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Philippines to United States with a dog

Last checked: Oct 2026 Dog

CDC lists the Philippines as high-risk for dog rabies. A dog must be ≥6 months old, microchipped before vaccination, carry a government-endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and arrive by air at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility where it's examined and revaccinated. Without a valid titer it faces a 28-day quarantine.

Minimum lead time: Plan 2–3 months (CDC recommends starting 60+ days out; titer drawn ≥30 days after first vaccine and ≥28 days before entry).

Requirements, in order

1. Confirm the rules that apply

The Philippines is on CDC's high-risk countries list (checked Oct 2026). Rules apply to any dog that has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months. This page covers foreign-vaccinated dogs. Dogs with a valid US-issued vaccination returning home follow a different CDC path — use CDC's Dog Importation Navigator.

2. Age

The dog must be at least 6 months old at entry (CDC).

3. Microchip (before the rabies vaccine)

Detectable by a universal scanner, implanted before the rabies vaccine or the vaccine is invalid. The chip number must appear on all forms.

4. Rabies vaccination

First vaccine at or after 12 weeks (84 days) of age — for high-risk-country dogs, CDC won't accept doses before 12 weeks regardless of product labelling. A first vaccine must be given at least 28 days before US entry.

5. Rabies serology titer (to avoid 28-day quarantine)

Blood drawn ≥30 days after the first valid vaccine and ≥28 days before US entry, tested at a CDC-approved lab (if none in your country, the closest one). Passing is ≥0.5 IU/mL. A pass is valid for life if vaccination never lapses. A failed titer means revaccination and a redraw (CDC recommends ≥14 days between) (CDC vet documents).

6. Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form

Completed (typed) by your vet, then endorsed by an official government veterinarian of the exporting country. Must be completed no more than 30 days before travel, is single-use, and valid 30 days. Carry two printed copies. Ask BAI which official veterinarians endorse it and whether the Philippines uses an approved variation of the form (CDC instructions).

7. CDC-registered animal care facility reservation

Book before travel at the facility at your arrival airport (CDC facility list). Every dog gets a vet exam and revaccination with a US-licensed rabies vaccine there; without a valid titer the booking must include a 28-day quarantine. The confirmation must be shown to the airline before boarding and to CBP.

8. CDC Dog Import Form

Free, online, one per dog, filled in by the importer. For high-risk dogs the receipt is single-entry, valid only for the arrival date listed; resubmit if dates or airport change. Dogs under 1 year need a photo taken within 15 days of travel.

9. Arrival by air at the facility's airport

The dog must fly into the US airport where the facility is, and that airport must match the Dog Import Form. No domestic connections until the facility has finished its services. Documents must be in English or certified translation. You must also follow USDA and your US state's rules.

10. Philippine export clearance (BAI)

Exporting from the Philippines requires BAI clearance via the BAI pet export page. ⚠ Not fully verified: search-indexed BAI text says the Veterinary Health Certificate is valid only 3 days and the shipping permit must be applied for in that window. Confirm with BAI.

Backwards timeline

  1. T-60 days or moreMicrochip, then rabies vaccine (dog ≥12 weeks). Start airline booking.
  2. Vaccine + 30 days, and ≥28 days before entryTiter blood draw sent to a CDC-approved lab (last safe point to avoid quarantine).
  3. T-30 days or moreReserve the CDC-registered animal care facility at the arrival airport (add 28-day quarantine if no valid titer).
  4. T-30 days or lessVet completes the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form; official government vet endorses.
  5. Week of travelSubmit the CDC Dog Import Form (photo within 15 days if dog <1 year). BAI VHC and shipping permit.
  6. ArrivalFly into the facility's airport; show receipt, form and reservation to CBP; dog goes for exam and revaccination.

Costs (official figures only)

CDC states the CDC Dog Import Form is free. CDC says the cost of the Certification form is set by your vet, and that all CDC-registered facility costs (exam, revaccination, quarantine) are paid by the importer and must be quoted by the facility (CDC). No official fixed amounts are published, so we don't list any.

Airline notes

The itinerary must end at a US airport with a CDC-registered facility, and the airline may ask to see the facility reservation before boarding. Under CDC rules, foreign-vaccinated high-risk dogs must arrive by air (service dogs as defined in 14 CFR 382.3 have a sea-arrival exception). Check each airline's own pet and crate policy and any transit-country rules.

Common mistakes

FAQ

Is the Philippines a high-risk country for dog rabies?

Yes. CDC lists the Philippines as high-risk, so stricter entry rules apply to dogs that were there in the past 6 months.

Will my dog be quarantined entering the US from the Philippines?

Only if it lacks a valid rabies titer from a CDC-approved lab; then it must do a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility. All such dogs still get an exam and revaccination at the facility.

How old must my dog be to enter the US from the Philippines?

At least 6 months old at entry, with a first rabies vaccine given at or after 12 weeks of age.

Does the CDC Dog Import Form cost money?

No, CDC says it is free. You need one per dog.

Official sources

Flagged / not fully verified:

Last checked: Oct 2026. Spotted a change? Rules move fast — tell us and check the official source first.