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SGBook Singapore Living Guide/Bringing a dog or cat to Singapore: 2026 import and quarantine checklist

Relocation checklist / Pets

Bringing a dog or cat to Singapore: 2026 import and quarantine checklist

Rechecked 14 Jul 2026: bringing a dog or cat to Singapore is not just an airline booking. Your real timeline depends on the pet's AVS schedule, microchip and vaccination sequence, quarantine place, licences, Customs permit, arrival inspection, and whether your home permits the animal. Fresh community discussion about relocating a one-income household with two cats shows why a monthly budget alone is incomplete: pet timing and housing constraints can decide whether the move works.

Who this is for

  • Families moving dogs or cats from India, mainland China, Hong Kong, Europe, North America, Australia, or New Zealand.
  • Anyone who must understand the 0 / 10 / 30+ day quarantine impact before signing a lease or booking a flight.
  • Households coordinating work, children, housing, and more than one pet.

Find your starting import route

Check the current country/region classification on AVS first; classifications can change.

This is a planning shortcut, not an AVS decision on your animal, breed, documents, or quarantine place.

Must Do / Should Do / Later

Must Do

Use the current AVS page to confirm schedule, allowed breed, ISO microchip, vaccination/testing, and quarantine requirements. Do not rely on an old relocation post.

Should Do

Before non-refundable flights or a housing deposit, align quarantine availability, pet-permitted housing, CAPQ collection, and a compliant rigid crate.

Later

Compare airlines, vets, agents, and insurance only after the official route is clear; the cheapest quote cannot fix an invalid document sequence.

Work backwards from arrival

WindowActionDecision check
Start earlyConfirm schedule, breed restrictions, age and health; implant an ISO 11784/11785 Annex A microchip.AVS says classifications can change, so recheck near travel.
Vaccination/testing lead timeComplete the schedule-specific rabies vaccination, serology, routine vaccination, and parasite treatment sequence.The same microchip number must follow the records; timing varies by schedule.
When booking opensReserve at least 30 days at AQC for Schedule III; for Schedule II, confirm exemption, home-quarantine approval, or AQC route.Do not buy a non-refundable flight before securing required quarantine.
Within 90 days before arrivalObtain the dog/cat licence, then a personal import licence. AVS currently lists S$50 normal service, a two-working-day target, and 90-day validity.Recheck fees and service standards at application.
At least 5 days before arrivalBook border inspection and arrange the Customs GST permit or submit for relief assessment where eligible.Arriving without an appointment can trigger a S$133/hour inspection fee.
Final weekComplete the veterinary certificate, government-vet endorsement, parasite treatment, and airline paperwork for your schedule.Schedule I/II may also require an airline-endorsed captain's declaration.
ArrivalAir arrivals are inspected at CAPQ; carry originals and have crate collection, transport, and quarantine ready.Oversized crates may require owner/agent collection and extra charges.

Before signing a home

  • Get written confirmation from landlord and building management on pet type, count, size, and common-area rules.
  • HDB has an approved dog-breed list; private housing can still have tenancy or MCST restrictions.
  • Home quarantine needs separate AVS approval and qualifying premises. Pet-permitted does not automatically mean quarantine-approved.
  • Plan deliveries, cleaning, veterinary access, and household movement during quarantine.

Watch-outs

  • Treating the owner's nationality as the pet's schedule; AVS applies the export/residence route and veterinary conditions.
  • Signing a no-pet tenancy before resolving import and quarantine.
  • Using old Category A/B/C posts without checking current Schedule I/II/III guidance.
  • Assuming GST relief is automatic; Customs assesses eligibility case by case.
  • This page is not veterinary, Customs, housing, or quarantine approval.

FAQ

How long is quarantine from India?

India follows the Schedule III route when listed there, which requires at least 30 days at AQC. Recheck AVS classification and veterinary conditions when applying.

Do pets from the USA or Hong Kong always avoid quarantine?

No. Schedule II personal pets must satisfy AVS conditions such as owner timing and prior shared residence; otherwise at least 10 days of home or AQC quarantine may apply.

Is GST always payable on a relocating pet?

A Customs permit is required and GST applies, but some genuine changes of residence may be assessed for relief. It is not automatic.

Continue your move plan