Pet Import Singapore: How to Bring a Dog into Singapore

Bringing a dog into Singapore is equal parts exciting and administrative. The good news is that the AVS process is very structured. The tricky part is that a few steps are time-gated (especially rabies serology), and one big operational change kicks in from 1 April 2026.

This guide gives you a Singapore-specific, step-by-step flow for importing a dog, including what changes from 1 April 2026, what documents commonly trip people up, and a printable checklist you can use as your ‘paw-sport’ plan.

Compliance notice (read this first)

1 April 2026 change: CAPQ (Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station) operating hours will be adjusted, and only AVS-recognised pet agents will be permitted to handle import clearance procedures at CAPQ. Pet owners will no longer be permitted to enter Changi Airfreight Centre where CAPQ is located.

Rabies risk schedules can change. AVS states the rabies risk categorisation is subject to change, so verify your export country’s schedule close to your import date.

For anything time-sensitive (country schedule, forms, operating hours), treat AVS and Singapore Customs pages as the source of truth.

Quick checklist: How to import a dog into Singapore

• Microchip to ISO 11784/11785 Annex A and make sure the microchip number appears on all vaccination and treatment records.
• Confirm your exporting country/region’s rabies schedule (I, II, or III) on AVS close to travel.
• If Schedule II or III: complete rabies vaccination and rabies serology timing gates (28 days after vaccination; blood sampling 90 days to 12 months before export, plus lab requirements).
• Ensure core vaccinations are valid, and your records contain the required fields (including microchip number, dates, vaccine brand and batch, and vet endorsement).
• Plan quarantine (none, home quarantine, or AQC) and book what you need when required.
• Obtain your dog licence on PALS before applying for an AVS import licence.
• Apply for the AVS import licence within the stated window. The licence is valid for 90 days from date of issue.
• Arrange your Customs In-Payment (GST) permit or GST relief pathway early enough to meet lead times.
• Book your CAPQ inspection appointment at least 5 days before arrival to avoid the no-appointment fee.
• 2 to 7 days before export: parasite treatments + veterinary health certificate completed and endorsed by the exporting country’s official government veterinarian; captain’s declaration where applicable.
• Arrival and clearance at CAPQ: process differs for excess baggage versus manifested cargo; from 1 April 2026, your appointed pet agent executes clearance and transport.

What changes from 1 April 2026 (CAPQ changes)

1) CAPQ operating hours will change

Because operating hours are operational details, confirm the latest hours on the CAPQ page near your travel date.

2) Agent-only clearance at CAPQ

From 1 April 2026, only AVS-recognised pet agents can handle import clearance procedures at CAPQ. You will need to appoint an AVS-recognised pet agent before your dog arrives. The agent handles documentary clearance and subsequent transport after clearance. Pet owners cannot enter Changi Airfreight Centre where CAPQ is located.

3) Transfer timing to AQC matters more

If your dog requires post-arrival quarantine at AQC, note the published transfer hours from CAPQ to AQC. Pets arriving after the day’s transfer window may be held at CAPQ overnight and transferred on the next working day.

Step-by-step: AVS process to import a dog into Singapore

Use this as your master sequence. A pet shipper can execute many steps, but you still want to understand the ‘gates’ that commonly fail.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility (age, microchip, breed, residence rules)

Minimum age and microchip

• Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of export.

• Your dog must be microchipped according to ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A, and the microchip number must appear in all vaccination and treatment records.

Breed restrictions

AVS lists dog breeds not allowed in Singapore (including pit bull types and other prohibited breeds). If your dog is a mixed or cross breed, AVS requires a clear colour photo showing your dog’s face and body in the import licence application so AVS can verify it is not a prohibited breed.

Also verify your intended residence rules (for example, HDB breed and pet limits) early so you do not clear import and then hit a housing issue.

Step 2: Identify your export country’s rabies schedule (I, II, III)

AVS categorises export countries/regions by rabies risk status, and the schedule drives your required steps. AVS notes categorisation can change, so verify your schedule close to your import date.

