Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Singapore from the Philippines: Schedule III Guide

The Philippines is classified as Schedule III by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Every dog or cat arriving from the Philippines must complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) on arrival in Singapore. No exceptions apply.

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

The 6 to 8 Month Commitment Explained

The 6 to 8 month minimum timeline is one of the first things that surprises Filipino pet owners planning a move to Singapore. It feels long, but every month in that window is accounted for by a fixed regulatory sequence that cannot be compressed.

The sequence works like this. The microchip must be implanted first, before anything else. Rabies vaccination follows after microchipping. The blood draw for the rabies titre test cannot happen until at least 28 days after the vaccination date. This is not a guideline that can be waived with a vet's letter. The 28-day post-vaccination window is a hard requirement for the titre test to be considered valid by the AVS.

Once the blood draw is done and submitted to a WOAH-approved laboratory, the 90-day wait begins. That 90 days is counted from the blood draw date, not the test result date. Owners who receive a passing titre result and assume they can now travel are often caught off guard when their CAPQ agent explains that the clock started on draw date, not result date. Those are sometimes weeks apart.

Adding the fixed components: 28 days post-vaccination before blood draw, then 90 days from blood draw, then the 30-day AQC quarantine on arrival. That alone is roughly five months, before accounting for the time to complete microchipping, vaccination scheduling, getting a vet appointment, and the BAI endorsement process at departure. In practice, most owners are looking at six to eight months from the day they start the process to the day their pet is released from the AQC.

Filipino workers relocating to Singapore on employment passes frequently attempt to compress this timeline. The most common mistake is starting the process after the work pass is confirmed, which is often only two to three months before the intended move date. The 90-day wait alone makes that impossible. Pets either have to be left behind temporarily or the owner has to make separate travel arrangements for the animal months later.

If you are in the early stages of planning a move from the Philippines to Singapore, the practical advice is to start the microchip and vaccination process the same week you know the move is likely, not after it is confirmed. See the full Singapore pet import requirements guide for the broader regulatory framework.

What Schedule III Requires

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

Step-by-Step Process

Getting the BAI Endorsement: What Most Guides Miss

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is the competent authority in the Philippines for official veterinary endorsements on animal exports. It operates under the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines. When Singapore's AVS requires a health certificate endorsed by the exporting country's competent authority, the BAI is that authority for animals leaving the Philippines.

What the BAI endorsement actually is: it is an official government stamp and signature applied to the veterinary health certificate that your licensed Filipino vet has already completed. The BAI is not issuing a separate document. It is verifying and officially endorsing the health certificate your vet produced. Without the BAI endorsement, the health certificate is not acceptable to AVS or to the CAPQ agent who handles your import clearance in Singapore.

The process in practice involves your vet issuing the health certificate first, then either you or your vet submitting that certificate to a BAI regional office or the national BAI office in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. BAI staff will review the document and may inspect the animal depending on the regional office procedures. Once satisfied, they apply the endorsement. The BAI charges a processing fee for this service.

Allow a minimum of five to seven working days for BAI processing. Some regional offices are faster and some are slower depending on current volume. Do not assume a two-day turnaround.

Here is where the critical timing constraint comes in. The health certificate has a validity window of seven days from the date of issue to the departure date. This means your vet must examine your pet and issue the certificate no more than seven days before the flight. The BAI endorsement must also be completed within that same window. If the BAI takes five working days and your vet issues the certificate on Monday, you have very limited buffer before a Friday or Saturday flight.

The practical implication: do not book a vet appointment for the health certificate without first confirming BAI appointment availability at your intended office. In busy periods, particularly around Philippine holidays, BAI processing can slow down. Build at least two extra days of buffer beyond your expected BAI turnaround.

Your CAPQ agent in Singapore will need a copy of the BAI-endorsed health certificate before or on arrival. Many agents request a scanned copy in advance to verify compliance. Sending incomplete or unendorsed documents the night before departure creates problems that cannot be resolved easily from Singapore's end.

Health Certificate and BAI Endorsement

The health certificate must be completed by a licensed Filipino vet and endorsed by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) under the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines. The BAI handles official veterinary endorsements for animal exports from the Philippines.

Allow time for BAI processing within the 7-day health certificate validity window.

Titre Test Laboratory

Verify the current WOAH-approved laboratory list at avs.nparks.gov.sg. The BAI has laboratory facilities that may be accredited, but confirm with your vet or CAPQ agent before submitting the blood sample.

