Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Singapore from Indonesia: AVS Schedule III Import Guide

Indonesia is classified as Schedule III by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Every dog or cat arriving from Indonesia — whether from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, or anywhere else in the country — must complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) on arrival in Singapore.

All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.

Why the 6 to 8 Month Timeline Is Real

The 6 to 8 month minimum is not a rough estimate. It is the result of a fixed sequence of steps, each one dependent on the previous, with hard waiting periods built into the process. There is no way to run these steps concurrently or compress the timeline through additional preparation.

The sequence works as follows. The microchip must come first. AVS requires that the microchip be implanted before any vaccination record can be linked to the animal. If your dog or cat already has a chip, it must be confirmed to be an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit chip before you proceed. A chip that does not meet this standard will need to be replaced, and the vaccination sequence restarted from scratch.

Once the microchip is confirmed, the rabies vaccination can be administered. After that, you must wait at least 28 days before drawing blood for the titre test. This waiting period exists because the immune system needs time to develop a measurable antibody response. Drawing blood too early will produce a result that may not meet the required threshold of 0.5 IU/mL.

After the blood draw, the 90-day wait begins. This 90-day period runs from the date of the blood draw, not from the date the result is received. It is a hard cutoff. No matter how urgently you need to travel, the animal cannot enter Singapore until 90 days have passed from the draw date.

During those 90 days, you need to book your slot at the AQC through the AVS QMS (Queue Management System). AQC spaces are limited and fill up, particularly around school holiday periods and the end of the calendar year. If no slot is available when you want to arrive, you will need to delay your travel.

The CAPQ agent, now mandatory for all live animal imports from April 2026, should be engaged 8 to 10 weeks before the planned arrival date. The agent handles the import licence application, coordinates with Singapore Customs on the GST permit, and manages the physical clearance at CAPQ on the day your pet lands.

Pet owners in Jakarta and Bali frequently underestimate how rigid this sequence is. Moving a title test forward by two weeks or shortcutting the endorsement step does not just cause an administrative inconvenience. It means the animal will not be cleared at CAPQ and may need to return to Indonesia. Starting this process with at least 8 months to spare, and ideally longer, is the safest approach.

Schedule III Requirements

Minimum timeline from start to AQC release: 6–8 months.

For a broader overview of what Singapore requires for all incoming pets, see the Singapore pet import requirements guide.

Step-by-Step Process

What Each Step Actually Involves

Several of the steps in the table above have practical details that are not obvious from a checklist. Below is an explanation of the most critical ones.

Titre test in Indonesia. The blood sample must be submitted to a WOAH-approved laboratory. Indonesia has laboratories on the approved list, but you should verify the current list on avs.nparks.gov.sg before sending the sample, as approval status can change. The test measures the level of rabies-neutralising antibodies in the blood. A result of at least 0.5 IU/mL is required. If the result falls below this threshold, your vet will typically advise a booster vaccination followed by a repeat titre test, which resets the 28-day pre-draw wait and the 90-day wait from the new blood draw date.

Health certificate and government endorsement. The health certificate must be completed by a licensed Indonesian veterinarian within 7 days of your pet's departure date. The endorsement process adds time within that same 7-day window. For most dogs and cats, the endorsement is handled by the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services under Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Kementerian Pertanian), submitted to the relevant district or provincial animal health office. For animals classified as protected wildlife species under Indonesian law, endorsement may also involve the BKSDA (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam), the natural resources conservation agency. Most domestic dog and cat breeds fall under Ministry of Agriculture jurisdiction, but if there is any question about your pet's classification, confirm this with your vet before starting the process. The Ministry endorsement typically takes 1 to 3 working days, so the health certificate appointment and endorsement submission need to be coordinated carefully within the validity window.

CAPQ agent role. The Checkpoint for Animals and Plants at Quarantine (CAPQ) is the entry checkpoint at Changi Airport. Since April 2026, all live animal imports into Singapore require a CAPQ-licensed agent to handle clearance. The agent applies for the AVS import licence on your behalf, prepares the declaration documents, coordinates the GST permit with Singapore Customs, and meets your pet at the airport on arrival day to manage the physical handover from the airline cargo shed to the CAPQ inspection point and then onward to the AQC. Without a licensed agent, your pet will not clear CAPQ. Engaging the agent well in advance, at least 8 to 10 weeks before travel, gives enough time for the import licence application and document preparation.

AQC booking via QMS. The Animal Quarantine Centre has a fixed number of kennels and cat rooms. Spaces are booked through the AVS Queue Management System (QMS) and are released in advance for specific arrival dates. During busy periods, slots fill up quickly. If you arrive without a confirmed QMS booking, the AQC cannot accommodate your pet on that date. Book as soon as your 90-day wait end date is known, even if your travel date has not been finalised.