High-level: what the schedules mean

• Schedule I: rabies vaccination and serology are not required for import into Singapore (when fully compliant with the veterinary conditions).
• Schedule II: rabies vaccination and serology are required; post-arrival quarantine is generally not required unless specific triggers apply.
• Schedule III: post-arrival quarantine at AQC is required for at least 30 days; AVS states dogs are vaccinated against rabies on arrival.

Step 3: Rabies vaccination and rabies serology (if Schedule II or III)

If your schedule requires rabies serology, build your timeline from these gates. Booking flights first is how many timelines break.

• Blood sampling for rabies serology must be at least 28 days after a valid rabies vaccination.
• Blood sampling must be at least 90 days and within 12 months prior to the date of export.
• The serology test must be conducted at a WOAH reference laboratory for rabies or at an approved laboratory in a Schedule I or II country/region (as stated in AVS conditions).

Step 4: Core vaccinations and record quality

AVS requires valid core vaccinations for dogs (including canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1, and canine parvovirus type 2), supported by vaccination records upon arrival.

Record quality checklist (before you lock your travel date):

• Microchip number is printed on each vaccination and treatment record.
• Vaccination date is clearly stated.
• Vaccine brand and batch number are stated.
• Attending veterinarian signature or endorsement is present.

Step 5: Quarantine planning (none vs home quarantine vs AQC)

Schedule I

Dogs from Schedule I do not need quarantine on arrival if fully compliant with the veterinary conditions.

Schedule II

Post-arrival quarantine is generally not required unless AVS trigger conditions apply. Examples include: your pet arrives more than 5 days after the owner’s entry into Singapore, or your pet has been with the owner for less than 6 months. In those cases, AVS states a minimum 10-day home quarantine is required for pets imported using a personal import licence.

AVS also notes smart collar tags may be used for home quarantine, with upfront payment per animal per day (or part thereof) when eligible.

Schedule III

Dogs from Schedule III require post-arrival quarantine of at least 30 days at AQC. AVS states dogs arriving from Schedule III will be vaccinated against rabies on arrival, and the owner or agent is responsible for booking quarantine space via QMS.

Step 6: Get your dog licence on PALS (before the import licence)

AVS states you must obtain a dog licence before applying for an import licence. Do not leave this to the last minute.

Step 7: Apply for the AVS import licence (timing window and fees)

AVS states you should apply for the import licence within 90 days of arrival. The import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. AVS publishes fees for normal and express service, with different service standards.

Step 8: Singapore Customs GST permit or GST relief (personal pets)

AVS and CAPQ guidance emphasise having a Customs In-Payment (GST) permit in place for smooth clearance. Singapore Customs also describes scenarios where GST relief may apply for personal pets (for example, transfer of residence), with different procedures for accompanied versus unaccompanied pets and lead time for required declarations.

Step 9: Book the CAPQ border inspection appointment (do not skip)

AVS states your inspection appointment request must be submitted at least 5 days before arrival. Arriving without an appointment can trigger an inspection fee of S$133 per hour (or part thereof).

Step 10: 2 to 7 days before export (parasites + health certificate + endorsement)

AVS states that between 2 and 7 days of export, your dog must receive external and internal parasite treatments and you must obtain a veterinary health certificate. The treating vet completes the certificate, and the exporting country’s official government veterinarian endorses it.

If your dog comes from Schedule I or II, AVS also requires a captain’s declaration endorsed by the transporting airline, using the template in the relevant veterinary conditions document.

Day-of-arrival flow at the airport (and why 2026 changes matter)

CAPQ inspection is mandatory on arrival

AVS states imported pets must be inspected at CAPQ upon arrival when entering by air through Changi.

Clearance differs by excess baggage versus manifested cargo

CAPQ publishes different clearance steps depending on whether your dog arrives as accompanied/excess baggage or as manifested cargo. Both pathways require you (or your agent) to present the original veterinary health certificate, vaccination records, rabies serology results (where applicable), and the AVS import licence for inspection and clearance.

