Question 1

What are the 4 country categories for importing pets to Singapore?

Accepted Answer

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) classifies exporting countries into four risk tiers: Category A (rabies-free: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland — 0 days quarantine, no rabies titer required); Category B (rabies-controlled: Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, USA [Hawaii and Guam only] — 0 days quarantine with valid rabies vaccination); Category C (e.g. USA mainland, Canada, European Union member states — 10 to 30 days quarantine or direct release under specific C1 residency conditions with RNATT titer); and Category D (high-risk rabies countries: India, China, Philippines, UAE, and all unlisted nations — mandatory RNATT titer test and 30 days quarantine at Sembawang).

Question 2

How do I apply for an AVS Import Licence on GoBusiness Singapore?

Accepted Answer

You must submit an application for an AVS Electronic Import Licence through the Singapore GoBusiness Licensing portal within 30 days prior to your pet’s scheduled arrival date. The licence costs SGD $50 per animal (with an optional express fee of SGD $100 for urgent processing within 3 working days) and remains valid for 30 days from issuance. You must upload your pet’s microchip record, vaccination history, RNATT titer laboratory report (if applicable), and confirmed Sembawang quarantine reservation code (if coming from Category C or D).

Question 3

How far in advance must I reserve quarantine space at Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS)?

Accepted Answer

Because the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC / SAQS) in Sembawang has strictly limited kennel and cattery capacity, quarantine accommodations must be booked through the online Quarantine Management System (QMS) at least 3 to 4 months prior to your intended arrival date. You cannot secure an AVS Import Licence for Category C or D pets without an active QMS reservation booking code.

Question 4

What rabies titer blood test (RNATT) score is required for Singapore?

Accepted Answer

For pets arriving from Category C and Category D origin countries, a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNATT / FAVN) serological blood test confirming an antibody level of at least 0.50 IU/mL is mandatory. The blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the qualifying rabies vaccination and between 30 days and 6 months prior to departure. The test must be processed by an AVS-recognized international reference laboratory.

Question 5

Which dog breeds are strictly prohibited from entering Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Under the Animals and Birds Act, AVS strictly prohibits the following dog breeds (and their crosses) from importation into Singapore: Pit Bull Terriers (including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully), Akita, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Neapolitan Mastiff, and any first-to-fourth generation (F1–F4) Bengal or Savannah hybrid cats.

Question 6

What are the housing restrictions for dogs in Singapore HDB government flats?

Accepted Answer

Under Housing & Development Board (HDB) regulations, residents of HDB flats are permitted to keep only one approved dog per household. The dog must belong to an approved small breed (maximum shoulder height of 50 cm and maximum body weight of 15 kg), or be a larger local mixed-breed dog adopted under the official Project ADORE scheme. In private residential condominiums and landed properties, up to three dogs are permitted per household.

Question 7

How much does it cost to import a pet into Singapore in total?

Accepted Answer

Total costs generally range between SGD $2,500 and $6,500+ depending on the origin country and quarantine requirements. Essential government fees include: AVS Import Licence ($50), CAPQ Changi Airport Inspection ($25–$80), Dog Licence ($15–$90/year), and Sembawang Quarantine ($24.20–$34.10/day for kennels, totaling approx. $750–$1,050 for 30 days). Additional private costs include veterinary clinical exams, USDA/CFIA endorsement, RNATT laboratory testing, IATA-compliant crates, and international manifest air freight ($1,500–$4,000+).

Question 8

When must the final clinical health examination and AVS Veterinary Health Certificate be completed?

Accepted Answer

The official Singapore AVS Veterinary Health Certificate must be completed and signed by an accredited veterinarian strictly within 7 days prior to departure. During this examination, the veterinarian must verify the 15-digit ISO microchip, certify freedom from infectious clinical disease, and administer mandatory internal parasite treatment (Praziquantel) and external parasite treatment (Fipronil or permethrin) administered between 2 and 7 days before departure.

AVS Category	Qualifying Origin Countries	Quarantine Duration	Rabies Titer (RNATT)	Min. Prep Lead Time
Category ARabies-Free Nations	Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom (Great Britain & Northern Ireland).	0 Days (Direct Release)	Exempt	30 to 45 Days
Category BRabies-Controlled	Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, USA (Hawaii and Guam only).	0 Days (Direct Release)	ExemptRabies vaccine mandatory	30 to 60 Days
Category CLow-Risk & EU	Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United States (Mainland 48 States & Alaska).	10 to 30 Days Mandatory10d under C1 rules, 30d under C2	Mandatory (≥ 0.5 IU/mL)Drawn 30d–6mo before flight	3 to 4 Months (QMS booking)
Category DHigh-Risk & Unlisted	All other unlisted countries worldwide (including India, China, Philippines, UAE, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Brazil).	30 Days MandatoryAt Sembawang Quarantine (SAQS)	Mandatory (≥ 0.5 IU/mL)Strict multi-vaccine history	4 to 6 Months

Expense Category	Description & Recipient Authority	Estimated Cost (SGD / USD)
AVS Import Licence	Statutory electronic import licence applied for on Singapore GoBusiness (valid 30 days).	SGD $50 ($38 USD)
CAPQ Changi Inspection Fee	Official veterinary port inspection at Changi Airport Airfreight Centre upon landing.	SGD $25 – $80
Sembawang Quarantine (SAQS)	30-day quarantine stay: Dog kennel ($24.20–$34.10/day) or Cat cattery ($18.70–$25.30/day).	SGD $750 – $1,050 (for 30 days)
RNATT Rabies Titer Test	Blood draw and international reference lab testing fee (Category C & D origins).	$200 – $400 USD
Veterinary Health Exam & Endorsement	Clinical pre-travel exam + USDA APHIS, CFIA, or DEFRA government endorsement fee.	$250 – $500 USD
International Air Freight & Crate	IATA-compliant live animal cargo booking, pet freight forwarding, and airport handling.	SGD $1,800 – $4,500+

How to Import a Pet to Singapore

Eligibility and Country Categories

Crucial: The AVS Continuous Residency Requirement

Step-by-Step Pet Import Process

Apply for an import licence

Prepare health and vaccination records

Book flight and quarantine

Quarantine at Arrival (Sembawang SAQS)

1. Changi Airport (CAPQ) Port-of-Entry Inspection

2. Life at Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS)

Breed Restrictions and Dog Licensing

Prohibited Dog & Cat Breeds

Dog Licensing & HDB Housing Regulations

Costs and Timeline

Preparation Timeline Roadmap

Frequently Asked Questions About Singapore Pet Import