Veterinary Biologics
Veterinary biologics are any viruses, serums, toxins and analogous products of natural or synthetic origin, including genetically modified organisms, diagnostics, antitoxins, vaccines, live micro-organisms, killed micro-organisms and the antigenic or immunising component of micro-organisms intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of diseases of animals and birds, or for purposes of research in animals or birds.
AVA regulates the import and transshipment of veterinary biologics, which require valid licences and registration.
The export of veterinary biologics does not require an AVA export licence.
There are 4 general stages for bringing veterinary biologics into Singapore:
- The importer must be licensed to possess veterinary biologics.
- Each consignment must come with an AVA import licence. Different import licence requirements apply to different types of veterinary biologics, namely:
- Vaccines
- Pathogens
- Diagnostic Kits
- Genetically Modified Organisms
- Upon arrival in Singapore, each consignment will undergo inspection and sampling.
- AVA will audit the licensee’s storage or research premises.
Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics
To possess and import veterinary biologics (i.e. veterinary vaccines, and pathogens on AVA's select list), you must first obtain a Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics.
It comes in 2 categories:
- Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics (Commercial Purposes)
- Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics (Research and Development Purposes)
The Licence is valid for 1 year and should be renewed before it expires.
Below are the steps to apply for the Licence:
Step |
Description |
STEP 1: |
Download, print and complete the Application for a Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics. |
STEP 2: |
Submit the completed application form to:
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority
Agri Establishment Regulation Group
Veterinary Section, Licensing Department
52 Jurong Gateway Road
#09-01
Singapore 608550
Attn: Darren Kong
|
STEP 3: |
Pay an annual fee of S$45. |
STEP 4: |
After receiving your application, AVA officers will arrange and conduct an inspection visit to your storage or research premises to evaluate its suitability before the Licence can be issued.
Pay an inspection fee of S$63 per hour or part thereof.
|
STEP 5: |
You will be issued the Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics according to the Conditions for Possession of Biologics (i.e. for Trade or for Research and Development). |
For more information and conditions related to the Licence, please read Application Information.
After obtaining the Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics, you may proceed to apply for an AVA import licence for each of your consignments.
Different application requirements will apply, depending on the type of veterinary biologics you are bringing in. See the relevant sections below for more information.
Import Licence Requirements for Vaccines
Each import consignment of veterinary vaccines must be accompanied by an AVA import licence. In addition:
- You must have a Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics before importing vaccines.
- Veterinary vaccines would need to be evaluated by AVA’s Biologics Evaluation Committee (BEC) and registered with AVA before they can be imported. See AVA's List of Registered Vaccines . Note that all registered vaccines which have not been imported within 2 years after the date of registration or after the last import will be de-registered.
Apply for AVA Import Licence
You can apply for an AVA import licence for vaccines online via the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website.
Please note that you will have to log in to the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website and locate the specific import licensing service.
Type of licence |
Cost and validity |
Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics
|
- S$22 (normal service, issuance within 3 working days of submission of complete documents)
- S$44 (express service, issuance within 2 working days of submission of complete documents)
- Valid for 30 days from date of issuance
- Each licence allows you to import or transship 1 consignment
|
Download the relevant Veterinary Conditions documents listed below for more information on import requirements:
Registration of Vaccines
1. Application Requirements
You have to submit these items to AVA:
- Completed application form for registration of a vaccine together with a softcopy registration dossier
The registration of each vaccine costs S$210. The duration of the evaluation of the application will be based on the completeness of the information provided.
2. Submit dossiers and fee to AVA
Submit the application to AVA at:
52 Jurong Gateway Road
#14-01
Singapore 608550
Attn: BEC Secretariat
3. Import the registered vaccine
All registered vaccines which have not been imported within 2 years after the date of registration or after the last import will be de-registered.
Import Licence Requirements for Pathogens
Each import consignment of pathogens must be accompanied by an AVA import licence. In addition:
- You must have a Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics before importing pathogens.
- The pathogen you import must be approved by AVA. See AVA’s Select List of Pathogens for a non-exhaustive list of pathogens you can import.
Download the relevant Veterinary Conditions document listed below for more information on import requirements:
Apply for AVA Import Licence
Apply for an AVA import licence for pathogens via TradeNet.
The import licence fee is S$22 per consignment.
For pathogens that you have previously imported, the application process generally takes 1 working day.
For pathogens you are importing for the first time, you must submit a risk assessment in the attached format to AVA’s Biologics Evaluation Committee (BEC) for import consideration, via email to:
With approval, you may then proceed to apply for your import licence via TradeNet.
Import Licence Requirements for Samples for Diagnostic Testing
An example of a sample for diagnostic testing is blood serum imported for the Rabies Virus Antibody Indirect ELISA test at AVA’s Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC).
Below are the steps required to import blood serum into Singapore for rabies testing.
1. Apply for accreditation of veterinarian
Overseas veterinarians submitting blood samples to Singapore for the first time must apply for AVA accreditation. This accreditation is a one-off application.
Below are the steps the overseas veterinarian must follow:
STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
STEP 1: |
Download and complete AVA's form. |
STEP 2: |
Prepare:
- the completed form,
- a copy of your veterinary qualification, and
- your licence to practise in your country
|
STEP 3: |
Send the 3 prepared documents to AVA via either:
Fax: (65) 6316 1090 or
Email: Chan_Geok_Hua@ava.gov.sg |
2. Apply for AVA import licence
Apply online for an AVA import licence via the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website, once the submitting veterinarian has been accredited by AVA.
