Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Singapore from South Korea: Schedule III Quarantine Guide

South Korea is classified as Schedule III by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Despite being a country with modern veterinary facilities and high pet ownership rates, the 30-day quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) applies to all dogs and cats imported from South Korea. There are no exemptions.

All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. For the full import process including Schedule comparisons, see the Singapore pet import requirements guide. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.

What Schedule III Means

All Schedule III imports to Singapore require:

• Rabies titre test (≥0.5 IU/mL) at a WOAH-approved laboratory
• 90-day wait from blood draw date
• Mandatory 30-day quarantine at the AQC on arrival
• Pre-booked AQC space via AVS Quarantine Management System (QMS) before travel
• CAPQ clearance via AVS-recognised agent (mandatory from April 2026)

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

Why South Korea Is Still Schedule III

South Korea's classification as Schedule III is sometimes a point of confusion for Korean pet owners and their veterinarians. South Korea has a well-developed veterinary sector, high rates of microchipping and vaccination compliance, and has been reported as largely rabies-free in recent years. Against that background, the 30-day quarantine requirement surprises many people planning a move from Seoul, Busan, or other Korean cities to Singapore.

AVS sets Singapore's schedule classifications through its own regulatory framework, which may account for historical disease risk profiles, regional biosecurity considerations, and factors that go beyond a country's current disease status alone. The classification is not a judgment on South Korean veterinary standards or the health status of individual animals. A perfectly vaccinated, titre-tested dog from Seoul with an excellent health record still completes 30 days at the AQC because South Korea is a Schedule III country. That classification is set at a national level and applies regardless of the individual animal's documentation.

Korean veterinary professionals who handle export paperwork for the first time sometimes find the Singapore requirements more extensive than those for other destination countries. The APQA endorsement process, the specific titre test requirements, and the mandatory CAPQ agent requirement from April 2026 all add steps that are not typical for every export destination.

For Korean expats moving to Singapore on corporate assignments, the same planning challenge applies as for any Schedule III country. A 6 to 8 month preparation timeline is required, and this cannot be compressed. If the relocation notice period is less than 6 months, the pet will likely follow the owner to Singapore at a later date rather than travelling at the same time. Starting the titre test sequence as early as possible after a move becomes likely is the most practical approach.

Step-by-Step Process

The APQA Endorsement Process

The health certificate for a dog or cat being exported from South Korea must be endorsed by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), which is the Korean government's competent authority for the import and export of animals and plants. The APQA endorsement is what transforms a private veterinary certificate into an official government-issued export document acceptable to AVS in Singapore.

APQA operates offices throughout South Korea, including offices in Seoul, at Incheon International Airport, in Busan, and at other regional locations. The endorsement process works as follows: a licensed Korean veterinarian examines the pet and issues the health certificate. The completed certificate is then submitted to the relevant APQA office for official review, stamp, and signature. In some cases, APQA staff may attend the clinic to verify the examination. In other cases, the document is submitted and endorsed at the APQA office directly.

The timing constraint is significant. The health certificate is valid for 7 days from the date of the veterinary examination. The APQA endorsement must be obtained within that 7-day window. Most APQA offices process endorsements within 2 to 5 working days, but this varies by office and by how busy the office is at the time of submission.

To avoid the health certificate expiring before the APQA endorsement is completed, coordinate both steps in advance. Contact your nearest APQA office before scheduling the veterinary examination to confirm their current processing time. If you schedule the examination without confirming APQA availability, you risk the 7-day window closing before the endorsement is obtained, requiring the examination to be repeated.

The health certificate format must match what AVS requires for Singapore import. Verify the required format with your CAPQ agent or with AVS before the examination is conducted. Using an incorrect format means the certificate will not be accepted and will need to be reissued.

APQA offices are generally well-organised and familiar with export certification processes, which makes the endorsement step more predictable than in some other countries. Allow adequate lead time, confirm processing times in advance, and coordinate the two appointments carefully.

Health Certificate and APQA Endorsement

The health certificate must be completed by a licensed vet in South Korea and endorsed by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), the Korean government's competent authority for animal imports and exports.

APQA has offices throughout South Korea. The endorsement process involves submitting the completed veterinary certificate to APQA for official stamp and signature. Allow time for this within the 7-day health certificate validity window.

Titre Test Laboratory in South Korea

WOAH-approved laboratories in South Korea include facilities accredited through the Animal Disease Diagnostic Division of APQA. See our AVS-approved titre test lab list for the current approved labs before submitting the blood sample.

Microchip Note

South Korea uses ISO 11784/11785 chips. Most Korean-registered pets are already ISO-compliant. Verify the 15-digit chip number with your vet and confirm readability before the vaccination sequence begins.

Costs to Budget For

Relocating a dog or cat from South Korea to Singapore involves fees at multiple stages. The following is a general estimate; actual figures vary depending on the pet's size, the service provider, and current rates.

AQC quarantine fees: The 30-day stay costs S$26 per day for fan-fitted accommodation or S$35 per day for air-conditioned accommodation. Over 30 days that amounts to S$780 to S$1,050 for the AQC stay alone.

CAPQ agent fee: An AVS-recognised CAPQ agent is mandatory from April 2026 for Schedule III imports. Agent fees typically range from S$1,200 to S$1,800 depending on the scope of services. This generally covers Singapore Customs documentation, the GST permit, CAPQ clearance at the checkpoint, and AQC coordination.

AVS import licence: S$50 for standard processing or S$100 for express. The CAPQ agent applies on your behalf.

CAPQ to AQC transport: S$75 per animal.

