AVA exercises a range of strategies to safeguard against the introduction and spread of animal diseases in Singapore, of which the control on the importation of animals into Singapore is a key strategy.
The import, export and transshipment of animals is regulated under the Animals & Birds Act and its subsidiary legislation.
Only institutions licensed by AVA to use animals for scientific purposes may import and export laboratory animals. For more information, please click here.
All imports of laboratory animals must be accompanied by a valid import permit from AVA. Application can be made with the online form Application for Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals/Birds/Eggs/Biologics within 30 days prior to the date of arrival and a Customs Clearance Permit (CCP) declared through Tradenet prior to importation.
The AVA import permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$87 per permit. Please allow two working days to process the permit upon receipt of the duly complete application. A surcharge equal to the permit fee will be imposed if the permit is required to be processed within a period shorter than 2 working days. Each permit is valid for one consignment only.
The import of laboratory animals must comply with AVA's veterinary conditions which includes requirements such as health certification, quarantine and inspection by AVA.
For more information on the veterinary conditions:
No quarantine is required for the importation of mice and rats for laboratory purpose. The import of non-human primates is subjected to 30 days quarantine upon arrival in Singapore. The quarantine facility must be inspected and approved by AVA.
You would need to obtain an AVA export permit and a CCP declared through Tradenet prior to exportation. Please submit the completed online application Application for Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals/Birds/Eggs/Biologics to AVA within 30 days prior to export.
The AVA export permit valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$87 per permit. Please allow 2 working days from date of receipt of the duly complete application to process your application. If the permit is required with a period shorter than 2 working days, an express service fee of an amount equivalent to the permit fee will be charged, in addition to the permit fee. Each permit is valid for one consignment only.
You are advised to obtain well in advance, details of the import requirements from the relevant authorities of the destination country or through the appropriate Embassy or High Commission in Singapore. Should a Veterinary Health Certificate or testing of the animals for diseases be required by the destination country, AVA can provide the following services:
- If a government health certificate or endorsement of a health certificate by an official veterinarian is required, you are advised to first bring the animal to any of the veterinary clinics in Singapore for an examination and a health certificate. Then submit this health certificate to AVA for conversion to a government health certificate or for endorsement. The application for conversion to a government health certificate can be made with the online form Veterinary Certificate to AVA. The conversion of the health certificate takes one working day to process and the fee is S$23 per certificate. Endorsement of health certificate may be done within the same day and the fee is S$9.45 per endorsement.
- Laboratory diagnostic services are available at the Animal and Plant Health Centre, Tel: 6316 5168 / 88 or Fax: 6316 1090.
To transship laboratory animals via Singapore, you would need to obtain a Transhipment Permit from AVA. The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$87 per permit. The permit may be done within the same day with no additional surcharge. Each permit is valid for one consignment only. Application for permit can be made with the online form Application for Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals/Birds/Eggs/Biologics .
Applicants are required to produce a copy of the valid health certificate to accompany the application. Additional documents such as a copy of the import permit or import license from the importing country may be required depending on the destination country.
For transit periods of more than four hours, the animals will either be transferred to the Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) or the airline's animal holding area (for shorter transit hour or outside CAPQ's operation hours). The accommodation fee in CAPQ is S$26.25 / head per day or part thereof (for dog and cat) or S$26.25 / kennel per day or part thereof (for small mammals and birds). For more information on Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine, please click here.
Import & Export Division
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
5 Maxwell Road, #02-03, Tower Block, MND Complex, Singapore 069110
Tel: 6227 0670 or 6325 7333
Fax: 62270670
Operating hours:
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8.30am - 1.00 pm |
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2.00pm - 6.00pm |
Fri Sat, Sun and Public Holiday : Closed |
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8.30am -1.00pm 2.00pm - 5.30pm
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