Pet Transport from Italy to the Philippines
Moving your pet from Italy to the Philippines is a well-travelled route among expats and Italians relocating to Manila, Cebu, or Davao -- but it requires careful advance planning and a genuine …
Get your free quoteThe Italy to Philippines import process
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: Official government veterinarian
Responsible: You + BAI quarantine officers
Philippines entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The 7-day quarantine on arrival is mandatory and cannot be waived. Factor this into your plans, your pet will not come home with you on arrival day.
Get the import permit well in advance. BAI can take several weeks to process applications.
Always verify current requirements with the Bureau of Animal Industry before finalising preparations.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Cargo only. Pets fly as manifested cargo in a temperature-controlled hold. Routes via Dubai (DXB). Seasonal temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with restrictions. Book via Emirates SkyCargo. | Cargo Only |
| Qatar Airways | Cargo only via Doha (DOH). Qatar Airways Cargo handles all pets. Temperature restrictions apply. No brachycephalic breeds in cargo during summer. Convenient routing between Europe and Asia. | Cargo Only |
| Lufthansa | Small pets (under 8kg including carrier) in cabin on European legs. Cargo for Philippines sector via Frankfurt (FRA). Lufthansa Cargo operates temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Cathay Pacific | Cargo only via Hong Kong (HKG). Well-regarded for long-haul pet cargo. Temperature-controlled hold throughout. Additional compliance checks at Hong Kong transfer. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply. | Cargo Only |
| Singapore Airlines | Cargo only via Singapore (SIN). Strong reputation for animal welfare in cargo. Temperature-controlled pressurised hold. Brachycephalic restrictions apply. Singapore transfer requires compliance with AVS regulations for transit. | Cargo Only |
| KLM | Small pets in cabin to Amsterdam (AMS), then cargo connection to Manila (MNL). KLM Cargo for larger pets. Seasonal temperature restrictions. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Air France | Small pets in cabin within Europe. Cargo via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Manila. Air France Cargo operates climate-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breed restrictions in cargo. | Cabin and Cargo |
Airline options: Italy to Philippines
No airline offers a non-stop service between Italy and the Philippines, so your pet will travel on a connection – either changing aircraft or being transferred through a hub city. The hub routing matters for pets: some transfers require animal welfare checks or temperature compliance, which affects which airline makes sense for your specific journey.
Emirates (via Dubai) and Qatar Airways (via Doha) are the most commonly used options for this route. Both operate dedicated cargo handling. Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) is another strong choice and has a good reputation for animal welfare in the hold.
Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is a popular option but factor in that Hong Kong has its own transit regulations for animals. Check what is required for your pet during any layover.
For dogs and cats in the cabin, only the European leg is an option. Small pets may travel in-cabin to an intermediate airport (Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam), with the Manila leg as cargo. Check with your airline whether this split journey is operationally available for your booking.
Philippines import requirements for pets
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) governs all pet imports into the Philippines. The requirements are not negotiable and must all be met before your pet lands.
Microchip and rabies vaccination come first. The microchip must predate the vaccination. A titre test is required – blood drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, tested at an OIE-approved laboratory, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater.
You also need a valid import permit from the BAI, issued before travel. The health certificate from Italy must be from an official government veterinarian and endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Health.
On arrival, your pet goes to the BAI quarantine facility. The 7-day stay is compulsory for all incoming animals.
Choosing between airlines: what matters most
For a long-haul route like Italy to Manila, the main factors to compare are hub routing, brachycephalic breed restrictions, and cargo reputation.
If you have a flat-faced dog or cat (French Bulldog, Persian, Pug, British Shorthair), check each airline’s brachycephalic policy carefully. Several carriers restrict or outright ban these breeds from cargo, especially in summer. Get written confirmation before you book.
Hub routing matters for journey time. Dubai and Doha connections tend to be efficient for Italy departures. Singapore and Hong Kong connections add slightly more distance but both are well-regarded for animal handling.
Whichever airline you choose, confirm your pet has been registered and accepted before purchasing your own ticket. Cargo space for animals is limited and not guaranteed at booking.
Common questions about this route
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