General Information
Requirements and procedures apply when you import or transship your dog or cat.
Importing means bringing an animal into Singapore from another country.
Transshipping means travelling between countries and transiting via Singapore for a period of less than 24 hours.
Note that all dogs and cats taken out of Singapore are subject upon return to the same regulations as those entering for the first time.
Before Bringing Dogs or Cats into Singapore
Before deciding to bring dogs or cats into Singapore, you should consider the animal's age, medical conditions and the potential stress on the animal during travel.
You should also purchase a proper animal container and make the necessary transportation arrangements with the airlines. See the International Air Transport Association website for guidelines on suitable containers.
1. Identify the exporting country's rabies risk category
AVA categorises countries according to their rabies risk status. Dogs and cats imported from each category are subject to different Veterinary Conditions.
As the categorisation of countries is subject to change, please check AVA's website closer to your date of import for the most current classification to ensure you will be following the correct requirements.
Rabies Risk Categorisation
Different sets of Veterinary Conditions apply to dogs and cats under each of the 4 country categories.
Veterinary Conditions include requirements on vaccinations, blood tests, parasite treatment, etc., some of which carry specific timeframes. Do read the conditions carefully.
Veterinary Conditions for:
Alternatively, you can refer to the following detailed pet import flowcharts which contain the timeframes you would need to complete certain actions such as vaccinations, blood tests, parasite treatments, etc.
You may also use our Pet Import Requirement Calculator.
2a. Ensure that the breed of your dog or cat is allowed in Singapore
*Before you import, you are required to produce documentary proof that your:
- Bengal cat cross is at least a 5th generation cross from the ancestral stock of Prionailurus bengalensis
- Savannah cat cross is at least a 5th generation cross from the ancestral stock of Leptailurus serval
2b. Ensure that your dog or cat is allowed at your intended residence in Singapore
See Breeds of Dogs Allowed in HDB flats
3. Send your dog or cat for rabies vaccination and serology test
Dogs and cats from countries under Categories B, C or D must have valid rabies vaccination upon arrival in Singapore.
In addition, these dogs and cats must have undergone a blood serology test to check for rabies antibody levels at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The test result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
For a detailed timeline for when to complete the vaccination and blood serology test, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
4. Send your dog or cat for general vaccinations
Send your dog or cat for the following general vaccinations:
- Dog: Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvoviral Infection
- Cat: Cat Flu (Feline Calicivirus and Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis) and Cat Enteritis (Feline Panleukopaenis/ Feline Parvovirus)
Please make sure your dog's or cat's microchip number is indicated in all the vaccination records.
For a detailed timeline on when to complete the general vaccinations, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
5. Reserve quarantine space with AVA
Dogs and cats from countries under Categories C or D are required to be quarantined at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS) upon their arrival in Singapore.
Please see Animal Quarantine & AVA's Border Control Checkpoints for more information on animal quarantine.
Dogs and cats from Categories A or B are not required to undergo quarantine, provided all veterinary conditions are met and the animals are clinically healthy on arrival.
Those under Category C are required to be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days (Category C1) or 30 days (Category C2). Please refer to the pet import flowchart for Category C countries to find out how your pet can be quarantined for 10 days instead of 30 days.
Those under Category D are required to be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days.
Please reserve your quarantine space at least 3 months before your dog/cat's anticipated arrival into Singapore through our Quarantine Management System.
For a detailed timeline on when to reserve quarantine space for your pet, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
6. Obtain a dog licence before applying for an import licence
Dog licence
Dog owners, please apply for a dog licence online before applying for an import licence. Please refer to the table below for the relevant fees.
Licence Fees
For a detailed timeline on when to apply for the dog licence, if applicable, and import licence, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
7. Book inspection for your dog or cat
Book an inspection for your dog or cat via AVA’s Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST) more than 5 days before arrival. Pets arriving for inspections without any prior appointment will be subject to an $80.00 inspection fee.
Please avoid these inspection timings:
- Mondays to Saturdays, 10:30pm to 8:00am
- Sundays & Public Holidays
Please refer to the step by step guides on how to create an account and how to book an inspection.
Note that pets arriving from Malaysia via road can only do so at Tuas Checkpoint from Mondays to Saturdays between 8 to 10 am.
