Pets & Animals

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.

To use our Pet Import Requirement Calculator, please click here.

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.

The diagram below summarises the import requirements and procedures for bringing dogs or cats into Singapore. The subsequent sections will provide detailed instructions for each step.

1. Check that the breed of your dog or cat is allowed in Singapore

Breeds of dogs not allowed in Singapore	Breeds of cats not allowed in Singapore
Pit Bull, including: 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 Boerboe Dogo Argentino Fila Brasileiro Neapolitan Mastiff Tosa Perro De Presa Canario Crosses of any of the above breeds	1st to 4th generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses.*

*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

2. Check if your dog or cat is allowed at your intended residence in Singapore

See Breeds of Dogs Allowed in HDB flats

3. Check your country's rabies risk category

AVA categorises countries according to their rabies risk status. Dogs and cats 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.

4. Ensure your dog or cat fulfils AVA Veterinary Condition

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:

• Category A Countries
• Category B Countries
• Category C Countries
• Category D Countries

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).

Those under Category D are required to be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days.

More details on the vaccination conditions can be found in the relevant veterinary conditions documents listed in step 4.

Please reserve your quarantine space at least 3 months before your dog/cat's anticipated arrival into Singapore through our Quarantine Management System.

6.Obtain a dog licence to apply for AVA import licence and Singapore Customs clearance

AVA import licence

From 1 January 2016, please obtain a dog licence before applying for an AVA Import Licence.

Apply for an import licence via the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website.

For a step-by-step guide to apply an import licence, please click here.

The licence is valid for 30 days from date of issue. Please note that you will need to log in to the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website and locate the specific import licensing service.

If you are bringing in mixed or cross breed dogs, attach a coloured photo of your dog to your online application, showing the dog’s face and body, so that AVA can verify that it is not a prohibited breed.

Singapore Customs Permit

 Please refer to Singapore Customs' procedures and requirements for the importation of pets for personal and/or commercial purposes.

7. 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.

How to obtain the Veterinary Health Certificate

8. Inform AVA's border control office of the arrival date and time before your pet arrives in Singapore.

Make an appointment for your pet’s inspection by submitting an online booking request via AVA’s Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST). Submit your request at least 5 days before arrival. Pets arriving for inspections without any prior appointment will be subject to an $80.00 inspection fee. Please be informed that all pets arrival at Tuas Checkpoint can only be on Mondays – Saturdays between 8 to 10 am.

Quick Summary

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.

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.