Moving Your Pet to Singapore: The Complete 2026 Guide

Your Singapore Adventure Awaits, But What About Your Furry Co-Pilot?

The decision is made: you’re moving to Singapore. Between immigration paperwork, shipping arrangements and finding a new home, one question can quickly become the most stressful of all: how do you bring your pet with you?

Your pet is not simply another item on the relocation checklist. However, Singapore treats the importation of animals very seriously, and the process involves veterinary procedures, licences, Customs clearance and, in some cases, quarantine.

The exact requirements depend largely on the country or region from which your dog or cat is exported. Timing matters too. Some veterinary steps must be completed several months before travel, while others can only be completed during the final week.

This guide explains the process in a more manageable sequence, from checking your pet’s eligibility to clearing the arrival inspection in Singapore.

Last reviewed: July 2026. Singapore’s country classifications, fees and veterinary conditions can change, so always recheck the AVS requirements shortly before your pet travels.

‍

Table of Contents

• The Critical First Step: Is Your Pet Permitted in Singapore?‍
• The Health Gauntlet: A Step-by-Step Veterinary Timeline‍
• ‍The Paper Trail: Your Pet's Official Entry Visas‍
• ‍Quarantine Explained: A Temporary Stay at the AQC or Home?‍
• ‍The Financial Fur-cast: Budgeting for Your Pet's Big Move‍
• Finding the Purr-fect Home: Kucing's Guide to Pet-Friendly Housing‍
• Wheels Up: A Smooth and Stress-Free Flight‍
• Welcome to the Lion City: Arrival and Acclimation‍
• Exploring Your New Home: Singapore's Top Pet-Friendly Spots

‍

The Critical First Step: Is Your Pet Permitted in Singapore?

Before booking flights, veterinary appointments or a relocation company, confirm that your dog or cat can legally be imported and kept at your intended Singapore residence.

Singapore prohibits the importation of several dog breeds and their crosses:

• Pit Bull, including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Bulldog
• Akita
• Boerboel
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tosa
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Crosses involving any of the breeds above

First- to fourth-generation Bengal and Savannah cat crosses are also prohibited. A Bengal or Savannah cross may only be imported when documentary evidence proves that it is at least five generations removed from its ancestral wildcat stock.

Mixed-breed dog owners should prepare clear veterinary records and other evidence of breed where necessary. AVS may require sufficient information to determine that the animal is not a prohibited breed or prohibited cross.

Your pet must also be at least 12 weeks old at the time of export. AVS advises owners to consider whether the animal’s age, health and medical condition make it suitable for air travel, particularly for very young or small dogs that may be more vulnerable to heat stress or low blood sugar.

Check the rules for your future home

Being allowed into Singapore does not automatically mean your pet can be kept in every property.

Under the current residential limits:

• An HDB flat may generally keep up to two cats and one approved small-breed dog.
• Specified dog breeds are not permitted in HDB flats.
• A private residential property may generally keep up to three cats or dogs in total, including a combination of both.
• Of those three animals, no more than one may be a Specified dog.

Approval may be required from AVS to keep more than the usual limit in private premises. Condominium by-laws, MCST rules and landlord conditions may also be stricter than the general AVS limit.

This guide covers dogs and cats. Rabbits, birds, reptiles and other animals are subject to separate import conditions, so do not assume that the same procedure applies.

‍

‍

The Health Gauntlet: A Step-by-Step Veterinary Timeline

There is no single veterinary timeline for every pet. The first task is to identify the rabies-risk schedule assigned to the exporting country or region.

• Schedule I: Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom
• Schedule II: Designated lower-risk countries and regions including France, most of Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Japan and Hong Kong SAR
• Schedule III: Any country or region not included in Schedule I or Schedule II

AVS may change these classifications, so check the current list before beginning the process and again closer to travel. The country from which the flight departs is not necessarily the only consideration. The veterinary certificate also addresses where the pet has been continuously resident before export.

Step 1: Implant an ISO-compliant microchip

Your dog or cat should be implanted with a microchip compliant with ISO Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785 Annex A.

The microchip number must appear consistently across vaccination records, laboratory results, veterinary certificates, pet licence information and import documents. For practical purposes, have the microchip implanted before completing the vaccinations and blood tests that will be used for the import application.

A single mistyped digit can turn an otherwise perfect file into a paperwork hairball, so ask the veterinarian to scan and confirm the chip at each important appointment.

Step 2: Complete the rabies requirements

The rabies requirements depend on your pet’s schedule.

Pets from Schedule I

Dogs and cats exported from Schedule I countries or regions do not require a rabies vaccination or rabies serology test under the Schedule I import protocol, provided all other veterinary conditions are satisfied.

