Before deciding to import a dog or cat into Singapore, you should consider how its age, medical condition(s), and the stress of travel could affect it during the journey.
You should also purchase a suitable animal container to house the animal and make the necessary arrangements with the airline(s) involved in the journey. If your dog or cat is traveling inside the cabin, you are required to bring a suitable animal container to facilitate the transport of your dog or cat from Changi airport to AVS quarantine facilities.
Steps to Take Before Importing Dogs and Cats into Singapore
1. Identify exporting country/region rabies risk category
Countries/ Regions of export are categorized according to their rabies risk status. Dogs and cats coming from each country or region category are subject to different veterinary conditions.
Rabies Risk Categorisation
Category A
Countries/Regions of export free from rabies:
Australia
New Zealand
Republic of Ireland
United Kingdom
Category B
Countries/Regions of export with negligible risk of rabies:
Austria
Belgium
Bermuda
Cayman Islands
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong SAR
Iceland
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
New Caledonia
Norway
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
USA (Guam and Hawaii only)
Category C
Countries/Regions of export with controlled risk or low incidence of rabies:
Canada
Cyprus
Estonia
Greece (with effect from 2 Dec 2022)
Latvia
Republic of Korea
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Taiwan
United States of America (except Guam and Hawaii)
Category D
Countries/Regions of export with an undetermined risk of rabies:
All countries are not listed in Categories A, B, and C.
Veterinary conditions for the import of dogs and cats vary depending on which country or region the animal comes from.
These conditions include sending the animal for vaccinations, blood tests, and parasite treatments. Some conditions need to be fulfilled within specific time frames, so read the conditions for import carefully before you begin your application process.
2a. Ensure the breed of dog or cat you are importing is allowed in Singapore.
Breeds of dogs 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 of these and other breeds.
Akita.
Boerboel.
Dogo Argentino.
Fila Brasileiro.
Neapolitan Mastiff.
Tosa.
Perro De Presa Canario.
Crosses of any of the above breeds.
Breeds of cats not allowed in Singapore
First to fourth generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses.
You are required to produce documentary proof of the following before import:
The Bengal cat cross you are importing is at least a fifth-generation cross from the ancestral stock of Prionailurus bengalensis.
The Savannah cat cross you are importing is at least a fifth-generation cross from the ancestral stock of Leptailurus serval.
2b. Ensure your dog or cat is allowed at your intended residence in Singapore.
Number of dogs or cats allowed per Housing Development Board (HDB) residential flat.
One
Number of dogs or cats allowed per unit of non-HDB residential premises.
Up to three.
3. Send your dog or cat for a rabies vaccination and a serology test.
Dogs and cats coming from Category B, C, or D countries must have a valid rabies vaccination supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore. Current vaccinations and booster dates must be recorded.
A blood sample taken and tested for acceptable rabies antibody levels at least 30 days after the above vaccination must also be done for these dogs and cats. The antibody level must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Please make sure that at each veterinary visit for testing or vaccination, the dog or cat must be scanned, and the microchip number must be recorded on all documentation. Currently, we only recognize WOAH-recommended tests for international trade for rabies, which are the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralising (FAVN) Test and the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT).
4. Send your dog or cat for general vaccinations.
Dogs must have a valid vaccination against canine distemper, canine hepatitis, and canine parvoviral infection supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore.
Cats must have valid vaccinations against cat flu (feline calicivirus and feline viral rhinotracheitis) and cat enteritis (i.e., feline panleukopenia/ feline parvovirus) supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore.
Please make sure the dog’s or cat’s microchip number is indicated in all vaccination records.
5. Reserve quarantine space.
Dogs and cats from Category C or D countries must be quarantined at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) upon their arrival in Singapore.
Dogs and cats from Category C countries must be quarantined for either 10 days (Category C1) or 30 days (Category C2).
Dogs and cats from Category D countries must be quarantined for at least 30 days.
Dogs and cats from Category A or B countries are not required to undergo quarantine provided all veterinary conditions for import are met, and the animals are clinically healthy upon arrival.
Please note that animals undergoing quarantine in AQC are required to provide their animal’s vaccination records (both rabies and general vaccination records) when reserving a quarantine space in QMS. This is to ensure that animals are adequately protected prior to quarantine in AQC. Examples of a valid vaccination record include vaccination cards or certificates containing the following information:
Microchip number of the animal
Date of vaccination
Vaccine brand name and batch number
Signature/endorsement of the attending veterinarian
6. Obtain a dog license before applying for an import license.
Dog Licence
If you are importing a dog, you must obtain a dog license before applying for an import license.
Import license
An import license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. You can apply for and obtain an import license via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal.
If you are bringing in a mixed-breed or cross-breed dog, you must include a colour photo of your dog in your license application. The photo must show the dog’s face and body, so that we can verify that it is not a prohibited breed.
7. Book an inspection for your dog or cat
Book an inspection for your dog or cat via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST) five days before the animal’s arrival or earlier. Bringing your dog or cat for inspection without making an appointment will subject you to an S$80 fee. The AVS import license, flight details, and contact number must be indicated in your iFAST booking.
Please avoid these inspection timings:
• Mondays to Saturdays, 10.30 pm – 8 am.
• Sundays and Public Holidays.
Dogs and cats entering Singapore by air are inspected at our border control office located at Changi Airfreight Centre. The operating hours are:
Mondays to Saturdays, 8am-1pm and 2pm-10.30pm.
Sundays and Public Holidays, closed.
Please note that for dogs and cats arriving via air, the time of inspection is at least one and a half hours upon arrival in Singapore.
Dogs and cats entering Singapore from Malaysia via land can only enter from Tuas Checkpoint from 8 to 10 am from Mondays to Saturdays.
Collection of pet container at CAPQ/Tuas
All pet containers (i.e. carriers and crates) exceeding the external dimensions of 82cm (L) by 64cm (H) by 58cm (W) (see picture attached) must be collected personally by pet owners/agents upon clearance at Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ)/Tuas Checkpoint.
Pet containers that are not collected at CAPQ/Tuas will be transferred to private transport contractors assigned by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS).
AVS will share the contact details of these private pet transporters with pet owners/agents, who will need to contact them directly to retrieve the pet containers. Additional fees will be incurred.
All pet containers used for the transportation of pets must comply with the latest International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.
8. Send your dog or cat for parasite treatments and obtain a veterinary health certificate.
You must obtain a veterinary health certificate certifying that your dog or cat fulfills the required veterinary conditions for import, is healthy, and is free from any clinical sign of contagious or infectious disease and is fit for travel at the time of export.
Step A: Download and print the veterinary health certificate template from the relevant veterinary conditions form.
Step B: Your dog or cat must be treated for external and internal parasites. The treating licensed veterinarian must complete the certificate which you printed.
Step C: Have the completed certificate endorsed by the exporting country’s government veterinarian.
9. Present your dog’s or cat’s import license during check-in
During check-in, present your dog’s or cat’s import license. If your dog or cat comes from Category A or B countries, you also need to obtain a signed captain’s declaration form endorsed by the transporting airline(s).
*Emotional Support/Service Animals
If you are travelling with an emotional support animal, ensure that you have checked-in an IATA approved transport container as the animal will be transported from Changi passenger terminal to AVS quarantine facilities. Upon handing over the animal to the lost and found counter, owners must transfer their emotional support/service animal to their IATA approved transport crates.