Moving your dog or cat from United States to Singapore
Short answer: start at least 119 days before your flight. Rules last checked against official sources on 2026-10-30.
This page and the planner are generated automatically from official government sources. Planning tool only — not veterinary, legal or professional advice; no human expert reviews your plan. Always confirm with your vet, the official authority and your airline.
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United States → Singapore pet import requirements
| Requirement | Status | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | required | ISO 11784/11785 microchip (otherwise bring a compatible reader); the number must appear on all vaccination/treatment records. Pet must be at least 12 weeks old at export. | official |
| Rabies vaccine | required | Valid inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccination (primary + boosters per manufacturer); certificate shows the microchip number and the vet's name and signature. | official |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | required | Rabies neutralising antibody ≥0.5 IU/ml. Blood sample at least 28 days after vaccination, and at least 90 days but within 12 months before export, tested at a WOAH reference lab or a lab approved by the competent authority of a Schedule I/II country. | official |
| Health certificate / endorsement | required | AVS model certificate for dogs and cats from the USA: a USDA-accredited vet completes Sections I–III within 2–7 days of export (after parasite treatments); USDA APHIS endorses Section IV (digital endorsement via VEHCS accepted). | official |
| Import permit / pre-notification | required | Dogs: Singapore dog licence (PALS) first. Then an AVS import licence (S$50, about 2 working days, valid 90 days, no extension); apply about 30 days before arrival. A Customs In-Payment (GST) permit may also be needed (valid 10 working days). | official |
| Quarantine | conditional | US is Schedule II: no quarantine if the pet arrives within 5 days of the owner's entry and has lived at the owner's address for 6+ months; otherwise at least 10 days of home quarantine (apply first) with a smart collar tag (S$29/day). | official |
| Approved routes / airports | required | Book a border inspection at least 5 days before arrival (Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine). Rigid IATA crate required even for in-cabin pets. Airline captain's declaration must be signed. Present the import licence at check-in. | official |
| Breed restrictions | required | Banned dogs: Pit Bull types (incl. American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog), Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Presa Canario and crosses. Cats: 1st–4th generation Bengal/Savannah crosses. | official |
| Other | required | Valid core vaccinations with records: dogs – distemper, adenovirus type 1, parvovirus; cats – calicivirus, herpesvirus-1, panleukopenia. Housing limits apply (e.g. HDB flats). | official |
Order of steps
- Microchip your pet (ISO) — at least 119 days before the flight. Before the rabies vaccination so the chip number is on the vaccination record.
- Rabies vaccination (valid) — at least 118 days before the flight. The blood sample must be taken at least 28 days after a valid vaccination; keep boosters up to date.
- Rabies serology blood test (≥0.5 IU/ml) — between 365 and 90 days before the flight. At least 90 days and no more than 12 months before export, 28+ days after vaccination, at a WOAH reference or approved lab.
- Core vaccinations up to date — at least 30 days before the flight. Dogs: distemper, adenovirus-1, parvovirus. Cats: calicivirus, herpesvirus-1, panleukopenia. Recommended timing (our suggestion): complete about a month ahead so boosters are done.
- If not exempt from quarantine: apply for home quarantine — at least 40 days before the flight. Only if the pet won't arrive within 5 days of you or hasn't lived with you 6+ months. Apply via the AVS form before the import licence; officers respond within 5 working days.
- Dog licence (dogs), then AVS import licence — between 85 and 30 days before the flight. Apply about 30 days before arrival; the import licence is valid 90 days with no extension, so don't apply too early.
- Book the border inspection appointment — at least 7 days before the flight. At least 5 days (APHIS: 5 working days) before arrival; include import licence, flight details and phone number.
- Customs In-Payment (GST) permit if required — between 10 and 2 days before the flight. Check Singapore Customs rules for pets moving with a change of residence; the permit is valid 10 working days from approval.
- Parasite treatments + vet completes the health certificate — between 7 and 2 days before the flight. Internal and external parasite treatments and Sections I–III, within 2–7 days of export.
- APHIS endorses the certificate (Section IV) — between 7 and 1 days before the flight. Submitted via VEHCS; digital endorsement accepted and can be printed — it must travel with the pet.
- Travel: import licence at check-in + captain's declaration — at least 0 days before the flight. Rigid IATA crate; airline signs the captain's declaration; arrive within 5 days of the owner to avoid home quarantine.
Items marked “verify” could not be fully confirmed; check the official source and your vet.