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Bringing a Dog from the USA to Singapore: Requirements & Timeline

A ~4-month route: the US is 'Schedule II', so a rabies titer with a mandatory 90-day post-draw wait sets the timeline.

Rules last verified against official sources: 2026-08-23

Planning for a cat instead? See the cat version of this route →

Pick your travel date to get a dated, backward-planned checklist. (This tool needs JavaScript; the full requirements are listed below either way.)

Singapore is the toughest of the common Asia routes. You need an ISO 11784/11785 microchip before the rabies vaccination (from 12 weeks old), then a rabies titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml drawn at least 28 days after the shot — and export only 90 days after that draw. That 90-day post-draw wait, not the paperwork, is what makes this a roughly four-month process.

On top of the titer: the canine core vaccines, a Singapore dog licence (which must be applied for before the import licence), an AVS import licence via the GoBusiness portal (valid 90 days), parasite treatment and an AVS health certificate with an original ink APHIS endorsement (a digital one isn't accepted). Air arrivals clear at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station.

Minimum lead time: about 3.9 months (118 days). Plan about 4 months. Singapore treats the US as 'Schedule II' — a rabies titer with a mandatory 90-day wait after the blood draw is the binding constraint, and dogs need a separate dog licence first.
Going on vacation, not moving? The same timeline still applies. Singapore makes no exception for tourists or short stays — these rules apply to every dog and cat entering the country, so a two-week holiday needs the same months of preparation as a permanent move. There is no short-stay shortcut.
Already vaccinated, or already have a titer result? You may be months ahead. Most of Singapore's 118-day lead time is the rabies-antibody (titer) wait. If your dog already passed a titer — and it's still valid on your travel date — use the “How far along is your pet?” selector in the planner above to re-plan from what's left. A titer that's already cleared its waiting period can turn a “too late” into “on track.”

The requirements, in order

Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.

  1. ISO microchip implanted
    An ISO 11784/11785 microchip, implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination — its number must appear on every vaccination and treatment record.
    Official source ↗
  2. Rabies vaccination (from 12 weeks of age)
    An inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine acceptable to AVS, given after the microchip. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at export.
    Official source ↗
  3. Rabies antibody (RNATT) test — starts the 90-day wait
    Blood drawn at least 28 days after the rabies vaccination, with a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a WOAH reference lab. Your pet may only be exported at least 90 days after the blood draw, and the draw must be within 12 months of export. That 90-day post-draw wait is the binding constraint.
    Official source ↗
  4. Core vaccinations (dogs)
    Valid vaccination against canine distemper, canine adenovirus type 1, and canine parvovirus type 2.
    Official source ↗
  5. Apply for a dog licence (dogs, before the import licence)
    Dogs need a Singapore dog licence, which must be applied for BEFORE the AVS import licence.
    Official source ↗
  6. AVS import licence + arrival inspection booking
    Apply for the AVS import licence via the GoBusiness portal about 30 days before arrival (valid 90 days), and book your arrival inspection at least 5 working days ahead. Air arrivals clear at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station.
    Official source ↗
  7. Parasite treatment + health certificate (ink-endorsed by USDA)
    Between 2 and 7 days before export: internal and external parasite treatment, and the AVS health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited vet. Singapore requires an original ink APHIS endorsement (with embossing), not a digital one.
    Official source ↗

Breed bans and housing limits

Singapore bans several dog types and their crosses — pit-bull types, Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Presa Canario. HDB flats allow only 1 dog; private homes up to 3. There's no station quarantine if your dog arrives within 5 days of you and you've owned it 6+ months; otherwise a minimum 10-day home quarantine applies.

The return trip

Singapore is not a CDC high-risk country, so the US return is the simpler CDC process. Cats follow the same titer + 90-day-wait chain but skip the dog licence and breed rules.

The trip home: bringing your dog back to the US

Good news — Singapore isn't a CDC high-risk country, so the return is simple. A US-vaccinated dog needs only the free CDC Dog Import Form (a receipt valid 6 months, reusable), a microchip, to be at least 6 months old, and to appear healthy — no titer or endorsed rabies certificate for re-entry. Cats have no CDC requirement either way (Hawaii and Guam set their own quarantine even from the mainland).

Official sources

These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.

FAQ

How long does it take to bring a dog from the US to Singapore?
About 4 months. The rabies titer carries a mandatory 90-day wait after the blood draw, and that wait sets the floor — not the licences or paperwork. The planner computes your exact dates.
Why does my dog need a separate dog licence?
Singapore requires a dog licence that must be applied for BEFORE the AVS import licence. Cats don't need it. Both are handled ahead of travel.
Does Singapore accept a digital USDA endorsement?
No — Singapore requires an original ink APHIS endorsement (with embossing) on the health certificate, not a digital VEHCS one. Plan the mailing time.
Is it different for cats?
Cats face the same titer and 90-day wait but skip the dog licence and breed ban; HDB flats allow 2 cats. Use the cat toggle in the planner.

Other dog routes

Compare every country's lead time, titer and return requirements side by side →

Disclaimer: Preflight Pet is a planning aid, not legal or veterinary advice. Import rules change; airlines add their own requirements. Always confirm every step with the official government sources linked on this page, and with your airline and accredited veterinarian, before booking travel.
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