Taking Your Dog to Singapore
Singapore has strict dog import rules, including microchipping, licensing, import permits, rabies documentation, and in many cases a rabies titer test. Dogs arriving from the United States are treated as Schedule II imports.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Singapore
ISO Microchip
Your dog must be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip meeting ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A. The microchip number must appear on vaccination and treatment records. If the chip is not ISO-compliant, you must provide a reader at entry.
Must be implanted and verifiable before documents are issued and before travelRabies Vaccination
For dogs arriving from the United States, Singapore requires a valid rabies vaccination using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine acceptable to NParks/AVS. Vaccination records must include the microchip number, veterinarian details, and endorsement. After a primary rabies vaccine or booster, the dog must wait before the rabies serology test.
Rabies vaccine must be current; rabies titer must be drawn at least 28 days after the primary vaccine or last boosterRabies Titer Test
Dogs from the United States must have a WOAH-prescribed rabies neutralising antibody test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml. The sample must be tested at a WOAH reference laboratory for rabies or an approved laboratory in a Schedule I or II country.
Blood draw must be not less than 90 days and not more than 12 months before exportGeneral Dog Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated according to manufacturer recommendations against Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adenovirus type 1, and Canine Parvovirus type 2.
Not less than 2 weeks before exportHealth Certificate
Singapore requires its own veterinary health certificate template for dogs and cats from the USA. It must be signed by a government-approved veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. APHIS notes that airlines may also ask for APHIS Form 7001, but USDA only endorses the destination country certificate when a country-specific form exists.
Certificate must be dated not more than 7 days before exportImport Permit
You must first obtain a Singapore dog licence in PALS, then apply for the AVS import licence. The approved dog licence must be attached to the import licence application.
Apply before travel; APHIS states both licences should be submitted 30 days prior to arrival, and AVS says the import licence is valid for 90 days from issueDog Licence
A dog licence is required before applying for the import licence. Imported dogs need the import permit as supporting documentation in PALS. First-time licence applicants may need to complete the online Pet Ownership Course.
Obtain before applying for the import licenceParasite Treatment
Dogs must be treated with a product effective against external parasites such as fleas and ticks and a product effective against internal parasites such as nematodes and cestodes. Active ingredient and treatment date must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.
Both treatments must be given between 2 and 7 days before exportArrival Inspection Booking
AVS requires an inspection appointment for imported dogs. The booking must include the AVS import licence, flight details, and contact number.
Book at least 5 working days before arrivalQuarantine Period
For dogs from the United States, post-arrival quarantine is generally not required if the dog fully meets Schedule II conditions. A minimum 10-day home quarantine applies for personal imports if the dog arrives more than 5 days after the owner enters Singapore or if the dog has been under the owner or immediate family’s direct care for less than 6 months. Commercial imports require at least 10 days at the Animal Quarantine Centre. Dogs from Schedule III countries face at least 30 days of quarantine and rabies vaccination on arrival.
Depends on import category; Schedule II compliant personal imports may have no quarantine, otherwise minimum 10 daysBanned Breeds
Singapore does not allow import of Pit Bull-type dogs including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog and their crosses, as well as Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario, and their crosses. Some other specified breeds such as Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd-related breeds, and certain mastiffs may be kept only under additional licensing conditions.
Breed eligibility must be confirmed before applyingEstimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam and document preparation | $100-250 | Typical private vet pricing in the U.S. for pre-travel exam and paperwork; actual clinic fees vary |
| Microchip | $25-75 | If your dog does not already have an ISO-compliant chip |
| Rabies vaccination | $20-60 | If a booster is needed before travel |
| Rabies titer test | $120-300 | Required for dogs from the United States entering Singapore |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $160-206 | USDA APHIS fee depends on number of laboratory tests on the certificate; 1-2 tests for one pet is $160, 3-6 tests is $206 |
| Singapore import licence | $37-74 | AVS fee is S$50 normal service or S$100 express service, converted approximately to USD |
| Singapore quarantine/handling fees if applicable | $19-1,000+ | AVS fee schedule lists S$35/day at CAPQ, S$75 transport to AQC, S$26/day fan room or S$35/day air-conditioned room at AQC, and S$68 rabies vaccination on arrival for Schedule III dogs; home quarantine smart collar is S$29/day where applicable |
| Airline pet fee | $200-1,000+ | Singapore Airlines treats pets as additional baggage when accepted as checked baggage, or as cargo when pet plus crate exceeds 32 kg. Charges vary by route and weight, so confirm with the airline before booking |
| Total | $662-2,891+ |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
If you plan to bring your dog back to the United States, follow current CDC dog import rules before you leave. Singapore is not listed by CDC as a high-risk country for dog rabies, but U.S. re-entry still depends on where your dog has been during the 6 months before arrival and whether your dog has valid U.S.-issued rabies documentation. CDC states that a dog must be at least 6 months old for import. If your dog is U.S.-vaccinated against rabies, get the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before departure from the United States; for a first rabies vaccine, it must be completed at least 28 days after vaccination, while boosters are valid immediately if there has been no lapse in coverage. If your dog has been in a high-risk rabies country within the last 6 months and does not have valid U.S. documentation, you may need to follow the foreign-vaccinated dog pathway, which can involve additional testing, reservation at an approved animal care facility, and possible quarantine. Also check airline and CBP requirements before flying home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Singapore require a rabies titer test for dogs coming from the United States?
Yes. The United States is listed by Singapore under Schedule II for dog and cat imports, and Schedule II dogs need a rabies neutralising antibody test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The blood sample must be taken not less than 90 days and not more than 12 months before export, and only after the required waiting period following rabies vaccination.
How soon before travel do I need the Singapore health certificate?
The Singapore veterinary certificate for dogs from the United States must be dated no more than 7 days before export. It must be signed by a government-approved veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian.
Do I need both a dog licence and an import permit for Singapore?
Yes. For dogs, Singapore requires a dog licence first and then an import licence. APHIS also notes that each pet must be accompanied by a valid import licence and dog licence issued by Singapore’s veterinary authority.
Will my dog be quarantined on arrival in Singapore?
Usually not if your dog is a personal import from the United States and fully complies with Schedule II conditions. However, a minimum 10-day home quarantine can apply if the dog arrives more than 5 days after you enter Singapore or if the dog has been under your direct care for less than 6 months. Commercial imports require at least 10 days of quarantine.
What parasite treatments are required for Singapore?
Singapore requires both external parasite treatment for fleas and ticks and internal parasite treatment for nematodes and cestodes. Both treatments must be given between 2 and 7 days before export, and the active ingredients and dates must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.
Are any dog breeds banned from import into Singapore?
Yes. Singapore bans import of Pit Bull-type dogs and their crosses, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario, and their crosses. Some other breeds are not banned but are subject to extra licensing conditions.
How far in advance should I book the arrival inspection?
AVS says you must book your dog’s border inspection at least 5 working days before arrival. If you show up without an appointment, an inspection fee of S$133 per hour or part thereof applies.
Can my dog fly on Singapore Airlines as checked baggage?
Sometimes. Singapore Airlines accepts many dogs as checked baggage, but pets and crates over 32 kg combined must travel as cargo. The airline also says pets are not accepted on all Boeing 737-operated flights, and you should contact the airline at least two weeks before departure.