Moving overseas with your pet involves more than simply booking a flight. Different countries have their own vaccination rules, health certificate requirements, quarantine policies, and airline regulations, which means pet owners often need to start preparing months in advance.
Singapore’s export procedures are managed by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), with requirements designed to ensure pets travel safely and meet the destination country’s import conditions. This guide explains the key steps involved in exporting a pet from Singapore, including timelines, permits, veterinary preparations, and common requirements pet owners should know before travelling.
Step 1: Check the Destination Country’s Import Requirements
Every country has its own pet import regulations, so the first step is to confirm the exact requirements of your destination country before making any travel arrangements. Depending on the country, requirements may include specific vaccinations and vaccination validity periods, veterinary health certificates, and quarantine upon arrival.
Do remember to verify:
- Rabies vaccination timing and validity
- Whether RNATT is required
- Quarantine duration and conditions
- Documentation and microchip requirements
These requirements should always be checked through the destination country’s official government or veterinary authority, as rules can change over time. Since many requirements involve waiting periods or time-sensitive vaccinations, this step should be completed before any other export preparation begins.
Step 2: Determine If Your Pet Is Eligible for Export
Dogs and cats are the most commonly exported pets from Singapore. Before proceeding, owners should confirm that their pet is at least 4 months old, is medically fit for travel, and meets the destination country’s entry requirements.
Some countries may restrict or prohibit certain dog breeds, so this should be verified early in the planning process. Export requirements may also differ depending on the purpose of export, be it personal relocation, temporary travel or re-entry, or commercial export or sale. Confirming eligibility early helps avoid delays, rejected applications, or travel complications later on.
Step 3: Get Your Pet Healthy and Ready for Export
Preparing your pet for export usually takes the longest time, especially if rabies testing or quarantine requirements apply. Depending on the destination country, preparation may need to begin several months before travel.
Microchip Your Pet
Pets must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip before vaccinations or blood tests are performed. The microchip number serves as the primary identification method throughout the export process and must appear consistently across all medical and export records.
Vaccinate Your Pet
Pets must receive all required vaccinations based on the destination country’s regulations. Common core vaccinations include:
| Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|
Rabies vaccination timing is especially important, as some countries require vaccination to be administered within a specific timeframe before travel. Owners should also ensure vaccination records are complete, accurate, and match the pet’s microchip details exactly.
Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) and Quarantine (If Required)
Some countries, including Australia, Japan, and certain European Union member states, require a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). The RNATT must be performed after a rabies vaccination, with blood samples sent to an approved laboratory. The pet must achieve an antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL.
Some countries also impose mandatory waiting periods after the blood test, often around 3 months, before travel is permitted. These timelines are strict and time-sensitive, so owners should start preparations early.
Step 4: Obtain the Required Export Licence
Pet owners must apply for an export licence through the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. The licence should be applied for within 90 days before departure and remains valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Licence fees are:
- S$50 for normal processing (2 working days)
- S$100 for express processing (1 working day)
Information commonly required includes:
- Owner details
- Pet details and microchip number
- Destination country
- Vaccination and RNATT records
Dog owners should also remember to cancel their dog licence in the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) after export. M&P International Freights can assist with export permits, documentation checks, licence applications, and overall coordination of the export process so you can enjoy a more stress-free experience.
Step 5: Obtain Veterinary Health Records
Most destination countries require a veterinary health certificate confirming that the pet is healthy and fit for travel. A licensed veterinarian in Singapore must issue the certificate within 7 days before departure. Some countries provide their own official certificate template, which must be completed exactly as instructed.
The certificate must then be endorsed by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) and submitted to their drop-off box, along with other supporting health documents such as vaccination records, RNATT, or other laboratory test results. Endorsement takes about 2 working days and is usually obtained closer to the departure date, after major export preparations and approvals are already in place.
By comparison, the export licence remains valid for 90 days, so owners typically apply for the licence earlier and arrange the final veterinary certificate shortly before travel.
QR Verifiable Veterinary Health Certificate
If the destination country does not provide an official certificate template, AVS may issue a QR-verifiable veterinary health certificate instead. This certificate contains a QR code for verification purposes and is generally valid for 7 days from the date of issuance.
Step 6: Arrange Pre-Export Inspection (If Required)
Some countries require an official pre-export inspection before pets can depart Singapore. Inspections are conducted at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ), and appointments should usually be booked at least 5 days before departure. During the inspection, officers may:
- Verify the pet’s microchip
- Review export documents
- Conduct a basic health assessment
Note that walk-in inspections may incur additional charges or delays, so remember to make arrangements in advance!
