Bringing a dog into Singapore: the AVS import rules, explained

Singapore is one of the strictest countries in Asia-Pacific for pet importation — and for good reason. As an island nation that has remained rabies-free, Singapore's Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a division of NParks, maintains a risk-based import framework designed to protect that status. The requirements vary significantly depending on which country your dog is coming from, and the paperwork trail starts months — sometimes well over a year — before your moving date.

This guide explains the AVS import framework as it stands in June 2026: the country schedules that determine what tests and quarantine your dog faces, the documentation you need, the breeds that cannot enter at all, and the housing rules that apply once you are in Singapore. This is a detailed reference, not a shortcut — import errors are expensive and stressful, and a rejected shipment means your dog goes into extended quarantine or is returned to the country of origin.

The authoritative, up-to-date source for all Singapore dog import requirements is the AVS portal at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Confirm everything there and, ideally, engage an IPATA-member pet relocation agent for complex cases.

The AVS import licence: your first step

No dog may be brought into Singapore without a valid AVS import licence issued in advance. The licence is applied for through the GoBusiness portal (gobusiness.gov.sg), which is Singapore's central regulatory business and licensing gateway. You do not need to be a business — individual pet owners use the same portal. The licence is issued in the name of the owner, covers a specific consignment (a specific dog, from a specific origin country), and has a validity period.

Plan for three to six months of lead time at minimum before your anticipated arrival date. For dogs from high-schedule countries (see below), the lead time can exceed a year once the full documentation sequence — microchip implantation, rabies vaccination, titer test, post-titer waiting period, import licence, and veterinary health certificate — is accounted for.

Country risk schedules: what category is your origin country?

AVS categorises source countries into Schedules based on their rabies risk status. The Schedule determines what pre-arrival requirements apply to your dog. The schedules are published on the AVS website and are subject to change as the rabies situation in each country evolves.

• Schedule 1 (lowest risk — generally rabies-free): includes Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Japan, and select other countries. Dogs from Schedule 1 generally do not require a rabies vaccination or serology titer test, and do not undergo post-arrival quarantine at CAPQ. They must still have an ISO microchip and a veterinary health certificate.
• Schedule 2 (low risk): includes the United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, and several other countries. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies, and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) is required. A waiting period after the titer test applies. No mandatory post-arrival quarantine for dogs meeting all requirements.
• Schedule 3: includes many Asian countries and others with moderate rabies risk. Requirements include microchip, rabies vaccination, RNATT titer test, and a post-arrival quarantine period at the CAPQ facility at Changi Airport.
• Schedule 4 (highest risk): includes countries with endemic rabies or the highest assessed risk level. Extended pre-arrival requirements and mandatory post-arrival quarantine at CAPQ apply. Quarantine costs are borne by the owner.
• Important: schedules change. Always verify your origin country's current schedule at avs.nparks.gov.sg before beginning any documentation.

Microchip: the non-negotiable first step

All dogs entering Singapore must be permanently identified by an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip (15-digit, 134.2 kHz). This standard is used across most of the world and is the same standard required by Australia, the European Union, and most other developed import regimes. A 10-digit chip or a non-ISO chip will not be accepted. The microchip must be implanted before any other steps in the import process — in particular, before rabies vaccination, because the microchip number is the unique identifier that links all subsequent test results and certificates to your individual dog.

If your dog already has a microchip from a previous country of residence, have your vet verify that it is ISO-compliant and readable before beginning the paperwork process. Keep a record of the microchip number — you will need it on every document.

The Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

For dogs from Schedule 2 and above countries, the RNATT is a serological blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your dog's bloodstream following vaccination. AVS requires a minimum titre level of 0.5 IU/mL (the same standard used by the EU and most developed import regimes). The test must be performed by an AVS-approved laboratory — not every veterinary lab qualifies. Approved laboratories include AAHL in Australia, AHVLA/APHA in the UK, and accredited European and US facilities. Check the current approved lab list at avs.nparks.gov.sg before booking the test.

