Pet import requirements for Singapore

Singapore at a glance

The detail

Singapore, a small island country near to the Malaysian Peninsular. Because Singapore is in Asia, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. Minimum 12 weeks for dogs and cats coming from Category A countries.

Import requirements

Minimum 12 weeks for dogs and cats coming from Category A countries. Pregnant females are not allowed to be imported into Singapore.

Import Requirements

Import permit is to be applied for on line.

Preparing to Bring Pets to Singapore

AVS allows max 3 animals (dog/ cat) per household for private property, max 2 cats and 1 small dog for HDB property.

1 import permit can only consist of 3 dog/ cat, so multiple permits are needed if owner has more than 5 pets.

Commercial move is for pets for sale, or imported for work purpose, like working dog.

Dog/ cats imported underCommercial move must also comply with the import requirement for personal pet.Commercial import permit and customs permit apply, GST apply.

SEE ABOVE

Booking is required for all animals importing via Singapore Tuas Check point or Changi Airport (Except pets Transit on one AWB). Booking to be done with AVS at least 5 working days in advance.

From 1 Sep 2024, all new dog/cat licensee must attend an on line course, before they are able to apply for the dog/ cat license. The dog/ cat license must be issued before an import permit can be applied.

Identification and microchip

Microchip required for dog and cat.Leg ring/ microchip is required for birds.

Rabies and vaccinations

Required for dog & cat coming from Schedule II/III countries.

Min waiting of at least 28 days, before blood sample can be collected. Wait 3 months from sample collection date prior to export.

From 1 Jul 2024 Schedule I (Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland)

• DHP/ FVRCP (at least 14 days before export)

Schedule II (Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, New Caledonia, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (Except Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, USA

• DHP/ FVRCP (at least 14 days before export)
• Rabies (at least 28 days before export)
• Rabies titer test (done at WOAH lab or Approved lab in Schedule I/II countries), Wait 3 months from sample collection date before export

Schedule III (All other countries not listed in Schedule I/II)

• DHP/ FVRCP (at least 14 days before export)
• Rabies (at least 28 days before export)
• Rabies titer test (done at WOAH lab or Approved lab in Schedule I/II countries), Wait 3 months from sample collection date before export

Pets below 1.5 years of age, need to show proof the primary & booster DHP/ FVRCP vaccination records.*Vaccinations must be administered according to vaccine manufacturer' recommendations*

Tests and treatments

Dog & Cat:

Rabies titer test needed to be done at WOAH lab or approved lab in Schedule I or II country for pets coming from Schedule II/III countries

Birds:

H5 and H7 Avian in fluenza serology tests, Or Virus Isolation for Avian Influenza or RT-PCR test is needed.

Dog & Cat:

Internal (nematodes and cestodes) and External (Fleas and Ticks) parasite treatment to be done 2-7 days prior to export.

Small mammals:

External parasite treatment to be done 4 to14 days oprior to export.

Health certificate and permits

Dog & Cat:

• AVS veterinary certificate for Schedule I to III.
• Government health certificate

Small mammals (personal pets- Rabbits, Hares, Mice, Rats, hamsters, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas)/ Reptiles (personal pets)/ birds (personal pets):

• Private vet health certificate signed by government veterinary authority or a registered veterinarian of the country of export.

Import permit is to be applied for on line.

Import Requirements

• For pets that need to be quarantined upon arrival, quarantine space can be booked well in advance. Quarantine space is subject to availability at the time of booking. AVS will request a deposit once approved to confirm the space.
• Import permit is required for all pets. Pets are subject to the import requirements, conditions listed above or can be found on AVS website.

A valid dog license must be in place before application of import permit for dog.

Quarantine

ADJUSTMENT OF OPERATING HOURS FOR CHANGI ANIMAL AND PLANT QUARANTINE STATION (CAPQ)

10 or 30 days quarantine for pets arriving in Singapore at AVS quarantine facility (Export country from Category C and D, Schedule II or III).

Home quarantine for dog / cat under Schedule II can be applied for.

No quarantine For schedule II, if owner arrive within 5 days from pet, and this is not a transfer of ownership.

14 days Home quarantine for small mammals (personal pets).

Quarantine only provide basic care service like food and shelter, daily walking exercise for dogs only. Should owner wish the dogs to be bathed, additional walks in quarantine, owner has to do it the mselves or appoint a third party service provider.

Restrictions and banned breeds

Banned breed for dogs:

• Pit Bull, in cluding:
• American Pit Bull Terrier (also known as American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier)
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Bulldog
• Crosses between them and other breeds
• Akita
• Boerboel
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tosa
• Perro De Presa Canario
• Crosses of any of the above breeds

Banned breed for Cats:

• 1st to 4th generation Bengal or Savannah cat and crosses.

Customs, agents, and airports

Highly recommended. Some airlines like KLM/ AF required mandatory use of broker (agent) for arrival.

Import clearance can only be done by AVS approved pet agent from 1 Apr 2026.

Best Airport:SIN / TCP (Road transport from Malaysia) All animals arriving in Singapore need to have a customs permit.

Airports listed on this destination file: SIN, XSP.

Application of customs declaration permit is required for import and export. All animals arriving in Singapore need to have a customs permit. Application of customs declaration permit is required for import and export.

Export notes

• Export permit
• Health certificate
• Customs declaration permit (for manifest cargo)
• Comply with country of import regulation

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

All CITES animals need an Import Permit besides the CITES Import Document.

Quarantine only provides basic care service like food and shelter. Should the owner wish the dogs to be bathed, walked in quarantine, owner has to do it the mselves or appoint a third party service provider.

• All dogs residing in Singapore will need to have a valid AVS dog license.
• Owner must update AVS of the new address when they moved. Any failure to do so will result in fine/ penalty.
• Only one approved small breed dog can be kept in Housing Development Board (HDB) residential flats. Cat is not allowed.
• Owner can keep up to 3 pets in non- HDB premises.
• Only one scheduled dog can be kept in non- HDB premises.

Official contacts

Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station

Gate C7, Airport Cargo Road

Changi Airfreight Centre

Singapore 918104

Tel: +65 6545-7523

Email: animal_feedback@nparks.gov.sgCurrent as of Sep 2024

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2026-01-16.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

Other destinations: Afghanistan · Armenia · Azerbaijan · all destinations