Bringing a dog from the Philippines to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)

By Aaron Houston · Last checked 2026-10-26 against official CDC/USDA sources

The Philippines is high-risk

The Philippines is on CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, so the stricter rules apply to any dog that was there in the last 6 months. (CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies)

If your dog was vaccinated in the U.S.

You need the CDC Dog Import Form receipt plus the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form, endorsed by USDA before the dog left the U.S. (or a USDA export certificate issued no later than July 31, 2025). Then the dog can land at any U.S. port that matches the receipt. See returning U.S.-vaccinated dogs. (CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries)

If your dog was vaccinated in the Philippines

1. Microchip first, then rabies vaccine at 12+ weeks of age, at least 28 days before arrival.
2. Rabies titer at a CDC-approved lab (draw ≥30 days after the first valid vaccine and ≥28 days before travel), or plan a 28-day quarantine.
3. Reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility (exam + revaccination).
4. Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, completed ≤30 days before travel and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.
5. CDC Dog Import Form (single entry, arrival date and airport must match).
6. Fly directly into the airport where the facility is. No Alaska, Hawaii or Guam entry, as there are no CDC-registered facilities there.

(CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries; CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations)

Titer lab in the Philippines

CDC's approved lab list includes one lab in the Philippines: the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. Results must come directly from the approved lab, be in English (or with a certified translation), and CDC suggests sending the sample at least 60 days before travel. If a lab is later removed from the list, you need a new result from a currently approved lab. (CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories)

Sources

• CDC: High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies
• CDC: Entry Requirements for U.S.-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
• CDC: Entry Requirements for Foreign-Vaccinated Dogs from High-Risk Countries
• CDC: Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Importations
• CDC: Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs

More guides

• Airline and CDC timing: a countdown for flying your dog into the U.S.
• CDC Dog Import Form: step-by-step guide (2026)
• Bringing a dog from Colombia to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)
• Common reasons dogs are denied entry to the U.S. (and how to avoid them)
• Microchip rules for dogs entering the U.S. (is ISO required?)
• CDC high-risk countries for dog rabies: the list explained
• Bringing a dog from Mexico to the U.S. (CDC rules for 2026)
• Rabies vaccine, titer and certificate rules for dogs entering the U.S.
• U.S. dog entry requirements by risk category (comparison table)
• Returning to the U.S. with your U.S.-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country
• Bringing a dog from Thailand to the U.S. (CDC high-risk rules)