Ireland is classified as Schedule I for Singapore pet imports, the same category as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This is the most straightforward route into Singapore: no rabies titre test, no 90-day waiting period, and no mandatory quarantine in standard cases. For Irish expats relocating to Singapore, the realistic timeline runs at 6 to 8 weeks rather than the 5 to 6 months that Schedule II countries such as the USA or Germany require.
That said, the process still has firm rules around the DAFM export health certification, the CAPQ agent requirement that took effect in April 2026, and the certificate timing window. Getting these right keeps your pet's arrival on schedule.
All requirements on this page are based on official AVS/NParks conditions. Verify current guidelines at avs.nparks.gov.sg before proceeding.
What Schedule I Means for Irish Pet Owners
Singapore places countries in three schedules based on rabies status. Ireland joins the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in Schedule I. The practical benefits:
| Requirement | Schedule I (Ireland) | Schedule II (USA, Germany, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies titre test | Not required | Required |
| 90-day waiting period | Not required | Required |
| Rabies vaccination | Not required for AVS | Required |
| Mandatory quarantine | Not required (standard cases) | Not required (standard cases) |
| Minimum timeline | 6 to 8 weeks | 5 to 6 months |
Before You Start
Check your breed.
Singapore prohibits import of all Pit Bull types (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog), Akita, Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, and any crosses of these breeds. There are no exemptions.
Check your microchip.
Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip (134.2 kHz). Under EU pet travel rules, Irish pets are already required to carry this format, but confirm the exact number is legible and matches across every document you submit.
Brachycephalic breeds:
French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, and Persian cats are permitted into Singapore but face airline-level restrictions. Aer Lingus and most connecting carriers on the Dublin-Singapore route require a vet fitness certificate for flat-faced breeds, and some routes carry embargoes for snub-nosed animals during warmer months. Check with your airline's cargo or live animal desk before booking flights.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Confirm the Microchip
When: As early as possible.
Have your vet scan and record the 15-digit microchip number. This number must match across your pet's EU pet passport (if it has one), the export health certificate, the AVS import licence, and any airline documentation. A mismatch at any stage delays clearance.
Step 2: Appoint an AVS-Recognised CAPQ Agent
When: 6 to 8 weeks before travel.
From 1 April 2026, import clearance at CAPQ (the Centre for Animal and Pharmaceutical Quality at Changi Airport) must be handled by an AVS-recognised pet agent. Pet owners cannot enter the Changi Airfreight Centre themselves.
Your agent will:
- Apply for the AVS import licence through the PALS portal
- Review your documents before travel
- Meet your pet at Changi on arrival day
- Handle microchip verification, document inspection, and crate transfer at CAPQ
- Arrange transport from Changi to your home
The official AVS-recognised agent list is at avs.nparks.gov.sg.
Step 3: AVS Import Licence
When: Your agent applies on your behalf. The licence is valid for 90 days from issue.
Your agent submits the application via the PALS portal (pals.avs.gov.sg).
- Normal processing: S$50, 2 working days
- Express processing: S$100, 1 working day
Timing matters: the licence must still be valid on your pet's arrival date in Singapore. Apply with enough lead time to allow for any corrections.
Step 4: DAFM Export Health Certificate
When: No more than 7 days before your pet's departure from Ireland.
This is the step that catches many Irish pet owners off guard. Singapore requires an official veterinary health certificate, and for exports from Ireland this must be issued by your vet and endorsed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the government body responsible for export health certification.
The process:
- Your Irish vet examines your pet and completes the health certificate in the format Singapore requires
- The certificate is submitted to your local DAFM Regional Veterinary Office for signature and endorsement
- DAFM processes and stamps the certificate, which can take several business days depending on the office
Seven days is a tight window once DAFM endorsement is factored in. Confirm the exact certificate format and DAFM appointment availability with your vet and your CAPQ agent well before your intended travel date.
Do not book this vet appointment until your flight is confirmed. If your travel date changes and the 7-day window lapses, you need a new certificate and a new DAFM appointment.