For a list of AVS-approved titre test laboratories, including options for post-arrival testing where applicable, see the AVS approved titre test labs guide.

Costs to Budget For

The total cost of bringing a pet from the Philippines to Singapore is often higher than owners expect. The estimates below cover the main categories. Costs in Philippine peso are approximate and should be confirmed with your vet and the BAI directly.

A few notes on these figures. The CAPQ agent fee range reflects the variation between agents and service levels. From April 2026, engaging a CAPQ agent is mandatory for all Schedule III imports. The AQC daily rate depends on whether you choose a fan-fitted kennel or an air-conditioned option. Air conditioning costs more but is worth considering for breeds that do not cope well with heat.

Airline cargo costs vary significantly depending on the carrier, the pet's weight with crate, and whether you book well in advance. Get a quote directly from the airline cargo desk rather than assuming a figure. Budget carriers on the Manila to Singapore route may not accept live animal cargo at all.

For a broader breakdown of Singapore pet import costs, including costs for other origin countries and service tiers, see the Singapore pet import cost guide.

AQC Key Facts

What Filipino Pet Owners Commonly Overlook

Several recurring mistakes come up among pet owners importing from the Philippines. Being aware of them in advance saves significant stress.

Assuming Philippine Airlines automatically accepts live animal cargo. PAL does operate cargo services, but live animal acceptance on any given flight depends on aircraft type, route configuration, temperature conditions, and current policy. Do not assume that because a route exists, your pet can travel on it. Contact the PAL cargo desk specifically for your intended flight and date. Get written confirmation. The same applies to Singapore Airlines and any other carrier you are considering. Check each time, because policies change.

Leaving the BAI endorsement until the last minute. As explained in the section above, the health certificate and BAI endorsement must both be completed within the 7-day window before departure. Owners who book their vet appointment for day one and assume BAI will be done by day three sometimes find themselves rescheduling flights. Five to seven working days is a minimum estimate, not a guaranteed turnaround.

Not booking AQC via QMS early enough. The AVS Quarantine Management System (QMS) is the portal for reserving a space at the Animal Quarantine Centre. AQC spaces are limited, and during busy periods, available slots fill well in advance. Your CAPQ agent can assist with the booking, but do not leave this until two weeks before travel. Book as soon as your travel date is confirmed, ideally as soon as the 90-day wait is underway.

Treating the titre test 90-day wait as a guideline. It is not. It is a fixed regulatory requirement. A titre test result showing 0.5 IU/mL or above is necessary but not sufficient. The blood must have been drawn at least 90 days before the travel date. No veterinary letter or agency request can waive this.

Not verifying breed status before committing to the process. Singapore prohibits certain dog breeds and breed types from import. Mixed-breed dogs, including Aspins (Asong Pinoy), need to be assessed carefully if there is any visual resemblance to prohibited breeds. This is worth confirming with a CAPQ agent before you invest six months of preparation, not after. See the how to import a dog or cat to Singapore guide for the prohibited breed list.

CAPQ Hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines operate the Manila-Singapore route with pet cargo? Philippine Airlines and Singapore Airlines both operate MNL-SIN routes. Contact the cargo desks of each carrier to confirm live animal acceptance on your specific flight. Budget carriers on this route may not accept pets.

My pet has always been vaccinated against rabies. Does that reduce the quarantine? No. The 30-day quarantine is mandatory for all Schedule III imports regardless of vaccination history. The titre test and quarantine are separate requirements.

Can I take my Aspin (local mixed breed) to Singapore? Aspins can be imported to Singapore provided they do not visually resemble any of the dog breeds or breed types prohibited under Singapore's Animals and Birds Act. The prohibited list includes dogs with physical characteristics associated with fighting breeds. Because an Aspin's mix is often unknown, AVS assesses based on physical appearance. If your dog has any features that could be interpreted as matching a prohibited breed, seek a formal assessment from your CAPQ agent before starting the preparation process. Starting a six-month import timeline only to be refused at the AVS assessment stage is a situation worth avoiding entirely.

What if my pet fails the titre test? Do I have to start over? Not entirely. A failing titre result means the antibody level is below 0.5 IU/mL. Your vet will typically recommend a booster vaccination and a repeat blood draw after another 28-day wait. The 90-day wait then restarts from the new blood draw date. You do not need to re-microchip, and the earlier vaccination history is not discarded. However, the timeline resets in practical terms, adding at least three to four months. This is why confirming your vet is drawing blood at the right interval after a correctly-timed vaccination matters. If the first titre test is done too early after vaccination, there is a higher risk of a low result.

