Rules on Importation of Live Cattle and Meat Products

Covers only meat and meat products defined in Annex "A".
Applies to meat and meat product importations into Philippine customs territories for consumption, processing, marketing, distribution, repacking/relabeling, and re-export.
Transshipped meat and meat products are excluded.

Accredited importers must secure a VQC/SPS Clearance from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) before importation.
Application requires submission of a completed form, pro-forma invoice, and payment of fees.
Applications must be made by top company officers or authorized representatives.
BAI coordinates with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) for issuing VQC after assessing disease absence, good standing of FME and importer, compliance with risk measures, and other SPS factors.
VQC decisions are made within 5 working days of a complete application.
Approved VQC must be immediately shared with exporters to secure Importer’s Veterinary Certificate (IVC).
VQC validity is 60 days, non-transferable, and only one shipment per VQC is allowed.
No VQC is issued after shipment departure; misrepresentation renders importation illegal.

Personal/non-commercial importation of fresh, frozen, uncooked meat requires valid VQC and IVC.

Only FMEs recognized by the exporting country’s National Veterinary Administration are approved for export.
Accredited importers are the only entities authorized to apply for VQC and import.
Importers must ensure exporters have the approved VQC prior to shipment.
Shipment dates must not precede the VQC issuance date.
Seal integrity of containers must be maintained. Transshipment does not validate VQC/IVC if the seal is broken.

DA can impose temporary bans in emergencies to protect human and animal health.
Procedures during bans include suspending VQC issuance, cancelling VQCs, suspending shipments, and confiscating unauthorized imports.
Emergencies include outbreaks of OIE notifiable diseases, contamination incidents, and other public health threats.
Lifting bans is based on international recommendations and satisfactory risk management measures.
DA may institute additional safety measures during emergencies short of bans.

Packing materials must be food grade and comply with Codex standards.
Wood packaging must follow ISPM No. 15 phytosanitary standards.
Labels must declare additives/preservatives and include trade/exporter details, country of origin, lot number, product description, net content, manufacturing date, expiration, and handling instructions.
Labels must be in English or Filipino with specific font size minimums.

All shipments are subject to border control inspection.
Importers must present required documents to the Veterinary Quarantine Officer (VQO).
VQO conducts documentary verification, veterinary inspection, seals shipments, and issues Veterinary Quarantine and Meat Inspection and Laboratory Certificate (VQMILC).
NMIS conducts meat inspections and laboratory testing within prescribed timelines depending on supplier status.
Only after satisfactory inspection and documentation will the Bureau of Customs release the shipment.

Imported meat must comply with Philippine meat safety rules and be traceable under RA 9296 (Meat Inspection Code).

Meat products without valid VQC are denied entry or confiscated and destroyed.
Confiscation occurs for seal breaches, invalid or absent VQC/IVC, quantity excess, non-accredited sources, mislabeled or expired products, presence of diseases, and health risk violations.
Shipments found with disease-causing organisms, toxic substances, or unfit for consumption are confiscated.
Importers bear the costs for confiscation and destruction.
Violations in exporting FMEs may lead to cancellation of accreditation.

Shipments with labeling defects but no misrepresentation are held in abeyance and may be released upon modification compliance.
Shipments with deliberate mislabeling or false claims are subject to confiscation.

Violations of import requirements, labeling, and shipment rules attract penalties under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) and Tariff and Customs Code for fraudulent importation.
Public officials involved in violations are subject to administrative and criminal sanctions including anti-graft laws and ethical regulations.

If any provisions are declared unconstitutional, other provisions remain effective.

In-transit shipments before the Order's effectivity abide by previous regulations (AO 39 and AO 56).
Accreditation status of existing importers/exporters will be reviewed.
The Order takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers.