India is classified as Schedule III by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Every dog or cat imported from India must complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) on arrival in Singapore. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
The process is longer and more complex than Schedule I or II routes, but it is manageable with the right preparation and timeline. Most issues on this route come from starting too late or using laboratories not on Singapore's approved list.
All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.
What Schedule III Means for India Imports
Schedule III classification means your pet must:
- Complete a rabies titre test (minimum result: ≥0.5 IU/mL) at a WOAH-approved laboratory
- Wait 90 days from the blood draw date before travelling
- Complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the AQC on arrival in Singapore
- Have AQC space pre-booked via the AVS Quarantine Management System (QMS) before travel
- Clear CAPQ via an AVS-recognised agent (mandatory from April 2026)
What You Need to Do, In Order
The sequence is non-negotiable. Steps taken out of order invalidate the titre test and require you to restart.
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785) | Before everything else |
| 2 | Rabies vaccination administered | After microchip is confirmed readable |
| 3 | Blood draw for titre test | Minimum 28 days after rabies vaccination |
| 4 | Send sample to WOAH-approved laboratory | Immediately after draw |
| 5 | 90-day wait from blood draw date | Hard cutoff — clock starts on draw date |
| 6 | Book AQC quarantine space via QMS | As early as possible once travel date is set |
| 7 | Engage AVS-recognised CAPQ agent | 8–10 weeks before arrival |
| 8 | Apply for AVS import licence | Via agent; S$50 normal, S$100 express |
| 9 | Veterinary health certificate issued | Within 7 days of departure |
| 10 | Singapore Customs GST permit obtained | Agent handles prior to arrival |
| 11 | Pet arrives at Changi, agent handles CAPQ | Arrival day |
| 12 | Pet transferred to AQC for 30-day stay | Immediately after CAPQ clearance |
Minimum timeline from start to release from AQC: 6–8 months.
Microchip Requirements
Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15-digit chip) implanted before any vaccinations are recorded. The chip number must appear on every subsequent document: vaccination records, titre test result, health certificate, and import licence.
Many pets in India are microchipped with ISO-compliant chips, but verify this with your vet. Older or non-standard chips may not be readable by the scanner at CAPQ. A chip that cannot be read at CAPQ causes clearance delays and may require re-chipping at the vet before the inspection can proceed.
Titre Test: Which Lab to Use
Singapore accepts rabies titre test results from WOAH-approved laboratories only. Check the current approved list at avs.nparks.gov.sg before submitting the blood sample.
The result must show:
- Your pet's microchip number
- Date blood was drawn
- Laboratory name and accreditation details
- Titre level in IU/mL (must be ≥0.5 IU/mL)
If the result is below 0.5 IU/mL: The vaccination must be repeated and the blood draw must be repeated. The 90-day wait restarts from the new draw date. This adds at least 3 months to your timeline. Building buffer time into your schedule is strongly advisable.
Health Certificate: Government Endorsement Required
The veterinary health certificate must be:
- Issued by a licensed veterinarian in India
- Endorsed by an official government veterinarian from India's Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DAHDF) or the relevant state authority
The certificate is valid for approximately 7 days from the date of government endorsement. Time the vet appointment and government endorsement carefully against your departure date.
Booking the AQC Quarantine
You must book your pet's AQC quarantine space before travel. Spaces are limited and should be booked as soon as your arrival date is set.
Booking is done through the AVS Quarantine Management System (QMS). Your CAPQ agent can assist with this.
AQC fees (effective 1 December 2025):
| Accommodation | Daily rate |
|---|---|
| Fan-fitted kennel/room | S$26 |
| Air-conditioned kennel/room | S$35 |
Other costs:
- Transport from CAPQ to AQC: S$75 per animal
- Total AQC stay (30 days, air-conditioned): approximately S$1,050 for the quarantine period
Kennel dimensions:
- Dogs: 4.3m x 1.8m x 2.14m with indoor room and outdoor run
- Cats: 1.7m x 1.2m x 2m
Visiting hours:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 3pm to 5pm
- Saturday: 2pm to 5pm
- No visits on other days
Release: Between 10am and 12pm on the release date. No extensions are permitted. Arrange transport from AQC to your home in advance.
