South Africa is classified as Schedule III by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Dogs and cats imported from South Africa — including those coming from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, 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.
Schedule III Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit chip) |
| Rabies vaccination | After microchip; required |
| Rabies titre test | ≥0.5 IU/mL at WOAH-approved lab |
| 90-day wait | From blood draw date |
| AQC quarantine | 30 days mandatory |
| AQC pre-booking | Via AVS QMS before travel |
| CAPQ agent | Mandatory from April 2026 |
Minimum timeline from start to AQC release: 6–8 months.
Step-by-Step Process
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) | First |
| 2 | Rabies vaccination | After microchip |
| 3 | Blood draw for titre test | 28+ days post-vaccination |
| 4 | Submit to OVR or WOAH-approved SA lab | Immediately |
| 5 | 90-day wait | Starts on draw date |
| 6 | Book AQC via QMS | As early as possible |
| 7 | Engage CAPQ agent | 8–10 weeks before arrival |
| 8 | AVS import licence | Agent applies; S$50 normal, S$100 express |
| 9 | Health certificate | Within 7 days of departure |
| 10 | DALRRD endorsement | Within health certificate window |
| 11 | Singapore Customs GST permit | Agent handles prior to arrival |
| 12 | CAPQ clearance | Agent handles on arrival day |
| 13 | 30-day AQC quarantine | After CAPQ clearance |
Health Certificate and DALRRD Endorsement
The health certificate must be completed by a South African-registered vet and endorsed by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) — the competent authority for animal export certification from South Africa.
The DALRRD endorsement involves a state vet reviewing and signing the certificate. Allow time for state vet appointment scheduling within the 7-day health certificate validity window.
Titre Test Laboratory in South Africa
Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (OVR) at the University of Pretoria is a WOAH-accredited facility and can conduct rabies serology testing. Verify the current status on the AVS approved lab list at avs.nparks.gov.sg.
AQC Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 30 days |
| Dog kennel | 4.3m x 1.8m x 2.14m |
| Cat room | 1.7m x 1.2m x 2m |
| Fan-fitted rate | S$26/day |
| Air-conditioned rate | S$35/day |
| CAPQ to AQC transport | S$75 per animal |
| Visiting hours | Tuesday and Thursday 3pm–5pm; Saturday 2pm–5pm |
| Release | 10am–12pm on day 30 |
Airlines from South Africa to Singapore
Singapore Airlines operates Johannesburg-Singapore routes (via SIA Cargo for live animals). Confirm live animal booking availability with the cargo desk well before your travel date. South Africa to Singapore is a long-haul route; confirm all conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog is a Boerboel (South African Mastiff). Can I bring them to Singapore? No. The Boerboel is on Singapore's prohibited breed list and cannot be imported, sold, or kept as a pet in Singapore. This is a firm prohibition with no exemptions. See prohibited dog breeds in Singapore for the complete list.
The journey from South Africa to Singapore is very long. Is that safe for my pet? Long-haul travel in temperature-controlled cargo is generally well-tolerated by healthy dogs and cats. Your CAPQ agent and vet can advise on preparation. For brachycephalic breeds, consult your vet and confirm airline acceptance before booking.
Moving from South Africa to Singapore with your dog or cat? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).