Pets from Schedule II or Schedule III

Your dog or cat must have a valid rabies vaccination using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine accepted by AVS.

A blood sample for the rabies-neutralising antibody test must then be collected:

• At least 28 days after the valid primary rabies vaccination or last rabies booster
• At least 90 days before export
• No more than 12 months before export

The result must show a rabies-neutralising antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be carried out by an accepted laboratory, such as a WOAH reference laboratory for rabies or another laboratory approved by the relevant competent authority.

The 90-day waiting period begins on the date the successful blood sample is taken, not when the laboratory issues its report.

Because of this waiting period, owners importing from Schedule II or III countries should normally start preparing at least four months before the intended export date. Complicated vaccination histories or failed serology results may require considerably more time.

Step 3: Ensure core vaccinations are valid

Dogs must have valid vaccinations against:

• Canine distemper virus
• Canine adenovirus type 1
• Canine parvovirus type 2

Cats must have valid vaccinations against:

• Feline calicivirus
• Feline herpesvirus-1
• Feline panleukopaenia virus

Vaccination must follow the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations and generally be completed at least 14 days before export. Additional dose requirements apply to young animals, particularly those under 16 weeks old. Records should include the microchip number, vaccination date, vaccine brand and batch number, and the veterinarian’s endorsement.

Step 4: Complete the final parasite treatments

Between two and seven days before export, your pet must receive:

• A treatment effective against external parasites such as fleas and ticks
• A treatment effective against internal parasites, including nematodes and cestodes

The product, active ingredient and treatment date must be recorded on the AVS veterinary health certificate.

Step 5: Complete the veterinary health certificate

Use the specific veterinary health certificate included in the AVS conditions for the appropriate schedule. A general “fit to fly” letter is not an adequate substitute.

The certificate must be dated no more than seven days before export. The treating or government-approved veterinarian completes the relevant sections, after which the exporting country’s official government veterinarian must endorse the certification

‍

‍

The Paper Trail: Your Pet's Official Entry Visas

The administrative process should be completed in a deliberate order. Several applications depend on approvals or documents obtained during an earlier step.

1. Complete the Pet Ownership Course

First-time applicants for either a cat or dog licence must complete AVS’s online Pet Ownership Course before applying for a new licence. This requirement now applies to first-time cat licence applicants as well as dog licence applicants.

2. Obtain a Singapore cat or dog licence

Your pet must have a Singapore cat or dog licence before you can apply for its import licence.

The licence is obtained through the Pet Animal Licensing System, or PALS. You will need the pet’s microchip number and may need supporting documents relating to its import, sterilisation status or breed.

The address registered on the pet licence must be the address where the animal is kept. Changes of address must be updated through PALS.

3. Arrange quarantine approval where required

For a Schedule II pet requiring home quarantine, submit the home-quarantine application and obtain AVS approval before applying for the import licence.

For a Schedule III pet, reserve space at the Animal Quarantine Centre through the Quarantine Management System. AVS recommends making the reservation once the rabies serology result is available. Vaccination records will be required during the reservation process.

4. Apply for the AVS import licence

The import licence can be applied for within 90 days of the pet’s arrival date and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

A personal import licence costs S$50 per consignment. AVS states that normal processing takes two working days after all completed documents have been submitted, but owners should leave additional time for questions or corrections.

This replaces the previous advice that the licence is valid for only 30 days.

5. Complete the Singapore Customs requirements

The importation of personal pets is subject to GST. However, people genuinely transferring their residence to Singapore may apply for GST relief.

Customs may consider relief when satisfied that:

• You own the pet
• The import is personal and non-commercial
• You will not sell, dispose of or transfer the pet within three months of import
• You have owned the pet for at least three months
• The pet is imported within six months of your first arrival in Singapore in connection with the relocation

GST relief is assessed case by case and is not automatic. Importantly, Customs’ three-month ownership test is separate from the AVS requirement used to determine Schedule II quarantine.

When your pet travels separately from you

For an unaccompanied pet travelling on a different flight, ship or vehicle:

1. Obtain the required AVS approval and import licence.
2. Submit a Declaration of Facts to Singapore Customs at least five working days before arrival.
3. If relief is approved, you or your appointed agent must obtain a Customs In-Non-Payment permit within ten working days of the approval.
4. If relief is not approved, a Customs In-Payment permit must be obtained and GST paid before import.

When your pet travels on the same transport as you

For a pet arriving on the same flight, ship or vehicle as its owner:

1. Obtain the required AVS approval and import licence.
2. Submit the Customs application for accompanied personal pets.
3. Submit it with the required supporting documents at least five working days before arrival.
4. If approved, retain the approval email and supporting documents for presentation during collection and clearance.

