Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from the United States → Singapore
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
The United States is in the group “Schedule II — rabies vaccination + serology; quarantine depends on owner travel” in Singapore’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Singapore
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Import permit needed
- Quarantine possible
What your dog or cat needs
Identification
ISO microchip
Your pet must have an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 (Annex A) microchip, and the number must appear on every vaccination and treatment record.
Details and the official words
“Ensure that your dog or cat is microchipped according to International Standards Organisation (ISO) Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785 Annex A.”
Age rule
At least 12 weeks old at export
Your dog or cat must be at least 12 weeks old on the day it leaves for Singapore.
Details and the official words
“Your dog/cat must be at least twelve (12) weeks of age at the time of export.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant vaccine) — a valid primary vaccination and up-to-date boosters.
Details and the official words
“The dog or cat must have a valid vaccination against rabies using an inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine acceptable to NParks/AVS.”
Blood test
Rabies blood test (serology)
A blood sample at least 28 days after a valid rabies vaccination, tested at a WOAH reference laboratory or an approved lab in a Schedule I/II country (result at least 0.5 IU/ml). Your pet can only be exported at least 90 days — and no more than 12 months — after the sample date.
Details and the official words
If your pet's rabies boosters never lapsed, the sample can be taken soon after a booster.
“The dog or cat must undergo blood sampling for rabies serology at least 28 days after a valid vaccination against rabies.”
“The blood sampling must be done at least 90 days and within 12 months prior to the date of export.”
Vaccination
Core vaccinations
Dogs: valid vaccinations against canine distemper, adenovirus type 1 and parvovirus type 2. Cats: calicivirus, herpesvirus-1 and panleukopaenia. They must be given at least 2 weeks before export. Bring the records (with microchip number, dates, vaccine brand and batch, vet's signature).
Details and the official words
Schedule I (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom): a dog or cat under 16 weeks old needs at least two vaccinations, the first no earlier than 6 weeks of age and the second at least 2 weeks before export.
“in the case of a dog, the dog was vaccinated according to the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations and not less than two (2) weeks prior to export against Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adenovirus type 1 and Canine Parvovirus type 2.”
“in the case of a cat, the cat was vaccinated according to the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations and not less than two (2) weeks prior to export against Feline calicivirus, Feline Herpesvirus-1 and Feline Panleukopaenia virus.”
“in the case of a dog under sixteen (16) weeks of age, the dog was vaccinated according to manufacturer’s recommendations against Canine Distemper virus, Canine Adenovirus type 1 and Canine Parvovirus type 2 with at least two (2) vaccinations, with the first vaccination administered at no earlier than 6 weeks of age, and the second vaccination must be given at least two (2) weeks prior to export”
“These must be supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore.”
Permit
Dog or cat licence (PALS)
Get a dog or cat licence on the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) — you need it before you can apply for the import licence.
Details and the official words
“To import a dog or cat, you must obtain a dog or cat licence before applying for an import licence.”
Permit
Import licence
Apply on the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (S$50, issued in 2 working days; S$100 express, 1 working day). It's valid for 90 days from issue with no extension, so your pet must arrive within that time. Mixed breeds need a colour photo.
Details and the official words
“An import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.”
On arrival
Book the border inspection
Book your pet's arrival inspection at least 5 days before it arrives (with the import licence number and flight details). Without a booking you pay S$133 per hour.
Details and the official words
“five days before the animal’s arrival, or earlier”
“The owner or agent must make an appointment for the pet’s inspection at least 5 working days before the arrival of the animal”
Treatment
Internal and external parasite treatment
Between 2 and 7 days before export, your vet treats your pet for internal and external parasites and completes Sections I–III of Singapore's veterinary certificate.
Details and the official words
“Between 2 and 7 days of export, send your dog or cat for parasite treatments and complete the veterinary health certificate.”
“the dog/cat has been treated with a product effective against external parasites (fleas and ticks) between 2 and 7 days of export”
Paperwork
Veterinary health certificate endorsed by an official vet
Use Singapore's certificate template for your country's Schedule. Your vet completes Sections I–III; your country's official government veterinarian endorses Section IV. The certificate must be dated no more than 7 days before export and is valid for 7 days.
Details and the official words
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“Request the exporting country’s official government veterinarian to endorse Section IV of the same veterinary certificate.”
“a veterinary certificate (in accordance with the attached template) bearing a date not more than seven (7) days prior to export”
“a veterinary certificate (in accordance with the attached template) bearing a date not more than seven (7) days prior to export”
“a veterinary certificate (in accordance with the attached template) bearing a date not more than seven (7) days prior to export”
“CERTIFICATION VALIDITY: This certification is valid for seven (7) days.”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Transport
Airline captain's declaration
Ask your airline for the signed captain's declaration (template in Singapore's veterinary conditions) and hand it in at the arrival inspection. It's also what allows a transit through a Schedule III country.
Details and the official words
“you also need to obtain a signed captain's declaration form endorsed by the transporting airline(s).”
Vet exam
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
Good to know
- Singapore's veterinary conditions say your pet must have lived continuously in the country it leaves from (or in another Schedule I or II country) for at least 6 months before export, or since birth. The official vets certify this.
- A pet imported for a transfer of ownership (adopted, rescued, or bought or obtained overseas less than 6 months before export) needs at least 10 days of home quarantine even if it arrives with you.
- Not allowed into Singapore: Pit Bull types (incl. American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), American Bulldog, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and their crosses; and 1st–4th generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses. Housing rules also limit pets (an HDB flat: 2 cats or 1 non-specified dog).
- Even if your pet flies in the cabin, bring a rigid IATA-standard crate: soft bags aren't allowed for the transfer to the quarantine station.
- You may need a Customs In-Payment (GST) permit before arrival — check Singapore Customs' rules for personal pets.
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Government fees we know of
- USDA APHIS health certificate endorsement101 USD
Vet, lab and courier costs are not included. The final amount can depend on how many tests or pets are on the certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the United States to Singapore?
Yes: A blood sample at least 28 days after a valid rabies vaccination, tested at a WOAH reference laboratory or an approved lab in a Schedule I/II country (result at least 0.5 IU/ml).
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Singapore?
Yes: Get a dog or cat licence on the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) — you need it before you can apply for the import licence.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Singapore?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog or cat need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet must have an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 (Annex A) microchip, and the number must appear on every vaccination and treatment record.