The animals must be accompanied by veterinary health certificates from the exporting country. The animals must also meet AVA's veterinary and quarantine requirements. For more details on AVA's requirements for import of animals for commercial purposes, please click here.

To import dogs, cats, birds or small mammals for commercial purpose, you must first have a premise which has already been licensed by AVA to keep the animals in captivity.

You must also apply for an AVA import permit. Application for the permit can be made online: Permit to import/Export/Transship of Animals, Birds, Eggs and Biologics

The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and the fee is S$87 per permit. The permit is for one consignment only.

A surcharge would be imposed (in addition to the permit fee) if a permit is required to be processed within a period shorter than the service standard of 2 working days. The surcharge will be an amount equivalent to the permit fee.

If the birds are listed as endangered species, an additional CITES import permit is required. The cost for the CITES import permit is S$12 per species subject to a minimum of $60 per consignment. To apply for the CITES import permit, you will need to provide the CITES export/re-export permit from the exporting country. You can contact the Wildlife Regulatory Branch (WRB) at Tel: 6325 7281 to find out if a CITES permit is required.

Upon arrival, the animals are subject to inspection.

All dogs and cats imported from any country other than Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Ireland need to be quarantined for at least 30 days at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS). Quarantine is mandatory.

The dog or cat will also be vaccinated against rabies in the quarantine station.

The charges for quarantine are as follows:
i. Non air-con kennel (for 30 days) - S$643per pet
ii. Air-con kennel (for 30 days) - S$926.50 per pet

The charges cover accommodation, transport to SAQS, veterinary examination and rabies vaccination.

Should the dog or cat need to be quarantined in Singapore, you are advised to apply to AVA for quarantine space at least 2 (two) months in advance of anticipated arrival of your pets in Singapore.

The animal will be placed on the waitlist and AVA will inform you of space availability approximately one month prior to your indicated date of arrival of your pets. Upon confirmation of the quarantine space, you may proceed to submit your application for the import permit and the application/acceptance of quarantine space for your pets.

For the reservation for quarantine of dogs/cats, please click here.

All imported small mammals (e.g. hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits) need to be quarantined for 14 days. The quarantine premises must be approved by AVA.