AVA exercises a range of strategies to safeguard against the introduction and spread of animal diseases in Singapore, of which the regulation of the importation of animals into Singapore is a key strategy.
The import, export and transshipment of animals is regulated under the Animals and Birds Act and its subsidiary legislation.
To import your pets (e.g. dogs, cats, ornamental birds, rabbits, guinea pigs etc), you must first obtain an import permit from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) within 30 days prior to the date of arrival. Application for the permit can be made with the online form Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics. Please allow two working days to process the permit upon receipt of the duly completed application. The import permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$50 per permit. 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.
In order to facilitate the processing of import permits for mixed or cross breed dogs, AVA will require the applicant to attach a colour photo of the dog showing the face and body clearly. This is to help AVA to identify the dog breed and ensure that it is not one of the breeds which is prohibited from import.
For more information on transportation arrangements for dogs and cats with the airlines, and on purchasing your animal container, please click here.
If you are importing bird(s) into Singapore, please click here for the list of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affected countries. The import of birds from these countries are currently suspended.
Import of the following does not require any AVA import permit:
- Ornamental fish if the amount of import falls under the personal allowance. For more information, please click here.
- Terrapin / red-ear slider. However, a Letter of Authorisation (Application for Letter of Authorisation) must be obtained prior to import.
The import of insects as pets into Singapore is not allowed.
The import of personal pets 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:
For more information, please click here.
Before exporting your pets, you would need to obtain an export permit from the AVA within the 30 days prior to export. Application for the permit can be made with the online form Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals,Birds, Eggs and Biologics. Please allow two working days to process the permit upon receipt of the completed application. The export permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. 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.
You are advised to obtain well in advance, details of 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 for your pet or testing of your pet 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 for conversion to a government health certificate or for endorsement. Application for the veterinary certificate can be made with the online form Veterinary Certificate for a government health certificate. The conversion to government health certificate and endorsement (ie Health Certificate from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) takes one working day to process and the fee is S$23 per certificate . A surcharge would be imposed (in addition to the certificate fee) if a health certificate is required to be processed within a period shorter than the service standard of one working day.
- The endorsement of health certificate (ie Health Certificate from Hong Kong, EU and Japan) may be done within the same day and the fee is S$9.45 per endorsement. Application forms are available at the AVA HQ, 2nd Storey counter.
- Laboratory diagnostic services are available at the Animal and Plant Health Centre, Tel: 6316 5168 / 88 or Fax: 6316 1090.
For more information, please click here.
To transship your pets via Singapore, you would need to obtain a Transshipment Permit from AVA. The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$50 per permit. Application for the permit can be made with the online form Permit to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics. The permit may be done within the same day with no additional surcharge.
Applicants are required to produce a copy of the valid health certificate or valid rabies vaccination (for dogs and cats only) to accompany the application. Additional documents such as 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, your pet will either be transferred to the Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) or the airline's animal holding area (for shorter transit period 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 information on CAPQ, please click here.
Import & Export Division
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
5 Maxwell Road, #02-03, Tower Block, MND Complex, Singapore 069110
Tel: (65) 6227 0670 or (65) 6325 7333
Fax: (65) 6227 6305
Operating hours :
Mon - Thu : 8.30am - 1.00pm
2.00pm - 6.00pm
Fri :8.30am - 1.00pm
2.00pm - 5.30pm
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays : Closed
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