If relief is not granted, a Customs In-Payment permit will be required.

A recognised pet agent or local forwarding agent can assist with the TradeNet and Customs permit process where necessary.

6. Book the arrival inspection

Book the AVS border-control inspection at least five working days before arrival. You will need the AVS import licence number, flight details and a Singapore contact number.

Arriving without an inspection appointment may incur a fee of S$133 per hour or part thereof, even when the inspection takes place during normal operating hours.

7. Prepare the original travel file

Depending on the applicable schedule and travel arrangements, prepare the following:

• AVS import licence
• Singapore cat or dog licence
• AVS veterinary health certificate
• Original vaccination records
• Rabies serology report for Schedule II and III pets
• Captain’s or authorised airline staff declaration where required
• Customs GST permit or GST-relief approval
• Quarantine approval or reservation documents where applicable
• Flight and cargo documentation

Keep electronic copies, but travel with the original documents when the veterinary conditions require originals.

‍

‍

Quarantine Explained: A Temporary Stay at the AQC or Home?

Singapore’s quarantine rules are now organised under three schedules rather than the old “Category I, II and III” terminology.

Schedule I

Schedule I currently covers:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland
• United Kingdom

No post-arrival quarantine is required when the animal fully complies with the Schedule I veterinary conditions and is clinically healthy upon arrival.

Schedule II

Schedule II currently includes Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, 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 except Ceuta and Melilla, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States.

A personal Schedule II import can avoid quarantine only when both of the following conditions are met:

1. The pet is imported less than five days apart from the owner’s movement into Singapore.
2. The pet has continuously lived at the same residential address as the owner for more than six months before the Singapore import date.

This is stricter than simply proving that you have legally owned the pet for six months.

When a personal Schedule II import does not meet these conditions, the pet must undergo a minimum ten-day home quarantine, subject to AVS approval. This can include newly adopted or rescued pets and animals obtained overseas less than six months before export.

AVS uses smart collar tags to confirm that pets remain at the approved quarantine premises. The current charge is S$29 per animal per day or part thereof for eligible pets using the smart tag.

Commercial Schedule II imports undergo at least ten days of quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre rather than home quarantine.

Schedule III

Schedule III covers every country or region not listed under Schedule I or Schedule II.

Schedule III dogs and cats must undergo at least 30 days of quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre. They are also vaccinated against rabies after arrival in Singapore. A confirmed AQC reservation is required before import.

AQC capacity is limited, so quarantine should never be treated as a last-minute booking.

‍

‍

The Financial Fur-cast: Budgeting for Your Pet's Big Move

The total relocation cost depends heavily on the pet’s size, country of export, veterinary fees, airline arrangements, crate dimensions, Customs treatment and whether quarantine is required.

Current official AVS charges include:

• Personal import licence: S$50 per consignment
• CAPQ accommodation, where required: S$35 per dog or cat per day or part thereof
• Transport from CAPQ to AQC: S$75 per dog or cat per trip
• AQC quarantine with fan and feed: S$26 per animal per day
• Air-conditioned AQC quarantine with feed: S$35 per animal per day
• Rabies vaccination administered by AVS where applicable: S$68 per animal
• Unbooked CAPQ inspection: S$133 per hour or part thereof
• Schedule II home-quarantine smart tag: S$29 per animal per day or part thereof

Veterinary consultations, microchipping, vaccinations, laboratory serology, government endorsement, Customs declarations, agent fees, airline cargo charges and the travel crate are separate

Cat and dog licence fees

Until 31 August 2026, pet cats remain under the Cat Management Framework’s transitional licensing arrangements.

From 1 September 2026, a unified cat and dog licence fee schedule applies. For the first three cats and dogs, current published rates include:

• One year: S$15 for a sterilised pet or S$90 for a non-sterilised pet
• Two years: S$25 for a sterilised pet or S$165 for a non-sterilised pet
• One-time lifetime licence: S$35 for a sterilised pet
• Three years: S$230 for a non-sterilised pet

Different fees apply to fourth and subsequent animals, subject to approval and residential limits.

A DIY relocation may reduce professional fees, but mistakes involving the serology date, microchip number, health certificate or Customs permit can be expensive. Owners should be realistic about whether they have the time and confidence to coordinate every moving part themselves.

‍

Finding the Purr-fect Home: Kucing's Guide to Pet-Friendly Housing

Import approval is only half of the puzzle. You must also find a home where the pet can legally and contractually live.

For HDB flats, the general limit is two cats and one approved small-breed dog. Specified dogs are not allowed. Cats should be kept safely within the premises, and owners remain responsible for preventing nuisance or danger to neighbours.