Please note that you will have to log in to the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website and locate the specific import licensing service.
Please attach either of the following as supporting documents:
The import licence will be processed and approved in 2 working days.
Do note that the original completed submission form and veterinary certificate from the submitting veterinarian (issued when the blood sample is taken) must accompany the shipment.
3. Ensure serum and packaging meets requirements
The import should meet the following conditions:
- The sample is serum, not whole blood.
- The amount of serum is at least 0.5 ml.
- Serum is stored in a screw-capped, leak-proof plastic tube. This sample tube is then wrapped in absorbent material (e.g. paper towel or cotton wool) and placed inside another leak-proof, unbreakable bottle, before being placed in the shipping container.
- The sample tube is labelled with the dog/cat's name and microchip number.
- The sample is shipped together with a cold frozen gel pack (not ice).
- The sample is shipped together with the original import licence, submission form and veterinary certificate.
- The delivery or shipping can be done at ambient temperature.
- Refrigeration of the sample during shipping is not required.
4. Inform APHC of Consignment Details
Inform APHC at (65) 6316 5188 of the consignment details once the shipment has been sent out.
5. Inform CAPQ or Tuas Checkpoint for sample inspection
a. For samples arriving as cargo
|
Inform AVA’s officers at Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) at (65) 6545 7523 once the shipment has been sent out to alert them on the arrival of the blood sample.
Importers are also required to send the blood serum to CAPQ for inspection before delivering it to APHC.
|
b. For hand-carried samples, by air |
Contact the AVA officers at CAPQ at (65) 6545 7523 at least 1 day before your arrival to alert them of the arrival of the blood sample.
Upon arrival in Singapore, surrender the blood sample to the 'Lost and Found' counter at the arrival hall. Then, make your way to CAPQ to collect the blood sample and deliver it directly to APHC personally.
Please note that the laboratory can only accept samples during office hours (8.00 am – 5.00 pm, Monday – Friday).
|
c. For hand-carried samples, by road (Tuas Checkpoint only) |
Contact the AVA officers at Tuas Checkpoint at (65) 6865 4758 at least 1 day before your arrival to alert them of the arrival of the blood sample.
Upon arrival in Singapore, go to the Cargo Clearance Lane and proceed to the AVA office for inspection. Then, deliver the blood sample directly to APHC personally.
Please note that the AVA office at Tuas is only open from 8.00 am – 1.00 pm.
|
If you are delivering the sample personally, you can pay the laboratory fee upon submission of the blood sample if you do not have a GIRO account with AVA.
The test result will be faxed and mailed to you or the submitting veterinarian (as specified) within a week after the receipt of the blood samples.
Animal and Plant Health Centre
Address |
Animal and Plant Health Centre
6 Perahu Road (off Lim Chu Kang Road)
Singapore 718827 |
Contact |
Tel: (65) 6316 5188
Fax: (65) 6316 1090 |
Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine Station
Address |
Operating Hours |
Gate C7, Airport Cargo Road
Changi Airfreight Centre
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine
Singapore 918104 |
Monday – Saturday:
8.00am – 1.00pm
2.00pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
|
Contact |
How to get there* |
Tel: (+65) 6545 7523
Fax: (+65) 6545 3023
|
Bus: 9, 19 and 89 (alight at the 3rd bus stop after Police Pass Office, along Airline Road)
MRT: Bedok (transfer to bus 9), Tampines (transfer to bus 19)
*This travel information is meant for commuters without pets, as animals are not allows on buses and MRT trains.
Download the detailed directions to CAPQ |
Tuas Checkpoint
Address |
Operating Hours |
Tuas Operations Command
501 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim (Block A4)
Singapore 639937 |
Monday – Saturday:
8.00am – 1.00pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays |
Contact |
Tel: (65) 6865 4758
Fax: (65) 6865 4759 |
Requirements for Genetically Modified Organisms
If you wish to import genetically modified organisms (e.g. viral genomes, micro-organisms) for the purpose of research, you should seek approval from the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC).
For more information, please contact the GMAC Secretariat at:
Tel: (65) 6826 6355
Fax: (65) 6478 9581
E-mail: info@gmac.gov.sg
AVA Inspection, Sampling & Audit of Premises
Inspection & Sampling
Importers of all Veterinary Biologics, except samples for diagnostic testing, are required to book an inspection via the AVA Inspection & Laboratory e-Services before the date of arrival.
Contact AVA Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) office 5 days before departure of the consignment to notify them of the planned date of departure.
Audit of Premises
To renew your Licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics, your storage or research premises must undergo AVA audit inspection, and your operations must be found satisfactory.
AVA officers may also carry out surprise checks on your premises as and when it is deemed fit.
Transshipment of Veterinary Biologics
An AVA transshipment licence is required for each shipment of veterinary biologics, which includes:
- veterinary vaccines, and
- pathogens on AVA's select list.
The fee for the transshipment licence is S$22 per consignment.
Veterinary Vaccines
Submit your application for a transshipment licence for veterinary vaccines online via the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website.
Please note that you will have to log in to the LicenceOne (AVA e-Licensing) website and locate the "Licence to Import/Export/Transship Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics".
Pathogens on AVA’s select list
Submit your application for a transshipment licence for pathogens via TradeNet.
You will need to provide the appropriate HS codes and product codes. For the lists of products codes, see Product Codes for TradeNet.