BRINGING A DOG FROMAustralia →to Singapore

Continuously resident in the country of export or another Schedule I country for at least 6 months before export, or since birth, or since being imported directly from Singapore. A pet that spent less than 6 months in a Schedule I country after living elsewhere is treated as coming from the earlier country.

ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A microchip; its number must appear on all vaccination and treatment records and is checked by the vet within 7 days before export. With a non-ISO chip the owner must bring a reader to the point of entry.

Not required for Schedule I.

Distemper (CDV), adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) and parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), per the vaccine manufacturer, at least 14 days before export. Puppies under 16 weeks: at least 2 doses, the first no earlier than 6 weeks of age, the second at least 2 weeks before export.

External parasites (fleas and ticks) and internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes), both 2–7 days before export; product, active ingredient and date go on the health certificate.

At least 12 weeks old at export.

AVS's own certificate template (in the Schedule I PDF). Sections I–III completed by a government-approved or official vet (identity, residence, vaccines, parasite treatments, not pregnant, not a prohibited breed, clinical exam); Section IV endorsed by an official government veterinarian of the exporting country, who also certifies that no rabies case has been reported in that country for at least 24 months. Dated no more than 7 days before export; valid 7 days. Travel with the original certificate and the original vaccination certificate bearing the microchip number.

First-time cat/dog licence applicants must first complete AVS's free online Pet Ownership Course (about 20–30 minutes; foreigners without Singpass register manually with a passport number).

Singapore cat/dog licence on the Pet Animal Licensing System (pals.avs.gov.sg) BEFORE applying for the import licence; the approved licence is attached to the import licence application.

AVS "Licence to Import/Export/Transship Non-Food Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics (personal)" via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. S$50 (issued 2 working days after a complete application) or S$100 express (1 working day). Valid 90 days from issue, no extension. Mixed/cross-breed dogs: attach a colour photo of face and body. Must be obtained before shipment and shown at check-in.

Appoint an AVS-recognised pet agent before arrival; since 1 April 2026 only these agents may carry out import clearance at Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) and deliver the pet home. Owners may no longer enter the Changi Airfreight Centre. (Stated for CAPQ/air arrivals; not stated for Tuas land arrivals.)

Book the arrival inspection on AVS eServices (avs-eservices.nparks.gov.sg) with the import licence number and flight details — at least 5 working days before arrival per the Veterinary Conditions (the web pages say 5 days). Without a booking the inspection costs S$133 per hour.

Captain's declaration (AVS template, signed by the captain or authorised airline staff of every flight): the pet was loaded in the exporting country, stayed in a tamper-proof sealed cage and had no contact with other animals; if landed en route it stayed in its crate within the airport. A change of aircraft needs prior AVS permission. If the seal is broken at airport security, airport/airline staff complete a re-sealing declaration. Transit through a Schedule III country is allowed with this declaration. Hand it in at the arrival inspection.

IATA Live Animals Regulations container. Pets flying in the cabin must also bring a rigid IATA hard crate for the transfer to CAPQ; soft bags are not accepted.

By air: cabin pets are handed to the Lost & Found counter in the arrival hall (before immigration); all pets go to CAPQ, where AVS checks import licence, health certificate, cat/dog licence, vaccination records, captain's declaration and the GST permit/relief, scans the chip and examines the pet. Released to the agent if healthy. By land: inspection at Tuas Checkpoint. CAPQ hours Mon–Tue 9am–5pm, Wed–Fri 9am–8pm, closed weekends and public holidays; pets arriving after hours wait with the ground handler until the next working day.