Hong Kong SAR is classified as Schedule II by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. That means a rabies titre test is mandatory, a 90-day waiting period applies after the blood draw, and CAPQ clearance requires an AVS-recognised agent from April 2026.
This route has become one of the most frequently requested pet import queries, given the volume of Hong Kong families relocating to Singapore in recent years. The documentation is manageable, but the timeline is not forgiving. Starting late is the most common and most expensive mistake.
All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.
Hong Kong's Schedule Classification
Hong Kong SAR is Schedule II for Singapore pet imports. It is not Schedule I. This is a common misconception among pet owners who assume Hong Kong's developed veterinary infrastructure places it in the simpler category.
Schedule II means:
- Rabies titre test is mandatory (minimum result: ≥0.5 IU/mL)
- 90-day waiting period from blood draw date before your pet can travel
- Home quarantine may apply in specific circumstances on arrival
- Full CAPQ clearance via an AVS-recognised agent is required
What You Need to Do, In Order
The sequence matters. Doing steps out of order invalidates your titre test result and restarts the clock.
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785) | Before anything else |
| 2 | Rabies vaccination administered | After microchip is confirmed readable |
| 3 | Blood draw for titre test | Minimum 28 days after rabies vaccination |
| 4 | Send blood to WOAH-approved laboratory | Immediately after draw |
| 5 | 90-day wait from blood draw date | Clock starts on draw date, not result date |
| 6 | Apply for AVS import licence | Via PALS/GoBusiness, allow processing time (S$50 normal, S$100 express) |
| 7 | Arrange CAPQ agent | 8–10 weeks before arrival |
| 8 | Veterinary health certificate issued | Within 7 days of departure |
| 9 | Singapore Customs GST permit obtained | Agent handles prior to arrival |
| 10 | CAPQ clearance at Changi | Agent presents all documents on arrival day |
Minimum timeline from start to arrival in Singapore: 5–6 months.
Microchip Requirements
Your pet's microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784/11785 (15-digit chip). Most Hong Kong-registered pets already have ISO-compliant chips, as Hong Kong uses this standard. Confirm the chip number is readable before proceeding — a non-readable chip at CAPQ causes clearance delays.
The microchip number must appear on every subsequent document: vaccination records, titre test result, and health certificate.
Titre Test: Which Lab to Use
Singapore requires a titre test result from a WOAH-approved laboratory. The lab you use must appear on the current AVS approved laboratory list at avs.nparks.gov.sg.
For Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Government Laboratory is a WOAH-listed facility that can conduct the rabies serology test. Your vet in Hong Kong can advise on sample submission procedures to AFCD or other approved labs.
The result must show:
- Your pet's microchip number
- Date blood was drawn
- The laboratory's name and accreditation
- The titre level in IU/mL (must be ≥0.5 IU/mL)
Keep the original result. Your agent will present it at CAPQ.
If the result is below 0.5 IU/mL: Re-vaccinate and repeat the blood draw. The 90-day clock restarts from the new draw date. This adds at least 3 months to your timeline. Starting early gives you room to manage this if it happens.
Veterinary Health Certificate
The health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in Hong Kong and endorsed by a Hong Kong government official veterinarian. It is valid for 7 days from the date of issue, so it must be timed close to your pet's departure.
Singapore does not accept the EU pet passport format. The health certificate must meet Singapore's specific requirements — your vet in Hong Kong and your CAPQ agent can advise on the correct format.
Home Quarantine
Home quarantine applies to Schedule II imports in two specific circumstances:
- Your pet arrives more than 5 days after you enter Singapore
- Your pet has been in your care for less than 6 months
If home quarantine applies, your agent applies for approval at least 4 weeks before your pet arrives. The cost is S$29 per animal per day for smart collar monitoring, paid upfront (S$290 for the full 10-day period). Your pet stays at your designated Singapore address for 10 days.
If neither trigger applies, no quarantine is required.
CAPQ Clearance from April 2026
From 1 April 2026, all pet imports to Singapore must be handled by an AVS-recognised agent for CAPQ clearance. You cannot attend CAPQ directly. Your agent collects your pet from the airline cargo hold at Changi Airfreight Centre, presents all documents at CAPQ, and arranges transport to your home.
CAPQ operating hours (from 1 April 2026):
- Monday and Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
- Saturday, Sunday, public holidays: closed
- Lunch break: 1pm to 2pm daily
Book your pet's flight to arrive on a weekday and outside the lunch break. A Saturday arrival cannot be cleared until Monday.
Singapore Customs GST Permit
Your agent handles the Singapore Customs permit required for importing your pet. GST relief may apply if you have owned your pet for at least 6 months and meet residency criteria. Even if GST-exempt, the customs permit itself is mandatory and must be obtained before your pet's arrival.
Common Mistakes on the Hong Kong Route
Starting too late. The 90-day wait is the hard constraint. If your move date is set, count back 5–6 months from when you want your pet to arrive. If you are already inside that window, your pet will need to travel separately after you.
Using a non-approved laboratory. Not all Hong Kong veterinary labs are on Singapore's approved list. Confirm with your agent before sending the blood sample.
Wrong chip format. Older Hong Kong identity chips (e.g., 10-digit chips used historically) may not be ISO 11784/11785 compliant. Verify this with your vet before starting the vaccination sequence.
Booking a flight without confirming the agent. Engage your CAPQ agent before booking the airline. The agent confirms whether your arrival date is a CAPQ-open day and coordinates all documentation timing.
Timeline at a Glance
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Microchip confirmed, rabies vaccination given |
| Month 1–2 | Blood draw (28 days post-vaccination), titre test submitted |
| Month 2–5 | 90-day wait from blood draw |
| Month 4–5 | Engage CAPQ agent, apply for import licence |
| Month 5–6 | Health certificate issued within 7 days of travel |
| Arrival day | Agent handles CAPQ clearance, transports pet to you |
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog was vaccinated in Hong Kong against rabies. Does that count? Yes, if the vaccination was administered after the microchip was implanted and the chip was readable at the time of vaccination. The vaccination record must show the microchip number, date, vaccine brand, and vet's details.
Can I bring both my dogs at once? Yes. Each dog is processed individually. Separate titre test results, separate health certificates, and separate import licences are required. Fees apply per animal.
My cat has never left Hong Kong. Do they need a titre test? Yes. All Schedule II imports require a titre test regardless of the pet's travel history. The requirement is based on the origin country's schedule classification, not the individual animal's history.
How much does an agent cost for this route? Fees vary by service scope. Basic clearance (no quarantine) typically starts from S$999. Get a fixed-price quote from your agent before committing. See our Singapore pet import cost guide for a full breakdown.
My Hong Kong vet says the titre test is not necessary because Hong Kong is rabies-free. Hong Kong's rabies-free status does not affect Singapore's import schedule classification. Singapore classifies countries by schedule, and Hong Kong SAR is Schedule II. The titre test is mandatory regardless of the origin country's rabies status within its schedule.
Relocating from Hong Kong to Singapore with your dog or cat? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote. We are on the official AVS-recognised pet agent list and handle Hong Kong imports regularly.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Always verify current requirements before starting the process.