Papers needed for relocating rats to the Philippines

Question
QUESTION: Hi Rachel,

    I am relocating to the Philippines in February and I am taking my two male rats with me, they are siblings and both a year old and eight months...I already got the import permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry from the Philippines. But when I called up the Philippine Consulate office in San Francisco, they said I needed to get an export permit here in the US and when I asked them where I could get it they were clueless. Where can I obtain one and how? Is that  even required? I know I'll also need a vet certificate, I plan to take the boys to their vet before we leave...other than that am I missing something? And also, what should I expect with the folks at customs when I get there? I know I'll have to pay 50% of the original value of the boys plus 10% tax, would there be more charges other than that? Sorry if I seem like I'm peppering you with questions. Your help would be much appreciated! Much thanks for taking the time to read this.

ANSWER: Hi Phoebe,

Thanks for your inquiry.  I have never heard of an export permit from the US - I think perhaps you got the wrong or misinformation from the consulate.  Presumably all you should need is your import permit for the Philippines and a health certificate endorsed by the USDA, issued within 10 days of the flight.  The USDA for California is in Sacramento:

Area Veterinarian-in-Charge
USDA, APHIS, VS
10365 Old Placerville Road Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95827-2518
Phone: (916) 854-3950
Fax (916) 363-3919

As for customs, I'm not entirely sure what you'll end up paying with regards to charges  Typically we hire a customs agent and the charges vary depending on the size of your pets and their declared value. You might try contacting a customs agent in Manila.

Good luck and please let us know if there's anything else we can help you with!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Rachel,

    Thanks very much for the fast reply, it was very much appreciated...now I'm glad that I'm on the right track :) I just want to make sure that I'm going to do this right (again, I think I'm a bit mixed up), do I need to get the health certificate from the USDA office in Sacramento or can I just get the certificate from my vet then contact the USDA office in Sacramento? Thanks very much again!

Phoebe

Answer
Hi Phoebe,

Great question.  First, your regular vet should issue the health certificate within 10 days of the flight.  Then you'll need to call the USDA and set up a time to take the health certificate into them for their endorsement.  On the State of California International Health Certificate there is a place for you to sign, your vet to sign and then also the USDA to sign.  

Cheers!