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Pet Travel from the UK to Singapore: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Bringing your dog or cat from the United Kingdom to Singapore requires careful planning and strict compliance with AVS import regulations. Singapore has specific vaccination, microchip, permit and quarantine requirements. Below is a clear step-by-step guide outlining the process for pets travelling from the UK to Singapore.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Dog or Cat from the UK to Singapore

Step 1 — Check Your Pet Is Eligible

All pets must be 12 weeks of age at the time of export.

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Singapore does not allow certain dog and cat breeds to be imported.

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Not permitted dog breeds include:

  • Pit Bull types (including Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier and crosses)

  • Akita

  • Tosa

  • Dogo Argentino

  • Boerboel

  • Fila Brasileiro

  • Perro de Presa Canario

  • Neapolitan Mastiff

  • Their crosses

 

Not permitted cats:

  • Bengal or Savannah crosses of 4th generation or below

 

If you are unsure about breed classification, this should be clarified before starting the process.

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Step 2 - Singapore Housing Pet Limits (HDB vs Private Property)

Singapore sets limits on how many pets you can keep depending on your housing type.

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  • Private (non-HDB) homes: up to 3 pets total (cats and/or dogs combined)

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  • In private homes, only one “specified dog” breed is allowed within that total

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Breed approval rules apply — owners should always check the current approved dog breed list before planning import.

Step 3 — Ensure Your Pet Has a Compliant Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compatible microchip before certification.

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  • Microchip number must appear on all records and certificates

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  • If the chip is non-ISO, you must provide a compatible scanner at arrival

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We will scan and verify the chip during certification.

Step 4 — Vaccination Requirements Before Export 

Your pet must have core vaccinations completed and properly recorded by a veterinarian before travel.

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Dog Vaccines - Distemper, Hepatitis & Parvovirus

 

Cat Vaccines - Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia

 

The number of vaccinations required depends on your pet’s age at export:

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If your pet is under 16 weeks old at the time of export:

  • Two separate vaccinations are required

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  • The first must be given no earlier than 6 weeks of age

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  • The second must be given at least 2 weeks before travel

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If your pet is 16 weeks or older at export:

  • One completed vaccination course is required

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  • The final vaccination must be given at least 2 weeks before travel

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All vaccinations must be administered and certified by a veterinarian, and the original vaccination record (from regular vets) must travel with your pet.

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Step 5 — Obtain a Singapore Dog or Cat Licence (PALS)

Before you can apply for your Singapore import permit, you must first obtain a dog or cat licence through Singapore’s Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS).

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  • A pet licence is mandatory for import

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  • The licence must be issued before you apply for the import permit

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  • The licence details must match your pet’s microchip and owner information

 

Once your pet licence is approved, you can proceed with the Singapore import permit application and export certification process.

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Step 6 — Apply for the Singapore Import Permit

You (or your agent) must apply for a Singapore AVS Import Permit before your pet can travel.

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  • You should apply at least 30 days before arrival

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  • Processing usually takes 1–3 business days, depending on the service level selected

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  • Once issued, the permit is valid for 90 days

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Important for mixed or cross-breed dogs:
You must include a clear colour photo with the application showing your dog’s face and full body. This is used by the authorities to confirm the dog is not a prohibited breed.

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We recommend securing the import permit early, as the export certificate and travel booking must align with the permit validity window.

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Step 7 — Book Your Pet’s Flight

Once your destination requirements and timeline are confirmed, you should arrange your pet’s flight with an airline or approved pet transport company.

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When booking:

  • confirm the airline accepts pets for your chosen route

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  • check whether your pet must travel as manifest cargo or accompanied baggage

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  • ensure the arrival airport is approved for live animal entry where required

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  • confirm crate size and airline transport rules

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  • share your planned flight date with us so we can schedule all veterinary checks, tests, and certificate timing correctly

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We recommend booking flights before the final certification appointments, but only after the medical and permit timelines have been reviewed to avoid date conflicts.

Step 8 — Flight Must Meet IATA Live Animal Standards

Transport must comply with IATA Live Animal Regulations:

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  • Approved crate

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  • Correct sizing

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  • Proper labelling

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  • Airline-approved routing

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Your airline or pet shipper usually handles this — but errors here can cause refusal.

Step 9 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 7106)

Before we can certify your dog/cat for travel to Singapore, the official Export Health Certificate (EHC 7106) must be requested from DEFRA.

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To start this process:

  • You confirm us as your chosen Official Veterinarian

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  • The EHC is then issued through DEFRA to us for completion and signing

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We guide you through this request step to make sure the correct certificate is issued and linked to your export — please do not apply for a certificate without confirming the details with us first.

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Step 10 — Arrange a Singapore GST (Customs In-Payment) Permit

Pet imports into Singapore require a Customs In-Payment (GST) permit.

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  • A GST permit must be obtained for your pet import

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  • This is handled through Singapore Customs

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  • The permit should be organised before arrival (the government guidance allows this within 14 days of arrival, but in practice it is best arranged in advance to avoid delays)

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Your forwarding agent or pet transport company will normally manage this step for you.

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Step 11 — Book Your Singapore Border Inspection Appointment

You must book a border inspection appointment for your pet before arrival in Singapore.

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  • The inspection must be booked at least 5 days before arrival (earlier is recommended)

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  • You must include:

    • AVS import licence number

    • flight details

    • contact number

 

Do not arrive without a booking:
Pets presented without an appointment are subject to an additional inspection fee charged hourly by the authorities.

 

Inspection locations:

  • Pets arriving by air are inspected at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ)

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  • Pets arriving by land are inspected at Tuas Checkpoint

 

Your pet shipper or agent can usually arrange this booking on your behalf if requested.

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Step 12 — Internal & External Parasite Treatment

Dogs and cats must receive treatment against internal and external parasites shortly before travel.

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  • Treatment must be given between 2 and 7 days before export

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  • Products must be veterinary-approved and licensed

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  • Treatments must be administered or confirmed by a veterinarian — owner-applied products are not accepted unless verified

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Timing is important — if treatment falls outside the 2–7 day window, the certificate will not be valid and travel may be delayed.

Step 13 — Final Clinical Examination & Fitness to Travel Certificate

Within 7 days of travel, we carry out a full clinical examination of your pet.

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During this appointment we:

  • perform a health check

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  • verify your pet shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease

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  • confirm your pet is fit to travel

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  • complete and sign the Export Health Certificate

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Important:
The export certificate is valid for 7 days from the date of examination, so your travel date must fall within this window.

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We schedule this appointment carefully to align with your flight and treatment timing requirements.

Step 14 — Provide Residency Declaration

You must sign a declaration confirming your pet has been:

  • Resident in the UK since birth, or

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  • Resident in the UK (or another Singapore Category A country) for at least 6 months, or

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  • Previously imported directly from Singapore

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We provide the declaration template for you to sign during the EHC appointment.

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Step 15 — Captain / Airline Declaration Required

Singapore requires a Captain’s or Airline Declaration confirming:

  • Your pet travelled from a Category A country (UK qualifies)

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  • No animals from non-approved countries were carried alongside

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  • Your pet did not leave the airport during transit

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Airlines are familiar with this (be sure to discuss this during flight organisation)— click this link to access the relevant declaration form.

Step 16 — Follow the Official Arrival Procedure

Arrival procedures differ depending on how your pet enters Singapore.

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If you are using a pet transport agent, they will normally manage this part of the process for you.

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