Air cargo (ICN-SIN): Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Singapore Airlines all operate flights between Incheon (ICN) and Singapore (SIN). Live animal cargo fees vary by airline, kennel dimensions, and combined weight. Contact each airline's cargo desk for current rates. The flight is approximately 6 to 7 hours.

South Korea-side costs: Veterinary examination, health certificate preparation, APQA endorsement fee, and the rabies titre test at an approved laboratory all carry separate fees.

Total estimate: Singapore-side regulatory and quarantine costs typically fall between S$2,500 and S$4,500 or more for a single pet, before cargo and pre-departure veterinary costs in South Korea. See the Singapore pet import cost guide for a more detailed breakdown.

AQC: Key Facts

Book AQC space as soon as your travel date is set. Space is limited.

CAPQ Operating Hours

Book your pet's flight to arrive on a weekday.

Common Mistakes Korean Pet Owners Make

Assuming Korean vaccination records transfer directly to Singapore format

Korean veterinary documentation is thorough, but the format of a Korean vaccination booklet or health record is not the same as the health certificate required by AVS for import into Singapore. The health certificate must be issued in the format AVS specifies, by a licensed Korean vet, and endorsed by APQA. Bringing existing Korean pet records and expecting them to substitute for the required certificate will not work. Confirm the required format with your CAPQ agent before the examination is conducted.

Leaving the APQA endorsement too late

The health certificate is valid for 7 days from the examination date. APQA processing typically takes 2 to 5 working days. If you do not confirm APQA availability before scheduling the veterinary examination, you risk the certificate expiring before the endorsement is completed. Contact the relevant APQA office first and confirm processing times before booking the vet appointment.

Not checking prohibited breeds for mixed-breed dogs

Several dog breeds are prohibited in Singapore. Mixed-breed dogs with visible characteristics of a restricted breed may also be subject to additional review. If you have a mixed-breed dog and there is uncertainty about the breed heritage, a DNA test before committing to the relocation process is advisable. See prohibited dog breeds in Singapore for the current list.

Underestimating AQC booking lead time

The AQC Quarantine Management System (QMS) allocates space and fills up. Booking well in advance, as soon as a likely travel date is known, is the correct approach. Leaving the QMS booking until close to the travel date risks finding no available space, which means delaying the pet's arrival.

Not checking airline policies for brachycephalic breeds

Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Singapore Airlines all have restrictions on transporting brachycephalic dog and cat breeds, due to the respiratory risks associated with their anatomy. If your pet is a flat-faced breed (Pug, French Bulldog, Persian cat, and similar), confirm acceptance and any conditions directly with the airline's cargo desk before purchasing the cargo booking. Policies differ between airlines and can change.

Compare With Other Countries

South Korea's Schedule III quarantine is significantly longer than Schedule I and Schedule II routes. For comparison:

• No-quarantine pet import guide: which countries skip the 30-day AQC stay entirely
• Singapore Animal Quarantine Centre guide: what to expect during the mandatory 30-day stay
• Singapore to Malaysia pet export guide: another Schedule III route, in the opposite direction

Frequently Asked Questions

South Korea has been rabies-free in recent years. Why is it still Schedule III? Singapore's schedule classifications are determined by AVS and may reflect historical disease risk profiles, biosecurity protocols, and bilateral agreements in addition to current status. South Korea remains Schedule III. The 30-day quarantine is mandatory.

Can I take my Korean rescue dog to Singapore? Yes, provided the dog is not a prohibited breed. Mixed-breed dogs should have a DNA test if there is any question about breed heritage before committing to the move. See prohibited dog breeds in Singapore for the restricted list.

Korean Air and Asiana both fly Seoul to Singapore. Which is better for pet cargo? Both airlines operate the ICN-SIN route and both accept live animals as cargo. The practical differences come down to current rates, kennel dimension limits, and breed-specific restrictions at the time of booking. Contact each airline's cargo desk directly with your pet's kennel dimensions and breed to compare. Singapore Airlines also flies the route. Book the cargo slot well in advance of the flight date, as live animal cargo space is limited.

My dog is a Korean Jindo. Is the Jindo allowed in Singapore? The Korean Jindo is not on Singapore's prohibited breed list. Jindos can be imported subject to the standard Schedule III requirements. Verify the current list on the AVS website before proceeding, as the prohibited breed list is subject to review.

Can I visit my pet at the AQC during the 30-day quarantine? Yes. The AQC allows owner visits during designated hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm, and Saturday from 2pm to 5pm. Visits must be arranged in advance and are subject to AQC rules. Your CAPQ agent can advise on the visiting procedure.

After AQC Release: What Comes Next

When your pet is released from the AQC on day 30, collected between 10am and 12pm, they enter Singapore as a legal resident. Your next steps: dogs must be licensed via the AVS PALS system at avs.nparks.gov.sg/pets/licensing-a-pet/ within 30 days of AQC release. Cats must also be licensed. If you are renting or own a property in Singapore, confirm your housing type's pet rules before your pet arrives. HDB flats have breed and size restrictions for dogs. Condominiums have their own MCST-set rules. For Korean expats settling in Singapore, it is worth noting that Singapore has a wide network of qualified vets and pet care professionals. Your Korean-registered vaccination and medical records can serve as background history for a new Singapore vet, even though they are not accepted as official AVS documentation. Keep all original import paperwork: AVS import licence, endorsed health certificate, titre test result, and AQC release confirmation. You may need these if your pet's registration is queried or if you subsequently relocate your pet to another country from Singapore.

Moving from South Korea 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).