Step 7: Arrange Cargo and Crate
Most pets travelling internationally from Singapore are transported as manifest cargo. Pets must travel in an International Air Transport Association (IATA)-compliant crate.
Travel Crate Requirements
The crate should include:
- A hard-shell structure
- Sufficient space for the pet to stand and turn comfortably
- Adequate ventilation
- Secure locking mechanisms
- Attached food and water containers
- Proper “Live Animal” labelling
Before departure, pet owners should contact the transporting airline to arrange cargo handling and confirm export procedures with ground handling agents. In Singapore, pet exports are typically managed through SATS Gateway Services or DNATA Singapore.
Owners should coordinate with their airline or pet relocation company early, as airline pet policies and cargo procedures vary. Leave us an enquiry if you’d like us to handle the export process for you, from documentation to travel clearance.
Step 8: Arrange Customs Permit (If Required)
Customs permit requirements depend on the type of export. In general:
- Personal accompanied pet exports usually do not require a customs permit
- Manifest cargo or commercial exports usually require a customs export permit
- Temporary exports may require both export and re-import permits
Additionally, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is generally not levied on pet exports from Singapore. Where required, a declaring agent can also assist with permit applications through TradeNet.
Step 9: Departure and Clearance in Singapore
On the day of departure, owners should bring:
- Export licence
- Original veterinary health certificate
- Vaccination records
- Airline booking confirmation
- Destination-specific documents
During clearance, officers may:
- Verify documents
- Scan the microchip
- Conduct a final inspection
- Seal the crate if required
Once clearance is completed, the pet can proceed to the airline cargo check-in and departure.
Your Complete Pet Export Checklist
Exporting a pet involves many steps, but it can be manageable with proper preparation. Use this checklist to track your progress before your pet’s departure date. If you prefer to have expert guidance, we can help manage the pet relocation process and guide you through each stage of your pet’s export journey.
Check Destination Requirements
Meet Health Requirements
Prepare Health Documents
Get Permits and Licences
Shipping Requirements
Departure and Clearance
FAQs About Pet Export From Singapore
How much will it cost to export my pet from Singapore?
When planning to export a pet from Singapore, there are several expenses to budget for. This includes vet visits and health checks, required vaccinations, rabies antibody testing where applicable, the necessary export documentation, airline tickets, and travel crate costs. Inspection and endorsement fees may also apply depending on your situation.
The final figure will look different for every pet owner. Your pet’s breed and size, the country you are heading to, which airline you fly with, and whether procedures like RNATT or certificate legalisation are involved can all push costs up or down considerably.
Every pet relocation comes with its own set of requirements. Reach out to our team and let us handle the arrangements for your pet’s journey.
What paperwork does my pet need for travel to another country?
The paperwork required to export your pet from Singapore depends on your destination country’s import regulations, but several core documents are commonly required. These include:
- Export licence issued by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)
- Veterinary health certificate (standard, endorsed, or QR-verifiable depending on destination)
- Vaccination records (including rabies certificate)
- Microchip identification records
- Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) results (if required)
- Import permit from the destination country (if applicable)
- Airline booking confirmation
It is important to ensure that all documents are accurate, consistent with your pet’s microchip number, and that the original copies travel with your pet to avoid delays, quarantine, or refusal of entry.
What is the difference in the pet export process between travelling and relocating?
Travelling with a pet usually refers to short-term trips, such as holidays or temporary stays overseas, while relocating your pet involves moving them permanently/long-term to another country.
Temporary travel generally requires fewer documents than a relocation. For example, the documents required for cross-border travel to Malaysia only include a rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate, import permit, and microchip records.
Relocation is often more complex and may involve rabies antibody testing (RNATT), quarantine, export permits, and stricter country-specific requirements. Timelines are also much longer and can take several months, depending on the destination country.
If you’re planning a pet relocation, get in touch with us, and we’ll help coordinate the travel arrangements, documentation, and logistics to make your pet’s move safe, comfortable, and stress-free.
Do I need an export license if I'm driving from Singapore to Malaysia with my pet for a short trip?
No, but short-term cross-border travel to Malaysia still requires certain official documents for customs clearance, even if you are only travelling for a weekend or short holiday. In most cases, pet owners will need:
- A Malaysian import permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)
- A valid rabies vaccination certificate
- A health certificate issued by an AVS-accredited veterinarian in Singapore
- A registered microchip
The Malaysian import permit should usually be applied for 2 to 3 weeks before travel. When crossing the border, owners should carry printed copies of all documents, as Malaysian authorities may request them at the checkpoint. For the return journey to Singapore, pets will generally require a fresh health certificate and rabies documentation issued in Malaysia before re-entry.