Leaving Singapore with your dog or cat requires a few specific steps that are separate from and additional to what your destination country asks for. This guide covers the Singapore side of the process: the export licence, CAPQ inspection, and veterinary health certificate. What your destination country requires is a separate matter that you will need to research through that country's relevant government authority.
All requirements on this page are based on official AVS/NParks information. Verify current guidelines at avs.nparks.gov.sg/pets/importing-exporting-a-pet/export/dogs-and-cats/ before proceeding.
What You Need to Do Before Leaving Singapore
There are three Singapore-side requirements when exporting a dog or cat:
- Export licence from AVS via GoBusiness Licensing Portal
- Veterinary health certificate (required by most destination countries)
- CAPQ pre-export inspection (only if mandated by your destination country)
Additionally, once your pet has left Singapore, you should cancel your dog's PALS licence if you have one.
Step 1: Export Licence via GoBusiness
Apply for the export licence through the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. The licence type you need is: Licence to Import/Export/Transship Non-Food Animals, Birds, Eggs, and Biologics (personal).
Fees:
- Normal processing: S$50, processed within 2 working days
- Express processing: S$100, processed within 1 working day
Validity: 90 days from the date of issue.
Timing matters: The export licence is valid for 90 days and no longer. Apply too early and it expires before your departure. Apply too late and you may not have it in time.
Rule of thumb: Apply 2 to 4 weeks before your departure date. That gives you time to handle any corrections while keeping the licence well within its validity window.
Step 2: Check Your Destination Country's Requirements
Before booking any vet appointments, find out what your destination country requires for pet import. Requirements vary significantly:
| Destination type | Common requirements |
|---|---|
| Schedule I from Singapore's perspective (Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland) | Singapore is not Schedule I for these countries; Australia, for example, has its own import conditions including titre tests |
| Most Western countries | Rabies vaccination, titre test (check timing requirements), government-endorsed health certificate |
| Southeast Asian countries | Variable; check with destination country's agriculture/veterinary authority |
The destination country's requirements are separate from Singapore's export requirements. Do not assume that completing Singapore's export process means your destination country will accept your pet.
Key resource: Contact or check the website of your destination country's relevant authority (DEFRA for the UK, DAFF for Australia, APHIS for the USA, etc.) well before your departure date, ideally 3 to 6 months out for countries with titre test or waiting period requirements.
Step 3: Veterinary Health Certificate
Most destination countries require an official health certificate from Singapore before they will accept your pet. There are two formats AVS can provide:
Option A: Endorsement of the destination country's template
Some countries (including Australia and many others) have a specific health certificate template that must be used and endorsed by an official Singapore government veterinarian. The process:
- Download the destination country's health certificate template from their government authority's website
- Have a licensed Singapore private veterinarian complete the medical sections
- Submit the completed certificate to AVS for official government endorsement
Endorsement processing: approximately 2 working days.
Option B: QR-verifiable Singapore veterinary health certificate
For countries that accept a Singapore-issued certificate (rather than their own template), AVS issues a QR-verifiable certificate. Valid for 7 days from issue.
Your AVS agent or vet can advise on which format applies to your destination. Do not use the wrong format; it may result in your pet being refused at the destination country's border.
Step 4: Pre-Export Inspection at CAPQ (if required)
Not all exports require a CAPQ pre-export inspection. This step only applies if your destination country mandates it.
If a CAPQ inspection is required:
- Book your appointment at least 5 days before your departure through NParks e-services
- The inspection takes place at the Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ)
- Bring your pet, your export licence, and all destination country documentation
- Showing up without an appointment results in an inspection fee surcharge
CAPQ inspection hours are the same as for import clearance:
- Monday and Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm (closed 1:00pm to 2:00pm)
- Wednesday to Friday: 9:00am to 8:00pm (closed 1:00pm to 2:00pm)
- Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: closed
Step 5: Airline Arrangements
Contact your airline's live animal or cargo desk to confirm:
- Whether your pet can travel in-cabin, as excess baggage, or must go as manifested cargo
- Crate size requirements (IATA-compliant hard crate is typically required for hold travel)
- Breed-specific restrictions (brachycephalic breeds face restrictions on many routes)
- Health certificate timing requirements (some airlines require the certificate to be issued within a specific window before the flight)
Do not book your pet's airline travel based on the passenger booking website alone. Airlines have separate live animal desks and specific documentation requirements that are not shown during regular booking.
Step 6: Cancel Your Pet's Singapore Licence
After your pet is exported, cancel the pet licence in PALS (pals.avs.gov.sg):
- For dogs: cancel the dog licence
- For cats: update the cat licence status
Failing to cancel the licence leaves you with ongoing registration obligations for a pet that no longer lives in Singapore.
Common Destinations from Singapore: Quick Notes
Australia: Australia has strict biosecurity requirements. Pets from Singapore typically require a rabies titre test and a waiting period before they can enter Australia. Singapore is not a Category 1 country for Australian imports. Start the process 6 to 12 months before your departure. Refer to daff.gov.au for current requirements.
UK: The UK requires a microchip, rabies vaccination, and either a tapeworm treatment for dogs or specific conditions depending on origin. Refer to gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain for current UK import requirements.
USA: The USA has specific rabies vaccination timing requirements and documentation standards for dogs. Refer to aphis.usda.gov for current requirements.
Malaysia: Malaysia has its own import requirements for pets from Singapore. Contact Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) for current conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CAPQ agent to export my pet? AVS does not mandate an agent for export in the way it does for import (post-April 2026). For export, you can handle the GoBusiness licence and vet certificate yourself. However, a CAPQ inspection (if required by your destination) can involve coordination, and some owners use an agent for convenience.
How early should I start planning my pet's export? For destinations with titre test requirements (Australia, USA, many European countries), start 6 to 12 months before your departure. For destinations with simpler requirements, 2 to 3 months is often sufficient, but confirm early.
My pet has been in Singapore for 2 years. Does that affect the destination country's requirements? The destination country's requirements are based on where your pet is being exported from (Singapore) and possibly your pet's complete vaccination and test history, not solely how long they have been in Singapore. Check the specific requirements for your destination.
Can I take my pet as hand luggage on the flight? This depends entirely on the airline and the destination country. Some routes permit small pets in-cabin; many require hold travel. Brachycephalic breeds face additional restrictions. Contact your airline's live animal desk directly for your specific route.
Leaving Singapore with your dog or cat? Make sure you have all the Singapore-side paperwork covered. For the import side of a previous move, see our Singapore pet import guide.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Confirm current requirements before proceeding.