Country entry guide · Asia
Traveling to Singapore with your dog
Singapore welcomes dogs, but it runs its own import scheme through the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS, part of NParks) — not the EU framework. What you must prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from, which AVS sorts into three rabies-risk schedules. Every dog needs an ISO microchip, a dog licence and an AVS import licence. Dogs from Schedule I countries (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK) skip the rabies blood test and quarantine. Dogs from Schedule II countries (most of the EU, the USA, Canada, Japan and others) need a rabies vaccination and a serology test, and often a short home quarantine. Dogs from any other country (Schedule III) face a rabies antibody test and a minimum 30-day quarantine. Some breeds are banned outright. This guide explains each case.
📋 At a glance
| Dogs allowed | Yes (except banned breeds) |
| Microchip | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Required (Schedule II & III) |
| Rabies antibody test | Required from Schedule II & III origins |
| Import & dog licence | Required (AVS) |
| Veterinary health certificate | Required |
| Quarantine | Conditional by schedule (up to 30 days) |
⏱️ Estimated preparation time
Times are indicative. The rabies antibody test alone adds a fixed 3-month wait.
⚠️ Important
- MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
- Only a veterinarian and Singapore's AVS can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
- Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.
Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.
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🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
The exact procedure depends on three things — Singapore (your destination) is only the first.
- 1 Country of destination — Singapore★★★★★
Singapore runs its own AVS scheme: an ISO microchip, a dog licence and an AVS import licence are always required, the dog must be at least 12 weeks old at export, and certain breeds are banned entirely.
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
AVS sorts the exporting country into Schedule I, II or III by rabies risk. That schedule decides whether a rabies vaccination, a serology (blood) test and post-arrival quarantine apply.
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
AVS looks at your dog's real travel history, not only the last airport. A recent stay in a higher-risk country can move your dog into a stricter schedule with a blood test and longer quarantine.
So read the requirements below as Singapore's framework, then confirm your dog's exact schedule and history with your vet and AVS.
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | When | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO microchip | Required | ISO 11784 / 11785 microchip implanted before vaccinations; the number must appear on every vaccination and treatment record. | No tattoo alternative is accepted. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats |
| Rabies vaccination | Required (Schedule II & III) | Valid inactivated or recombinant vaccine acceptable to AVS; not required for Schedule I countries. | Schedule III dogs are also re-vaccinated against rabies on arrival in Singapore. | AVS — Schedule II & III veterinary conditions |
| Rabies antibody (serology) test | Required (Schedule II & III) | Blood sampled at least 28 days after a valid vaccination, and at least 90 days and within 12 months before export, at a WOAH reference or approved Schedule I/II lab. | Not required for Schedule I countries (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom). | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 3 |
| Core vaccinations | Required | Dogs: valid vaccination against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 and canine parvovirus type 2, supported by records on arrival. | Follow the vaccine manufacturer's recommendations on validity and dosing. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 4 |
| Dog licence | Required | A dog licence must be obtained on the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) before applying for the import licence. | Specified (Part 2) dogs need extra conditions: muzzle, insurance and a banker's guarantee. | AVS — Applying for dog and cat licences |
| AVS import licence | Required | Import licence via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (S$50 normal / S$100 express); valid 90 days from issue and applied for within 90 days of arrival. | Mixed/cross-breed dogs must include a colour photo showing face and body to confirm the dog is not a prohibited breed. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 7 |
| Veterinary health certificate | Required | Completed 2–7 days before export: treating vet certifies conditions and fitness (Sections I–III); the exporting country's government vet endorses Section IV. | The animal must be free from any clinical sign of contagious or infectious disease and fit for travel. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 10 |
| External & internal parasite treatment | Required | Administered between 2 and 7 days before export and recorded on the health certificate. | — | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 10 |
| Customs GST permit | Required | A Customs In-Payment (GST) permit is needed before arrival; obtained via a local forwarding agent within 14 days of arrival. | — | Singapore Customs — Importing personal pets |
| Border inspection appointment | Required | Book an inspection at least 5 days before arrival; dogs by air are inspected at Changi (CAPQ), by land at Tuas Checkpoint. | Arriving without an appointment incurs an inspection fee of S$133 per hour or part thereof. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 9 |
| Minimum age | ≥12 weeks at export | The dog must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of export. | With the serology waiting periods, dogs from Schedule II/III are effectively much older before they can enter. | AVS — Preparing to bring dogs and cats into Singapore |
| Quarantine | Conditional by schedule | Schedule I: none. Schedule II: may be exempt, otherwise minimum 10-day home quarantine (or 10 days at AQC for commercial imports). Schedule III: minimum 30 days at the Animal Quarantine Centre. | Schedule II exemption needs a personal import, the pet brought within 5 days of the owner's entry, and 6+ months living at the owner's address. | AVS — Importing dogs and cats, step 5 |
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
Schedule I — no blood test, no quarantine
From Schedule I countries (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom), your dog needs an ISO microchip, valid core vaccinations, a dog licence, an AVS import licence and an endorsed health certificate — but no rabies vaccination, no serology test and no quarantine, provided all conditions are fully met.
