Switzerland is classified as Schedule II by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service. Moving from Switzerland to Singapore with your dog or cat requires a mandatory rabies titre test, a 90-day waiting period from the blood draw date, and CAPQ clearance via an AVS-recognised agent from April 2026.
Although Switzerland is not an EU member state, its pet travel documentation follows a similar EU-style framework, which leads many Swiss pet owners to assume their existing pet passport is sufficient for Singapore. It is not: a separate, Singapore-specific health certificate is required regardless of what documentation you already hold.
All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.
Schedule II Requirements for Switzerland
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit chip) |
| Rabies vaccination | Required; must follow microchip implantation |
| Rabies titre test | Mandatory; ≥0.5 IU/mL at WOAH-approved lab |
| 90-day wait | From blood draw date; hard cutoff |
| Health certificate | Within 7 days of departure; official endorsement required |
| Import licence | Via AVS/PALS; agent applies on owner's behalf |
| CAPQ agent | Mandatory from April 2026 |
| Quarantine | None in standard cases; home quarantine if triggers apply |
Minimum timeline from start: 5 to 6 months.
Your Swiss Pet Passport Is Not Valid for Singapore
Switzerland issues its own pet passport (Heimtierausweis), broadly equivalent to the EU pet passport used across the European Union. Singapore does not recognise it as a health certificate or as proof of import eligibility.
You need a separate veterinary health certificate for the Singapore import, issued by a Swiss licensed vet and endorsed by the cantonal veterinary office (Kantonaler Veterinärdienst) in your canton of residence, which acts on behalf of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV).
Allow time for the cantonal endorsement appointment within the 7-day validity window of the health certificate. Processing times differ between cantons, so confirm the current lead time with your local office before booking your vet appointment.
The Correct Step-by-Step Sequence
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip verified (ISO 11784/11785) | Before all vaccinations |
| 2 | Rabies vaccination given | After microchip confirmed readable |
| 3 | Blood draw for titre test | Minimum 28 days post-vaccination |
| 4 | Submit sample to WOAH-approved Swiss lab | Immediately after draw |
| 5 | 90-day wait from blood draw date | Starts on draw date |
| 6 | Engage AVS-recognised CAPQ agent | 8-10 weeks before arrival |
| 7 | Agent applies for AVS import licence | S$50 normal / S$100 express |
| 8 | Health certificate issued by Swiss vet | Within 7 days of departure |
| 9 | Cantonal veterinary office endorsement obtained | Within health certificate window |
| 10 | GST permit obtained by agent | Prior to arrival |
| 11 | CAPQ clearance on arrival day | Agent handles at Changi |
Titre Test Laboratories in Switzerland
Switzerland has WOAH-accredited laboratories that can conduct rabies serology testing. Verify the current approved list at avs.nparks.gov.sg before submitting the blood sample.
The result must show:
- Your pet's microchip number
- Date of blood draw
- Laboratory name and accreditation
- Titre result in IU/mL (must be at least 0.5 IU/mL)
If the titre result fails: the vaccination must be repeated and the blood draw repeated. The 90-day wait restarts from the new draw date.
Home Quarantine
Home quarantine applies on arrival in Singapore if:
- Your pet arrives more than 5 days after you enter Singapore, or
- Your pet has been in your care for less than 6 months
If triggered, your agent applies for home quarantine approval at least 4 weeks before arrival. The cost is S$29 per animal per day (S$290 for the full 10-day period), paid upfront.
CAPQ Operating Hours
From 1 April 2026, all CAPQ clearances require an AVS-recognised agent.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Wednesday to Friday | 9am to 8pm |
| Saturday, Sunday, public holidays | Closed |
| Lunch break (all days) | 1pm to 2pm |
Direct flights from Zurich to Singapore are long-haul (around 12-13 hours). Book your pet's flight to arrive on a weekday so it lines up with CAPQ's operating hours.
Cost Summary
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Rabies titre test (Swiss lab and vet fee) | CHF150 to CHF350 |
| AVS import licence | S$50 |
| Veterinary health certificate and cantonal endorsement | CHF150 to CHF400 |
| 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
Switzerland shares Schedule II status with several 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 Germany: Schedule II, same 90-day titre wait
- Bringing pets from France: Schedule II, DDPP endorsement instead of cantonal
- Bringing pets from the Netherlands: Schedule II, same 90-day titre wait
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog has a Swiss pet passport (Heimtierausweis) with all vaccinations recorded. Is that enough? No. Schedule II classification requires a separate titre test and a Singapore-specific health certificate regardless of what your Swiss pet passport already shows. The pet passport is useful as a reference for your vet, not as a substitute document.
Which cantonal office do I contact for the export health certificate endorsement? Each canton has its own veterinary office (Kantonaler Veterinärdienst). Search for your canton's veterinary office through the BLV website (blv.admin.ch) and book the endorsement appointment well ahead of your travel date, since lead times vary by canton.
Is Switzerland treated the same as EU countries like Germany or France for Singapore import? Functionally yes. Switzerland is Schedule II, the same as Germany and France, and follows the same titre test and 90-day wait rules. The only practical difference is that the export health certificate is endorsed by your cantonal veterinary office rather than an EU member state's national authority.
My cat is a Swiss mountain breed. Are there any breed restrictions? Cats are not subject to Singapore's breed restriction list, which applies only to specific dog breeds. Check the prohibited dog breeds article if you are relocating with a dog.
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.
Relocating from Switzerland 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.