CAPQ Clearance from April 2026
From 1 April 2026, all pet imports to Singapore require an AVS-recognised agent for CAPQ clearance. You cannot access CAPQ directly. Your agent collects your pet from the airline cargo hold, presents all documents at CAPQ, and arranges transfer to the AQC.
CAPQ operating hours:
- 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. A Saturday arrival cannot be cleared until Monday, meaning your pet remains in airline cargo over the weekend — this adds stress and may incur additional holding fees.
Singapore Customs GST Permit
Your agent obtains a Singapore Customs permit before your pet's arrival. GST relief may apply if you have owned your pet for at least 6 months and meet Singapore residency criteria. Your agent handles the Declaration of Facts and permit application. Even if GST-exempt, the customs permit is mandatory.
What the AQC Stay Involves
Your pet lives at the AQC for the full 30 days. The facility is staffed and provides daily care including feeding, water, and basic veterinary monitoring. You can visit on scheduled days.
Bring the following for your pet's AQC stay:
- Your pet's usual food (if specific diet is required; confirm with AQC beforehand)
- Comfort items that fit within kennel requirements (blanket, toy)
- Any ongoing medications (with written dosage instructions for staff)
On arrival at the AQC, your pet will receive a rabies vaccination if not already vaccinated. If your pet has a valid titre test result, this may be noted but standard AQC protocol applies for all Schedule III animals.
Common Mistakes on the India Route
Starting without a confirmed approved lab. Not all Indian veterinary laboratories are on Singapore's WOAH-approved list. Confirm the lab before sending the blood sample — a result from an unapproved lab is not accepted and the test must be repeated.
Missing the sequence. Vaccination before microchip means the chip number cannot be linked to the titre test result. The test must be repeated after re-chipping.
Not booking the AQC early enough. AQC spaces are limited. Booking close to the arrival date risks unavailability, which means your travel date may need to change.
Flying on a weekend. CAPQ is closed on weekends. Plan the flight to arrive Monday through Friday.
Timeline at a Glance
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Microchip confirmed, rabies vaccination given |
| Month 1–2 | Blood draw (28 days post-vaccination), sample sent to lab |
| Month 2–5 | 90-day wait; book AQC via QMS; engage CAPQ agent |
| Month 4–5 | Apply for AVS import licence; confirm AQC booking |
| Month 5–6 | Health certificate (within 7 days of travel) |
| Arrival day | Agent handles CAPQ clearance, transfers pet to AQC |
| Day 1–30 | Pet in AQC quarantine |
| Day 30 | Pet released to owner |
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog has been vaccinated against rabies multiple times in India. Does that reduce the quarantine? No. The 30-day quarantine applies to all Schedule III imports regardless of vaccination history. The quarantine period is fixed.
Can I visit my pet every day during quarantine? No. Visiting hours are Tuesday and Thursday 3pm to 5pm and Saturday 2pm to 5pm only. Plan your visits around these times.
My cat will be stressed by the quarantine. Is there anything I can do? Familiar-smelling items (a worn t-shirt, a favourite toy) can help. Discuss anti-anxiety options with your vet before travel. Most animals adjust within the first few days. The AQC staff are experienced with pet care.
Can I send my pet to Singapore first and join them later? Yes, but home quarantine triggers apply to Schedule II routes, not Schedule III. For Schedule III, the AQC quarantine applies regardless. Your pet goes directly from CAPQ to AQC and stays for 30 days whether you are there or not.
What is the total cost for a pet import from India? Costs include the titre test, health certificate government endorsement, import licence, agent fee, AQC quarantine, and customs permit. See our Singapore pet import cost guide for a full breakdown.
Bringing your dog or cat from India to Singapore? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote. We handle Schedule III imports from India and can help coordinate every step from the titre test to AQC release.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Always verify current requirements before starting the process.