Health Certificate and Government Endorsement

The health certificate must be completed by a licensed Indonesian vet and endorsed by the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services under Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Kementerian Pertanian). The endorsement involves submitting the completed certificate to the relevant district or provincial animal health office.

Allow time for this endorsement within the 7-day validity window of the health certificate.

Titre Test Laboratory

Verify the current list of WOAH-approved laboratories in Indonesia at avs.nparks.gov.sg before submitting the blood sample. Using a non-approved lab means the result will not be accepted at CAPQ.

For reference on how the titre test requirement fits into the broader Singapore import process, see the AVS approved titre test labs guide.

Costs to Budget For

The Indonesia to Singapore move involves costs at several stages. The figures below are indicative ranges based on standard service rates. Actual costs will vary depending on your departure city, the airline route, and the level of service you engage.

Total estimated cost (excluding airfare): S$2,500–S$4,500+, depending on the AQC room type, whether you use a full-service agent, and the airline cargo rate.

The AQC fee is paid directly to AVS and covers the full 30-day stay, including standard feeding. If you want an air-conditioned room rather than a fan-fitted kennel, budget the higher rate. The CAPQ agent fee covers the import licence application, QMS coordination, arrival day handling, and document preparation. Some agents charge separately for individual services if you do not take a full package.

For a more detailed breakdown of what to expect across the full Singapore import process, see the Singapore pet import cost guide.

AQC Quarantine: Key Details

For a full walkthrough of what to expect during the quarantine period, including what to bring for your pet and how the release process works, see the Singapore Animal Quarantine Centre guide.

Common Mistakes Indonesian Pet Owners Make

The Indonesia to Singapore process is unforgiving of sequencing errors. Below are the most common mistakes that result in failed CAPQ clearance or delayed timelines.

Starting vaccination before the microchip is confirmed. The rabies vaccination is only valid for AVS purposes if the microchip was implanted and confirmed before the vaccination was given. If your pet was vaccinated at a clinic that did not check the chip first, or if the chip was implanted at the same appointment as the vaccination, AVS may not accept the vaccination record as valid. Always have the chip scanned and the ISO compliance confirmed in writing before the vaccination appointment.

Using a non-WOAH-approved laboratory. This is one of the most costly errors, because it resets the entire titre test timeline. A result from a laboratory that is not on the current AVS-approved list will be rejected at CAPQ. The animal cannot enter Singapore on the basis of that result. A new blood draw, a new 28-day wait, and a new 90-day wait will be required. Always cross-check the lab against the current AVS list, not a list from a previous year or from a third-party website.

Not pre-booking AQC early enough. Pet owners sometimes assume that because they have a confirmed flight, the AQC will have space. The AQC operates on a fixed capacity and books up, particularly in December, January, and around the school holiday periods. Book your QMS slot as soon as you know your 90-day wait end date, even if the exact travel date is not yet confirmed. You can adjust the arrival date later if needed, but securing a slot early is important.

Health certificate issued too early. The health certificate is only valid for 7 days from the date of issue. If the certificate is issued more than 7 days before the animal arrives in Singapore, it will not be accepted. Coordinate the vet appointment and the Ministry endorsement to fall within the same week as the departure date.

Not allowing enough time for the Ministry of Agriculture endorsement. The endorsement adds 1 to 3 working days on top of the health certificate appointment. Some district offices have longer processing times, particularly outside of Jakarta. If you are based in Bali or another city with a smaller district office, test the timeline with your vet before committing to a travel date.

Airlines from Indonesia to Singapore

Several airlines operate Indonesia-Singapore routes (Jakarta CGK, Bali DPS, Surabaya SUB to Singapore Changi). Not all carriers accept live animals as cargo. Check with each airline's cargo desk directly for your specific route. Budget carriers operating within Southeast Asia typically do not accept animals in the hold.

Frequently Asked Questions

I live in Bali. Are there direct flights to Singapore with pet cargo? Some full-service carriers operate Bali-Singapore routes with cargo capabilities, but availability of live animal shipping varies. Contact airline cargo desks for your specific travel date to confirm.

Can I drive from Batam to Singapore with my pet? Batam is a short ferry ride from Singapore, but Indonesia is Schedule III regardless of the port of entry. Bringing a pet by ferry from Indonesia to Singapore is subject to the same Schedule III requirements, including the 30-day AQC quarantine. Contact AVS for the specific procedures for land/sea entry.