Step 5: Singapore Customs GST Permit
Your agent obtains this via the TradeNet system before arrival. Confirm this is included in your agent's service scope.
Step 6: CAPQ Clearance at Changi
On arrival day: Your agent handles everything at Changi.
CAPQ operating hours from 1 April 2026:
- Monday and Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm (closed 1:00pm to 2:00pm)
- Wednesday to Friday: 9:00am to 8:00pm (closed 1:00pm to 2:00pm)
- Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: closed
Most Dublin-Singapore routes connect through the Middle East or continental Europe and arrive in Singapore in the morning or early afternoon, which usually aligns with CAPQ's operating hours. Confirm the exact arrival timing with your agent before booking.
Will Your Pet Need to Quarantine?
Schedule I pets from Ireland are not subject to mandatory quarantine in standard cases.
Home quarantine can still apply in two situations:
- Your pet arrives in Singapore more than 5 days after you entered
- Your pet has been in your care for less than 6 months
If home quarantine is triggered, you must apply for approval at least 4 weeks before arrival. The cost is S$29 per animal per day (S$290 for the full 10-day period), monitored by a smart collar tag, paid upfront.
For most Irish expats moving to Singapore with an established pet, neither trigger applies.
Ireland to Singapore: Timeline Overview
| Step | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip confirmed | As early as possible | Must be ISO 15-digit |
| Agent appointed | 6 to 8 weeks before travel | Must be AVS-recognised |
| Import licence applied | Well before travel | Valid 90 days from issue |
| GST permit obtained | Before arrival | Agent handles |
| DAFM export health certificate | Within 7 days of departure | Allow time for DAFM appointment |
| CAPQ clearance | Arrival day | Agent only |
Minimum realistic timeline: 6 to 8 weeks from starting the process to arrival in Singapore.
Cost Summary
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| AVS import licence | S$50 |
| Veterinary health certificate and DAFM endorsement | EUR100 to EUR300 |
| CAPQ agent fee | From S$1,499 |
| Airline pet transport | S$100 to S$500 |
| Home quarantine monitoring (if triggered) | S$290 for 10 days |
For a full breakdown, see our Singapore pet import cost guide.
Compare With Other Countries
Ireland shares Schedule I status with three other countries. If you're weighing a move from elsewhere, or want the full country-by-country breakdown, see:
- No-quarantine pet import guide: the full Schedule I and Schedule II comparison
- Bringing pets from the UK: Schedule I, APHA endorsement instead of DAFM
- Bringing pets from Australia: Schedule I, no DAFM-equivalent endorsement step
- Bringing pets from New Zealand: Schedule I, no DAFM-equivalent endorsement step
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to vaccinate my dog against rabies before bringing them to Singapore from Ireland? AVS does not require a rabies vaccination for Schedule I imports from Ireland. Your vet may recommend one under EU pet travel rules, but it is not a condition of Singapore's import requirements.
My pet has an EU pet passport with all the vaccinations and microchip details. Is that enough? Your pet's EU pet passport contains useful records, but it is not a substitute for the official DAFM-endorsed export health certificate that Singapore requires. Your CAPQ agent can confirm the exact certificate format needed.
Can any vet in Ireland issue the export health certificate? The certificate must be issued by your vet and then endorsed by a DAFM Regional Veterinary Office. Your CAPQ agent can advise on appointment lead times for your region.
Will my pet be released to me at the airport? From April 2026, no. Your agent handles CAPQ clearance and then delivers your pet to your home address or a pre-arranged location. You will not be able to meet your pet at the airfreight terminal.
Is Northern Ireland treated the same as the Republic of Ireland? Northern Ireland falls under the UK's Schedule I classification and follows APHA endorsement rather than DAFM. See our UK pet import guide if you're moving from Northern Ireland.
Relocating from Ireland to Singapore with your dog or cat? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote from an AVS-recognised CAPQ agent.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Confirm current requirements before proceeding.