For a detailed timeline on when to book inspection for your dog or cat, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
8. Send your dog or cat for parasite treatments and obtain Veterinary Health Certificate
AVA requires a Veterinary Health Certificate certifying that your dog or cat meets the Veterinary Conditions and is healthy and free from any contagious or infectious disease prior to import.
| STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
| STEP A: |
Download and print out the Veterinary Certificate template attached in the relevant AVA Veterinary Conditions or detailed pet import flowchart in Step 1 above. |
| STEP B: |
Send your dog or cat for external and internal parasite treatments and have the treating private veterinarian complete the Veterinary Health Certificate. |
| STEP C: |
Have the completed Veterinary Health Certificate endorsed by the official government veterinarian of your dog's or cat's country of export. |
For a detailed timeline on when to send your dog or cat for parasite treatments and obtain the veterinary health certificate, please refer to the pet import flowchart in Step 1 above.
9. Present your dog's or cat's import licence during check-in
During check-in, present your dog's or cat's import licence (
Step 6 above).
Owners of dogs and cats from Category A and B countries need to also arrange with your chosen airline to sign the Captain's Declaration Form (template found in the Veterinary Conditions or detailed pet import flowchart in Step 1 above).
Quick Summary
| Country Category |
A |
B |
C |
D |
| ISO Standard Microchip |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| General Vaccination |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Rabies Vaccination |
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Rabies antibody level blood test |
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Veterinary Health Certificate |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Original Vaccination Records |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Quarantine Space Reservation |
|
|
Y |
Y |
Captain's Declaration Form
(template found in Veterinary Conditions for category A and B) |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Upon Arriving in Singapore
The steps you are required to take after your dog or cat’s arrival in Singapore will differ depending on your pet’s quarantine requirements.
The diagram below gives a brief summary of the post-arrival procedure:
Please see Animal Quarantine & AVA Border Control Checkpoints for more information on:
- Veterinary inspection and customs clearance procedures at the AVA border control offices, and
- Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station.
Additional Requirements for Commercial Importers
If you are importing dogs or cats for commercial purposes, you must meet these requirements in addition to the steps listed in the previous sections.
Pet Shop Licence
In order to import pets for commercial purposes, you must first obtain a Pet Shop Licence.
Customs Clearance Permit
Commercial importers may refer to Singapore Customs' procedures and requirements for the importation of pets for commercial purposes.
Transshipping Dogs or Cats via Singapore
Transshipping means travelling between countries and transiting via Singapore for a period of less than 24 hours.
To transship dogs or cats via Singapore, you will need an AVA Transshipment Licence.
Apply for AVA Transshipment Licence
Inform AVA’s border control office of the arrival date and time before your pet arrives in Singapore.
Prepare the following documents in softcopy:
- valid Veterinary Health Certificate, or
- valid rabies vaccination record, or
- import permit from the importing country
Apply via the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website, and upload the prepared documents.
For a step-by-step guide to apply an transhipment licence, please click here.
Please note that you will need to log in to the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website and locate the specific transshipment licensing service
For transit periods of more than 4 to 6 hours during CAPQ’s operating hours and requiring accommodation at CAPQ, pet owners/agents/representatives are required to make an online inspection appointment via AVA’s Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST) at least 5 days before arrival. Pets arriving for inspections without any prior appointment will be subject to an $80.00 inspection fee aside from the $26.25 accommodation charge.
| Type of licence |
Cost and validity |
| Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics (Commercial) |
- S$87 (normal service, issuance within 2 working days of submission of complete documents)
- S$174 (express service, issuance within 1 working day of submission of complete documents)
- Valid for 30 days from date of issuance
- Each licence allows you to export 1 consignment
|
| Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics (Personal) |
- S$50 (normal service, issuance within 2 working days of submission of complete documents)
- S$100 (express service, issuance within 1 working day of submission of complete documents)
- Valid for 30 days from date of issuance
|
What happens during transshipment
For transit periods of more than 4 to 6 hours, your dog or cat will be transferred to AVA’s Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine station (CAPQ). The animal will be kept in the airline's animal holding area for shorter transit period or periods during CAPQ's non-operating hours.
You are required to pay a fee of S$26.25 per animal per day to accommodate your dog or cat at CAPQ. This will cover the cost of food, cleaning and care for your pet.