through connections in Asia. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo, and pet policies vary by route, so Starwood confirms each carrier’s current rules before booking.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet’s breed and size, and temperature restrictions. Manila’s heat and humidity, combined with long transpacific flights, make careful routing especially important. Snub-nosed breeds face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
Plan for at least two to three months. The rabies vaccine must be given more than 30 days before travel. The other vaccines need 21 days. The import permit can’t be requested until 14 days after vaccinations and takes about a week to issue. Parasite treatments must fall 14 to 30 days before arrival, and the health certificate must be completed within 10 days of travel. Starting early gives you room to line all of these windows up with your flight.
Cost depends on your pet’s size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Manila?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to the Philippines comes with specific challenges:
- A BAI import permit
- Tight treatment and certificate windows
- A country-specific health certificate
- Long transpacific routing
Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to the SPSIC application, airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door.
Whether you’re moving to Manila for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in the Philippines, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet’s journey to Manila? Request a free quote.
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