Dogs & Cats

Importing From Singapore

Key Requirements for Importing Dogs & Cats into Singapore

Bringing a dog or cat into Singapore requires a strict, step-by-step process that must be followed carefully. The specific requirements are determined by the rabies-risk category of the country the pet is coming from.

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Step by Step Guide for Importing Dogs & Cats

1.

Determine the Country Rabies Category

The first and most important step is to identify the country’s category, as this dictates all veterinary and quarantine conditions.

  • Schedule I: (Negligible Risk) Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom.
  • Schedule II: (Controlled Risk) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, New Caledonia, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, USA.
  • Schedule III: (All other countries not listed in I or II)

2.

Check Breed and Housing Eligibility
  • Prohibited Breeds: Certain breeds are not allowed in Singapore.
    • Dogs: Pit Bull, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Perro De Presa Canario, and their crosses.
    • Cats: First to fourth-generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses. (5th generation and above require documentation).
  • Housing Rules: You must ensure your pet is allowed in your intended residence (e.g., HDB flats have specific rules, such as allowing only one approved non-specified dog).

3.

Vaccinations and Testing
  • Microchip: The pet must be microchipped before any vaccinations.
  • General Vaccinations:
    • Dogs: Must have valid vaccinations against Canine Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvovirus.
    • Cats: Must have valid vaccinations against Feline Calicivirus, Herpesvirus-1, and Panleukopaenia.
  • Rabies Vaccination & Serology (Schedule II & III only):
    • Pets from Schedule I do not need rabies vaccination.
    • Pets from Schedule II & III must have a valid rabies vaccination.
    • A blood sample for a rabies serology (titer) test must be taken at least 28 days after vaccination.

4.

Reserve Quarantine Space
  • Schedule I: No quarantine required.
  • Schedule II:
    • 10-day quarantine at AQC (Animal Quarantine Centre) for pets imported commercially.
    • 10-day home quarantine may be an option for personal imports, but only if the owner enters Singapore within 5 days of the pet and has owned the pet for at least 6 months. An application for home quarantine is required.
  • Schedule III:
    • Minimum 30-day quarantine at the AQC is mandatory.
    • Quarantine space must be booked in advance, and vaccination records must be provided.

5.

Obtain Import Licences
  • Dog Licence: If importing a dog, you must apply for and obtain a dog licence before applying for the import licence.
  • Import Licence: You must apply for an import licence. This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

6.

Final Pre-Departure Preparations
  • Veterinary Health Certificate: Within 7 days of export, you must obtain a veterinary health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, using the specific template provided by AVS. This must be endorsed by the official government veterinarian of the exporting country.
  • Parasite Treatments: The pet must be treated for internal and external parasites 2 to 7 days before departure, and this must be recorded on the health certificate.

7.

Arrival in Singapore
  • Upon arrival, the pet and all original documents (import licence, health certificate, vaccination records, etc.) will be inspected by AVS.
  • If all conditions are met, pets from Schedule I will be released. Pets from Schedules II and III will be transferred to their designated quarantine location.

“Kindly take note that the requirements may change from time to time. Please always check with us for the latest requirements and processes.”

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Services We Provide

Import & Export
Permit Applications
Quarantine Booking
& Coordination
Full Vaccination
Checks
External & Internal
Parasite Treatment
Health Inspection
Government & Vet
Endorsements
Customs Clearance
At Changi Airport
IATA-Compliant
Flight Bookings
IATA-Approved
Pet Crate Supply
Rabies Titer
Test (RNATT)
Nipah Virus Test
Microchipping
& Vaccine

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We understand how important pets are to their owners. That's why we provide safe and reliable transportation solutions to ensure that wherever your journey takes you, we'll get your pet there too.
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