Critical sequence: the microchip must be implanted first, then the rabies vaccination given, then the dog must wait for a minimum period (typically at least 30 days) before the blood sample for the titer is drawn. If the test fails (titre too low), the dog must be re-vaccinated and the process restarted — adding months to the timeline. For Schedule 3 and 4 countries, there is an additional waiting period after a passing titer before travel is permitted.

Vaccinations and parasite treatment

Beyond rabies, AVS requires core vaccinations (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and in many cases leptospirosis) to be current and documented in a veterinary health certificate. The certificate must be issued by an accredited government veterinarian within a specified window before departure (typically 7 days, though this varies — confirm for your specific origin country at the AVS portal).

Parasite treatment is also required. Dogs from most countries must be treated for internal and external parasites within a defined window before departure. The treatment product, dose, and timing must be recorded in the health certificate. Some routes require treatment for specific parasites — for example, dogs entering from countries with Echinococcus (tapeworm) risk require praziquantel treatment.

Post-arrival quarantine at CAPQ

Dogs from Schedule 3 and 4 countries undergo mandatory post-arrival quarantine at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) facility at Changi Airport. The quarantine period ranges from approximately 10 days (for Schedule 3 with a passing titer) to 30 days or more (for Schedule 4 or incomplete documentation). Quarantine costs are charged to the owner and include daily housing, feeding, and inspection fees. As of 2026, indicative daily quarantine rates are published on the AVS portal, but are subject to change.

Dogs from Schedule 1 and compliant Schedule 2 countries are not subject to post-arrival quarantine, but are inspected by AVS at the point of arrival. Inspection may be at the passenger terminal (if the dog arrived as accompanied baggage) or at CAPQ (if as manifest cargo).

Banned and restricted breeds: who cannot enter Singapore

Certain breeds are prohibited from importation into Singapore entirely, regardless of the country of origin or the quality of the documentation. As of June 2026, the prohibited breeds are:

• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier (and crosses)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier (and crosses)
• Akita
• Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Boerboel
• Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff)
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Crosses and hybrids of any of the above breeds
• Confirm the current list at avs.nparks.gov.sg — it is subject to legislative revision

HDB-approved breeds: the housing dimension

Singapore's public housing authority, the Housing & Development Board (HDB), governs what dogs may be kept in HDB flats — where approximately 80% of Singapore's resident population lives. The HDB's list of approved breeds is separate from the AVS import rules, but affects where you can live once in Singapore. Under the Housing & Development (Animals) Rules 2024, HDB flat owners may keep one dog from the approved list only.

The HDB-approved list comprises approximately 62 breeds as of 2026, all of which are small to medium-sized breeds. Examples include the Miniature Schnauzer, Maltese, Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan, subject to weight), Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and many toy-breed dogs. Popular breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Siberian Husky are not HDB-approved and may only be kept in private residential property (condominiums or landed housing).

The approved list is maintained at hdb.gov.sg and is subject to amendment. If you are bringing a dog to Singapore and will be living in an HDB flat, check that your breed appears on the current approved list before finalising your move. The AVS import process and the HDB housing rules are administered by different authorities — passing AVS import requirements does not grant HDB housing permission.

Summary checklist

• 1. Check whether your breed is on the prohibited breeds list at avs.nparks.gov.sg — if so, importation is not possible
• 2. Check your origin country's Schedule (1–4) to determine what tests and quarantine apply
• 3. Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip — must be done FIRST
• 4. Administer rabies vaccination (if required by your Schedule) — must be after microchip
• 5. Wait the required post-vaccination period (usually at least 30 days) before drawing blood for RNATT
• 6. Book RNATT at an AVS-approved laboratory; result must meet 0.5 IU/mL
• 7. Apply for AVS import licence via GoBusiness portal once RNATT result is confirmed passing
• 8. Book IATA-compliant crate and flight (cargo or baggage, as appropriate)
• 9. Obtain government-endorsed veterinary health certificate within the specified pre-departure window
• 10. For manifest cargo: book CAPQ inspection at Changi at least 5 business days before departure
• 11. On arrival: present all documents to AVS; undergo quarantine if required
• 12. Register dog with AVS within the required period after arrival