Can I visit my pet during the 30-day quarantine at the AQC? Yes. The AQC allows owner visits on Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm, and on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm. Visits outside these hours are not permitted. The AQC is located at 47 Old Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore. Bring your identification and the AQC booking reference when you visit. You may bring food and treats subject to AQC guidelines, but check with the facility in advance about what is permitted. Visits are for welfare and reassurance and do not affect the mandatory duration of the 30-day quarantine period.

My PAL flight was cancelled and I had to rebook. Does this affect my health certificate? Yes. The health certificate is valid for 7 days from the date of examination. If your flight is cancelled and you cannot depart within 7 days, you will need a new health certificate and a new BAI endorsement. Plan for this contingency when booking. Some owners book refundable fares or schedule the health cert exam as close to the departure date as possible.

Can my CAPQ agent in Singapore communicate with the BAI in the Philippines on my behalf? Your CAPQ agent handles the Singapore side of the process, including the import licence, GST permit, and CAPQ clearance. The Philippines-side steps, including the health certificate and BAI endorsement, must be handled by you and your Philippine vet. Your agent can advise you on what the BAI cert must contain to satisfy AVS requirements.

Flights from Manila to Singapore with Live Animal Cargo

The main international airport in the Philippines is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. Philippine Airlines (PR) and Singapore Airlines (SQ) both operate the MNL-SIN route with scheduled services. For live animal cargo, contact the cargo desk of each airline well before your travel date.

Philippine Airlines operates PAL Cargo for freight services. Singapore Airlines uses SIA Cargo. Both require advance booking for live animals, declaration of the pet's crate dimensions and weight, and confirmation that the breed is not restricted under the airline's policy. Budget carriers operating MNL-SIN, including Cebu Pacific and AirAsia, do not accept live animal cargo.

If you are relocating from Cebu, Davao, or another regional hub in the Philippines, you will likely need to book a domestic Philippine Airlines flight to Manila first, followed by the international leg. Confirm that all cargo connections allow same-day transfer of live animals. Some airlines require separate cargo booking for each leg and do not guarantee same-day connections for live cargo. Check this with each airline's cargo desk before finalising your travel plan.

Get written confirmation of your cargo booking from the airline. Airline cargo policies can change, and verbal confirmations are not sufficient for a booking of this nature. Your CAPQ agent can advise on documentation the airline may require from them before confirming the booking.

What Happens at the AQC During the 30-Day Quarantine

Once your pet arrives at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) after CAPQ clearance, they enter a mandatory 30-day quarantine period. The AQC is a purpose-built facility operated by AVS. Dogs are housed in individual kennels measuring 4.3m x 1.8m x 2.14m, which include both an indoor sleeping area and an outdoor run. Cats are housed in individual rooms measuring 1.7m x 1.2m x 2m.

You can visit your pet on Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm, and on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm. Visits outside scheduled hours are not permitted. Bring your identification and the AQC booking reference when you visit.

The 30-day period runs from the date of AQC admission. On day 30, your pet is released between 10am and 12pm. You or your authorised representative must collect your pet during this window. If you cannot be present, arrange for an authorised person to collect on your behalf and notify the AQC in advance.

During the quarantine period, the AQC provides standard feeding as part of the daily rate. If your pet has specific dietary needs, confirm with the AQC whether you can supply a preferred food. Some accommodations are possible but must be arranged directly with the facility.

After Quarantine: What Comes Next

After your pet is released from the AQC, they are legally in Singapore and you can proceed with settling them into your home. If your pet is a dog, they must be licensed via the PALS (Pet Animal Licensing System) within 30 days of arrival. Cat licensing has been mandatory in Singapore since 2024, with a deadline for compliance set by AVS. Newly imported cats must be licensed promptly after arrival.

If you are living in an HDB flat, your dog must be on the approved breed list for HDB housing. See the HDB approved dog breeds guide for the full list. Not all breeds permitted for import are approved for HDB residency, so confirm your dog's eligibility for your housing type before completing the import process.

Microchipping is already completed as part of the import requirements, so your pet enters Singapore fully microchipped and registered. Keep all original import documentation, including the AVS import licence, the BAI-endorsed health certificate, and the AQC release confirmation, in a safe place. These documents may be requested if your pet's registration is ever queried or if you need to travel with your pet again in the future.

Moving from the Philippines to Singapore with your dog or cat? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote from an AVS-recognised agent.

Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).