My pet was born in Bali. Do I need a domestic flight to Jakarta before the international leg? Not necessarily. Whether you need to route through Jakarta depends on which airlines service your departure city with live animal cargo acceptance. Some full-service carriers do fly direct from Bali (DPS) to Singapore (SIN) with cargo facilities, but availability is not guaranteed on every flight or season. Check with the airline cargo desk for your specific travel date. If no direct cargo-capable flight is available from Bali, routing through Jakarta or another hub with confirmed live animal cargo service may be the only option. Factor in any domestic leg when calculating your overall timeline and costs.

What happens if my pet fails the titre test? If the titre test result is below 0.5 IU/mL, your vet will typically recommend a rabies booster vaccination followed by a repeat blood draw. The repeat draw must wait at least 28 days after the booster, and then the 90-day wait starts again from the new draw date. This resets a significant portion of your timeline. There is no way to appeal a failed titre test result with AVS. The only path forward is to repeat the vaccination and titre test sequence and wait out the required period before travelling.

Can I visit my dog or cat during the 30-day AQC quarantine? Yes. The AQC allows owner visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm. Visits take place at the AQC facility. You cannot bring food or personal items for your pet without prior approval from the AQC staff. The 30-day quarantine period runs from the day of arrival, and release takes place between 10am and 12pm on day 30.

My pet is a mixed-breed dog of unknown heritage. Do I need a breed check before committing to the move? Yes. If there is any possibility that your mixed-breed dog includes a prohibited or restricted breed, you should get a DNA test or breed assessment before committing to the move. Singapore has a list of prohibited dog breeds that cannot be imported regardless of country of origin. See the prohibited dog breeds guide for the current list.

Is there a maximum age for importing a pet to Singapore from Indonesia? There is no published maximum age limit, but older pets and those with health conditions should be assessed by a vet before a long-haul relocation. Your vet's fitness-to-fly assessment is separate from AVS requirements but is an important step for your pet's welfare.

Travelling via Jakarta vs Bali: What to Consider

Most Indonesia-Singapore pet exports originate from Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta CGK) or Bali (Ngurah Rai DPS). The choice of departure city affects which airlines and cargo options are available to you.

Only certain full-service carriers accept live animal cargo on the Bali-Singapore route (DPS-SIN). Budget carriers including AirAsia, Lion Air, and Scoot do not accept live animal cargo on routes within Indonesia or on international routes. If you are based in Bali and the available Bali-Singapore cargo options do not suit your schedule or your pet's requirements, one alternative is to route your pet on a domestic flight from Bali to Jakarta, followed by an international leg from Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore (SIN). This gives you access to a wider range of cargo-capable carriers on the CGK-SIN route.

Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia both operate the CGK-SIN route with cargo facilities. However, live animal acceptance on any given flight must be confirmed with the airline's cargo desk directly. Cargo desks can confirm whether live animals are accepted on the specific aircraft type operating your flight. Some international airlines accept animals in the hold on certain aircraft but not on others, so confirmation per flight is necessary rather than per airline.

If you are routing through Jakarta from Bali, you will also need to confirm that the domestic carrier you use accepts live animal cargo on the Bali-Jakarta leg. Most budget carriers on that domestic route do not. Contact each airline's cargo desk for written confirmation rather than relying on general policy information. The IATA Container Requirement 1 crate standards apply regardless of which carrier you use. Your pet's crate dimensions and weight must meet these standards before any cargo booking can be confirmed.

Allow additional time in your planning if routing through Jakarta, as the two-leg journey adds logistical complexity on the day of travel. Your CAPQ agent can advise on airline options once your travel date is confirmed.

What to Expect on Arrival Day at Changi

On the day your pet arrives in Singapore, your CAPQ agent handles all documentation at the Centre for Animal and Pet Quarantine (CAPQ) at Changi Airport's Animal and Plant Quarantine Hub. Your agent will have pre-submitted all required paperwork before the arrival date, including the AVS import licence, the endorsed health certificate, and the Singapore Customs GST permit.

On arrival, CAPQ officers inspect the pet and the accompanying documents. If everything is in order, your pet is transferred by the agent from the CAPQ inspection point to the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) on the same day. The transport fee for this transfer is S$75 per animal.

The 30-day quarantine clock starts from the date of AQC admission. You cannot collect your pet on arrival day regardless of what time their flight lands or when CAPQ clearance is completed. The AQC requires the full 30-day period to be served before release.

Once your pet has been admitted to the AQC, visiting arrangements can be made directly with the facility. The AQC allows visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 5pm, and on Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm. Direct contact with the AQC for visiting arrangements starts once the quarantine begins. Release on day 30 takes place between 10am and 12pm. You or your authorised representative must be present for collection during that window.

Moving from Indonesia to Singapore with your dog or cat? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote.

Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).