After 1 April 2026: expect ‘agent executes, owner receives’

From 1 April 2026, CAPQ’s published change means your appointed AVS-recognised pet agent handles clearance procedures and transport after clearance. Plan for that handover and communication so you know when and where your dog will be delivered.

Common failure points (and how to avoid them)

• Rabies serology timeline errors. Build your travel date around the serology gates, not airline availability.
• Microchip number mismatches across vaccination records and the health certificate. One wrong digit can stall clearance.
• Skipping the CAPQ inspection appointment (or booking too late).
• Import licence timing errors. The licence has a validity window, so align issue date with your arrival date.
• Mixed-breed photo requirement ignored or unclear. Provide a clear colour photo showing face and body.
• Assuming you can self-clear at CAPQ after 1 April 2026. From that date, plan for agent-only clearance.

FAQs

Do I need an agent to import my dog into Singapore?

From 1 April 2026, only AVS-recognised pet agents will be permitted to handle import clearance procedures at CAPQ.

How do I know if my country is Schedule I, II, or III?

AVS publishes rabies risk categories and notes categorisation can change. Check your schedule close to your import date.

What is rabies serology and what are the timing rules?

For Schedule II and III, AVS states blood sampling for rabies serology must be at least 28 days after rabies vaccination, and must be at least 90 days and within 12 months prior to export (plus lab requirements).

How long is quarantine and where is it done?

Schedule I: no quarantine if compliant. Schedule II: quarantine generally not required unless trigger conditions apply; if so, AVS states a minimum 10-day home quarantine. Schedule III: at least 30 days at AQC and rabies vaccination on arrival.

What documents do I need on arrival?

CAPQ commonly checks the AVS import licence, vaccination records, rabies serology report (where applicable), and the government-endorsed veterinary health certificate.

Can I import a mixed-breed dog?

Yes, but AVS requires a clear colour photo showing the dog’s face and body in the import licence application to verify it is not a prohibited breed.

What happens if my dog arrives outside CAPQ opening hours?

CAPQ states animals arriving outside opening hours will be held by the ground handling agent until the next working day. For dogs requiring quarantine at AQC, transfer timing can affect whether the dog is moved the same day or the next working day.

Copy/paste: Dog Import Checklist (Singapore)

Use this as your working document, and keep the official page links you are using in the same file.

Dog profile and eligibility

• Dog is at least 12 weeks old at export.
• Microchip ISO 11784/11785; microchip number appears on every record.
• Breed is permitted. If mixed/cross, prepare a clear colour photo (face + body).
• Residence rules checked (for example, HDB breed and pet limits).

Rabies schedule and medical gates

• Confirm exporting country schedule (I/II/III) close to import date.
• If required: rabies vaccination date documented.
• If required: rabies serology blood sampling is at least 28 days after vaccination.
• If required: export date is at least 90 days after blood sampling and within 12 months.
• Core vaccination records prepared with required fields (microchip number, date, vaccine brand and batch, vet endorsement).

Quarantine planning

• Schedule I: confirm no quarantine if fully compliant.
• Schedule II: check whether home quarantine triggers apply; apply early if needed.
• Schedule III: book AQC space via QMS; plan at least 30 days.

Licensing and permits

• Dog licence on PALS obtained before import licence application.
• AVS import licence applied and validity window aligns with arrival date.
• Customs In-Payment (GST) permit or GST relief workflow planned, with lead times met.
• CAPQ inspection appointment booked at least 5 days before arrival.

2 to 7 days before export

• External and internal parasite treatments completed within the required window.
• Veterinary health certificate completed by treating vet and endorsed by exporting country’s official government veterinarian.
• Captain’s declaration prepared and endorsed by airline where applicable (Schedule I/II).

Arrival

• Clearance plan confirmed based on excess baggage versus manifested cargo.
• From 1 Apr 2026: AVS-recognised pet agent appointed for CAPQ clearance and transport.
• If quarantine required: understand transfer timing to AQC and expected handover.