Schedule II — vaccination, blood test, often 10-day quarantine
From Schedule II countries (most of the EU, USA, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Switzerland and others), add a rabies vaccination and a serology test taken at least 28 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before export. A minimum 10-day home quarantine applies unless the personal-import exemption is met (pet brought within 5 days of the owner's entry and 6+ months at the owner's address).
Schedule III — titre + minimum 30-day quarantine
From any other country (Schedule III), your dog needs the rabies vaccination and serology test, then a post-arrival quarantine of at least 30 days at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC), booked in advance via the Quarantine Management System. Dogs from Schedule III are also re-vaccinated against rabies on arrival.
🛬 Arrival
What happens when your dog reaches Singapore depends on its schedule and the checkpoint of entry.
- Dogs arriving by air are inspected at Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ); dogs by land at Tuas Checkpoint.
- You must book the border inspection at least 5 days before arrival; arriving without an appointment incurs a fee of S$133 per hour or part thereof.
- Present the AVS import licence at check-in; for Schedule I and II origins you also need a captain's declaration form endorsed by the airline.
- Schedule II dogs without the exemption go to home quarantine (minimum 10 days, smart collar tag); Schedule III dogs go to the AQC for at least 30 days.
- Large pet containers exceeding 82 x 64 x 58 cm must be collected in person at CAPQ or Tuas, otherwise transfer to a private contractor incurs extra fees.
- If documents or veterinary conditions are not met, the dog can be refused, quarantined further, re-exported or, for banned breeds, denied entry entirely.
🧳 Real traveller experience
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🚫 Restricted dogs
Singapore lists potentially dangerous breeds in the First Schedule of the Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024 as 'Specified Dogs', split into Part 1 (banned from import) and Part 2 (allowed with extra conditions).
Banned from import (Part 1): Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Perro de Presa Canario, and crosses of any of these. These breeds are not allowed into Singapore for sale, temporary visit or permanent stay, except those already licensed.
Allowed with conditions (Part 2): Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd and related breeds (Belgian, East European Shepherd), Mastiffs (Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux) and their crosses. These require muzzle and leash in public, third-party insurance of at least S$100,000, a S$2,000 banker's guarantee and training; only one such dog is allowed per non-HDB residence.
If you import a mixed or cross-breed dog, you must submit a colour photo of its face and body so AVS can confirm it is not a prohibited breed. HDB flats also restrict which breeds may be kept.
✈️ National airlines
Carriers registered in this country that accept dogs — see each airline's MyDogCanFly fiche.
🛂 Airports in Singapore
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
🧾 Preparation checklist
- ☐ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before vaccinations, number on all records
- ☐Rabies vaccination + serology test (Schedule II & III origins)
- ☐Core vaccinations (distemper, adenovirus type 1, parvovirus type 2) with records
- ☐Dog licence on PALS, then AVS import licence via GoBusiness (valid 90 days)
- ☐Endorsed veterinary health certificate + parasite treatment (2–7 days before export)
- ☐Customs GST permit via a local forwarding agent
- ☐Quarantine space booked (home quarantine or AQC) where required
- ☐Border inspection appointment booked at least 5 days before arrival
- ☐IATA-compliant crate; confirm your dog is not a Part 1 banned breed
📚 Official sources
- NParks / AVS — Importing dogs and cats
- NParks / AVS — Importing a pet (overview)
- NParks / AVS — Specified dogs (breed restrictions)
- NParks / AVS — Quarantine Management System
- NParks / AVS — Animal Quarantine Centre
- Singapore Statutes Online — Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024, First Schedule
- Singapore Customs — Importing personal pets