Before your cat can enter Singapore from Malaysia, you need an AVS Import Licence — a permit issued by Singapore's Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) that authorises your specific cat to enter the country. Without this licence, your cat will be refused entry at Tuas Checkpoint regardless of how complete the rest of your documentation is.
Because Malaysia is a Schedule III country, the import licence is a mandatory requirement with no exemptions. This guide explains what the licence is, how to apply, the timing requirements, what it costs, and what happens once it is issued.
What the AVS Import Licence Is
The AVS Import Licence is an official permit issued by Singapore's AVS that authorises a specific consignment of animals to enter Singapore. For personal cat imports from Malaysia, it:
- Identifies the specific animal(s) being imported (by microchip number, breed, and owner details)
- Confirms the country of origin (Malaysia)
- Authorises the import on a specified date range
- Triggers the booking of the CAPQ inspection and AQC quarantine slot
The licence is not transferable between animals and is specific to the declared import. If your travel date changes significantly or you need to add a second cat, the licence may need to be amended or reapplied.
Who Applies: The April 2026 Agent Requirement
Before April 1, 2026, cat owners could apply for the import licence themselves through the PALS portal. From April 1, 2026, an AVS-recognised relocation agent must submit the application on your behalf.
This is not a technicality — AVS enforces it. An application submitted by an individual owner after April 2026 will not be processed the same way as one submitted by a recognised agent. Engaging your agent early is essential.
See our guide on Singapore's mandatory agent rule for 2026 for full details.
Where to Apply: The PALS Portal
Import licences for personal pet imports are submitted through the PALS (Pet Animal Licensing System) portal at pals.avs.gov.sg. Your agent accesses this portal under their licensed credentials.
The PALS portal requires:
- Owner's personal details (NRIC/FIN or passport number, address in Singapore)
- Cat's details: name, breed, sex, date of birth, microchip number
- Country of origin: Malaysia
- Intended entry date and checkpoint (Tuas)
- Supporting documents: titre test certificate, vaccination records
The 21-Business-Day Lead Time
This is the most important timing rule for the import licence. The application must be submitted at least 21 business days before your cat's intended arrival date in Singapore.
21 business days is approximately 4–5 calendar weeks, excluding weekends and Singapore public holidays. AVS processes applications within this window; submitting later than 21 business days before arrival risks the licence not being ready in time.
Example: If your cat is crossing Tuas on June 15, you need to submit the application no later than approximately May 9 (21 business days back, excluding weekends and Singapore public holidays).
Given that your agent needs your complete documentation set — including the titre test certificate — before they can submit, you need to have completed the titre test and received the result before this application window opens. Plan your titre test early enough to allow for this.
For detailed timing guidance, see how to bring a cat from Malaysia to Singapore.
Import Licence Fees
Personal import fee: S$50 per consignment
A consignment may include more than one animal. The fee is S$50 regardless of whether you are importing one cat or three. However, if you are importing more than three cats, a separate Cat Licence may also be required — your agent will advise if this applies to your import.
Payment is made through the PALS portal at the time of application.
What Schedule III Means for Your Application
Malaysia's Schedule III classification means the import licence application must include specific additional documentation that would not be required for Schedule I or II countries:
| Document | Schedule I | Schedule II | Schedule III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccination certificate | Not always required | Required | Required |
| Rabies titre test ≥0.5 IU/mL | Not required | Required | Required |
| 90-day waiting period confirmation | Not required | Required | Required |
| AQC quarantine booking | Not required | Sometimes | Required |
AVS reviews your titre test timing as part of the licence application. If the blood draw date does not allow 90 days to elapse before your intended travel date, the application will not be approved for that date.
What the Import Licence Looks Like
Once approved, the AVS Import Licence is a formal document that includes:
- Licence number (reference for all subsequent dealings)
- Owner's name and Singapore address
- Cat's identity details (microchip number, breed, sex)
- Approved entry date range
- Entry checkpoint: Tuas
- Conditions of import (including mandatory 30-day AQC quarantine)
Keep a certified copy for travel day. The original or a certified copy must be presented at the Tuas CAPQ inspection. Your agent will typically hold the working copies and provide you with the reference number.
What Happens After the Licence Is Issued
The import licence alone does not mean your cat can enter Singapore. It must be accompanied by the full documentation set on travel day:
- AVS Import Licence (approved)
- Veterinary Health Certificate from Malaysian DVS-accredited vet (issued within 7 days of travel)
- Rabies titre test certificate (≥0.5 IU/mL, blood draw date shown)
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- AQC quarantine booking confirmation
- CAPQ inspection appointment confirmation (booked by agent via iFAST)
- Singapore Customs GST permit (if applicable)
The import licence is the authorisation; the other documents are the evidence that the authorisation conditions have been met.
What Can Delay or Reject the Application
Titre test timing not met. If your blood draw date plus 90 days falls after your intended travel date, AVS will not approve the licence for that date. You either extend your travel date or re-test.
Microchip number mismatch. If the microchip number on your titre test certificate does not match your application, AVS will query or reject the application.
Missing documents. An incomplete application is not processed. Your agent should ensure all documents are submitted together.
Application submitted too late. Less than 21 business days before travel means the licence may not be ready in time. AVS does not offer expedited processing as a standard service.
Amending the Licence After Approval
If your travel date changes after the licence is approved:
- Minor date changes (a few days): contact AVS or your agent immediately. A licence amendment may be possible within the approved date range.
- Significant date changes: a new application may be required. Check with your agent whether the existing licence can be amended or must be reapplied.
Do not travel on a different date from the one on your licence without confirming the change with AVS.
How Pawsport Express Handles the Import Licence
We submit the AVS Import Licence application as part of our standard Malaysia–Singapore cat import service. We review your titre test and vaccination timing before applying to confirm AVS will approve it for your travel date. After submission, we monitor the application status and alert you once the licence is issued.
Request a quote for your cat's import from Malaysia.
Requirements are based on AVS guidelines as of May 2026. Verify current fees and application procedures at avs.nparks.gov.sg before applying.