The CAPQ (Centre for Animal & Pharmaceutical Quality) inspection at Tuas Checkpoint is the final regulatory step before your cat is admitted into Singapore for quarantine. It is the point where every document you have prepared over the past four months is checked against the animal in front of the AVS veterinary officer — and where any gap in your preparation becomes a real problem.
This guide explains exactly what happens at the CAPQ inspection, what the AVS officer checks, how long it takes, and what scenarios can cause delays or refusal.
What CAPQ Is
The Centre for Animal & Pharmaceutical Quality is a Singapore government facility operated by AVS (Animal & Veterinary Service) under NParks. CAPQ facilities are located at Changi Airport (for air imports) and at Tuas Checkpoint (for road imports from Malaysia). They are the physical inspection and clearance points for all live animals entering Singapore.
For cats being imported from Malaysia by road, Tuas CAPQ is the only authorised entry point. Woodlands Checkpoint does not have a CAPQ animal inspection facility. Arriving at Woodlands with your cat means you cannot proceed — you must turn around and cross via the Tuas Second Link.
Before You Arrive: The Pre-Booked Appointment
CAPQ inspections at Tuas are appointment-based. You (or your AVS-recognised agent) must book a time slot at least 5 business days before your arrival through the iFAST system. From April 1, 2026, this booking must be made by an AVS-recognised agent — individuals cannot self-book for personal pet imports.
CAPQ is not available on:
- Sundays
- Singapore public holidays
Arriving at Tuas without a pre-booked appointment results in an emergency inspection surcharge of S$80 per hour. Arriving on a Sunday or public holiday means the inspection cannot happen at all — you will need to rebook for a weekday.
Your appointment confirmation will include:
- Date and time slot
- Reference number (bring this)
- CAPQ facility location at Tuas
What to Bring to the CAPQ Inspection
Every document must be in original or certified form. Photocopies are not accepted for verification:
- AVS Import Licence — the original or certified copy
- DVS Veterinary Health Certificate — issued by a Malaysian DVS-accredited vet within 7 days of travel
- Rabies titre test certificate — showing ≥0.5 IU/mL, with blood draw date clearly stated
- Rabies vaccination certificate — microchip number must be present on this document
- AQC quarantine booking confirmation — reference number and confirmation letter
- CAPQ inspection appointment confirmation — your time slot reference
- Singapore Customs GST In-Payment Permit — if required (your agent confirms)
- Your identity card or passport
Your agent should hold and present the formal documents. You are present as the owner.
Step-by-Step: The Inspection Process
1. Arrive at Tuas Checkpoint
Drive to the Tuas Second Link. At the Singapore arrival area, follow signage for the CAPQ facility or live animal imports. Your agent or their representative will meet you at or near the CAPQ facility.
2. Check In at the CAPQ Counter
Present your appointment reference and owner identification. CAPQ staff will log your arrival and assign you to a veterinary officer.
3. Document Verification
The AVS veterinary officer reviews every document in your set:
| Document | What AVS checks |
|---|---|
| Import Licence | Validity, cat identity details, approved entry date |
| DVS Health Certificate | Issue date (must be ≤7 days old), vet accreditation, microchip match, health clearance |
| Titre test certificate | Result ≥0.5 IU/mL, blood draw date, 90-day period elapsed, lab accreditation |
| Vaccination certificate | Current rabies vaccination, microchip number present |
| AQC booking | Confirmed slot for the arrival date |
The officer will cross-reference the microchip number across every document. All numbers must match exactly.
4. Physical Inspection of Your Cat
The veterinary officer examines your cat directly:
- Microchip scan — the cat's chip is scanned and confirmed against all documents. If the chip is not readable or the number differs by a single digit from documents, this triggers an immediate investigation.
- Health assessment — a brief clinical examination confirms the cat appears healthy, shows no signs of respiratory infection, ocular discharge, neurological signs, or other conditions that would flag for further veterinary assessment
- Carrier check — the carrier is checked to confirm it is appropriate and the cat is in acceptable condition after travel
The physical inspection takes approximately 10–20 minutes under normal circumstances.
5. Clearance Decision
If all documents are verified and the physical inspection is clear, the AVS officer issues clearance. Your cat is then:
- Transferred to AQC transport (S$75 per cat, arranged by your agent)
- Transported from the CAPQ facility to the Animal Quarantine Centre at 1 Perahu Road
- Checked into the AQC for the mandatory 30-day quarantine
The 30-day quarantine clock begins from the date of AQC arrival — the same day as the Tuas inspection in most cases.
How Long Does the Inspection Take?
Under normal circumstances with complete and correct documentation: 30–60 minutes from check-in to clearance.
Factors that extend this:
- Document discrepancies requiring verification
- Microchip that is difficult to read (chip migration or low signal)
- Questions about titre test laboratory accreditation status
- Phone verification calls to the issuing vet for health certificate questions
- High inspection volume on the same day
Plan for at least 2 hours at the checkpoint on travel day, including arrival, parking, and AQC handover.
Scenarios That Cause Delays or Refusal
Health certificate older than 7 days. The most common cause of delays. The AVS officer will note the certificate date and it will be flagged as invalid. In the best case, a call to the issuing vet may resolve it; in most cases, you will need to return to Malaysia and obtain a new certificate.
Microchip not readable. If the scanner cannot detect the chip or the number does not match documents, entry is paused. If the chip is confirmed dead or migrated, re-implantation in Malaysia and re-documentation may be required before re-entry.
Microchip number mismatch. A single digit difference between the titre test certificate and the physical scan result is enough to trigger a verification hold. This is why document review before travel is essential.
Titre test below threshold. If the certificate shows a result below 0.5 IU/mL (e.g. because an outdated test result was accidentally submitted), entry is refused pending a new valid test. A test taken after arrival cannot be substituted.
90-day period not elapsed. If the blood draw date on the titre test certificate is less than 90 days before arrival, AVS will not clear the import for that date.
No CAPQ appointment. You can try to walk in, but AVS is under no obligation to process an uninvited arrival within your desired timeline. The S$80/hour emergency inspection fee applies.
No AVS-recognised agent (post April 2026). From April 1, 2026, the formal CAPQ submission must be made by a licensed agent. An owner presenting without one cannot complete the submission.
What Happens to Your Cat During a Delay
If documentation issues are identified but cannot be resolved at the checkpoint on the same day:
- Your cat may be placed in a temporary holding facility at CAPQ while investigation proceeds
- This extends the AQC quarantine start and typically means additional costs
- Resolution may require obtaining corrected documents, which takes time
This is an avoidable scenario. The purpose of having your agent review all documents before travel is precisely to catch these issues before you are standing at the checkpoint.
After CAPQ Clearance: AQC Transport
Once cleared, you hand your cat to the AQC transport service (S$75 per cat). You do not follow your cat to the AQC in the same vehicle — you can arrange a separate visit to the AQC later.
The transport is handled by a licensed carrier coordinated through AVS. Your cat arrives at the AQC within the same day in most cases.
How Pawsport Express Manages the CAPQ Inspection
As an AVS-recognised agent, we handle the iFAST appointment booking, present all documentation at the Tuas CAPQ facility, and coordinate AQC transport. We review your document set before the inspection date — specifically checking the DVS certificate date, titre test blood draw timing, and microchip number consistency — so nothing is flagged on arrival day.
Contact us for a Malaysia–Singapore cat import quote.
Information is based on AVS guidelines and CAPQ procedures as of May 2026. Verify current checkpoint procedures at avs.nparks.gov.sg before travel.