Private condominiums and landed homes provide more flexibility, with a general limit of three cats or dogs in total. However, the property’s MCST, house rules and landlord may impose additional restrictions.

Before paying a deposit, confirm in writing:

• That the landlord accepts your exact number, species and breed of pets
• Whether the condominium has breed, size or common-area restrictions
• Whether additional cleaning, pest-control or reinstatement obligations apply
• Whether the tenancy agreement contains a pet clause
• Whether window or balcony meshing is permitted
• Whether any additional pet deposit is required and when it will be returned

Do not rely only on a listing marked “pet-friendly”. A landlord may accept one cat but not two, or a small dog but not a large dog.

Kucing can help you browse Singapore rental listings and communicate directly with owners or property agents. Mention your pet early, including its breed, age, approximate weight and temperament, so that unsuitable homes can be filtered out before viewings begin.

‍

Wheels Up: A Smooth and Stress-Free Flight

Airline rules vary significantly. Some airlines accept small pets in the passenger cabin, while others transport pets as checked baggage or manifested cargo. Breed, route, aircraft type, temperature and transit airport restrictions can all affect acceptance.

Contact the airline before purchasing your own ticket and ask:

• How the pet will be transported
• Whether the route accepts live animals
• Whether an AVS-recognised pet agent is required
• Which IATA container specification applies
• Whether any breed or seasonal temperature restrictions apply
• Who will prepare the captain’s or airline declaration
• What happens during a transit or aircraft change

AVS requires transport containers to comply with the latest IATA Live Animals Regulations.

Even when a small pet travels in the cabin or as excess baggage, you must provide a rigid IATA-compliant crate for the transfer from the airport to CAPQ. Soft-sided bags are not accepted for that transfer.

Start crate training well before travel. The animal should be able to stand naturally, turn around and lie down comfortably. Introduce the crate gradually using meals, familiar bedding and short periods with the door closed.

Sedation is generally discouraged for air travel unless specifically directed by a veterinarian who understands the journey and airline requirements. Discuss anxiety, hydration and feeding with your veterinarian instead of improvising on departure day.

‍

‍

Welcome to the Lion City: Arrival and Acclimation

Dogs and cats arriving by air are inspected at the Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine Station within the Changi Airfreight Centre.

During clearance, AVS may:

• Verify the import and pet licences
• Review the health certificate and vaccination records
• Review the rabies serology report
• Check the captain’s declaration where applicable
• Verify the Customs GST permit or GST-relief approval
• Scan the microchip
• Conduct a clinical examination

When the documents are correct and the animal is healthy, the pet will either be released to the owner or agent, transferred to the Animal Quarantine Centre, or begin approved home quarantine.

Owners importing pets as manifested cargo should make the required arrangements with an AVS-recognised pet agent before arrival.

Large crates exceeding 82 cm long by 64 cm high by 58 cm wide must be collected personally by the owner or agent after clearance. Uncollected oversized crates may be transferred to a private contractor, creating an additional charge.

Helping your pet settle in

Singapore’s heat and humidity may require an adjustment period, especially for pets arriving from a cooler climate.

During the first few weeks:

• Schedule dog walks during the cooler early-morning or evening hours
• Keep fresh water readily available
• Provide a cool, well-ventilated indoor resting space
• Introduce new food gradually
• Maintain year-round flea, tick and parasite prevention
• Watch for excessive panting, lethargy, poor appetite or digestive problems
• Register with a local veterinary clinic before an urgent problem arises

Allow your pet to explore the new home gradually. A quiet room containing familiar bedding, toys, food and water can make the first few days less overwhelming.

‍

Exploring Your New Home: Singapore's Top Pet-Friendly Spots

Once the veterinary paperwork has stopped multiplying on your desk, Singapore offers numerous parks, park connectors and designated dog runs to explore.

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is one established option, with a large enclosed dog-run area. NParks also maintains an online directory of parks and dog-friendly facilities across Singapore. Dogs should be supervised inside dog runs, kept healthy and appropriately vaccinated, and owners must clean up after them.

Other options include:

• Neighbourhood dog runs
• Park Connector Network routes
• Waterfront walks at selected coastal parks
• Pet-friendly outdoor dining venues
• Pet-oriented community events and adoption gatherings

Pet policies at cafés, malls, beaches and attractions can change, so confirm the venue’s latest rules before travelling across the island with a panting passenger in the back seat.

For cat owners, Singapore living is generally more indoor-focused. Secure window meshing, balcony safety, scratching areas, climbing structures and shaded resting spaces can make a significant difference, particularly in high-rise properties.

Welcome to Singapore. With early preparation, accurate paperwork and the right home, your pet’s relocation can become less of a bureaucratic obstacle course and more of the beginning of a new chapter together.

‍