CAPQ — the Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine Station — is where every dog and cat entering Singapore clears on arrival. From 1 April 2026, pet owners can no longer access CAPQ directly. Only an AVS-recognised agent can collect your pet from the airline cargo hold and present them for clearance.
This guide walks through exactly what happens from the moment your pet lands at Changi to when they leave CAPQ, what documents your agent presents, and what can cause delays.
What CAPQ Is and Where It Is
CAPQ is located at the Changi Airfreight Centre, adjacent to Changi Airport. It is operated by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a division of NParks.
All dogs and cats arriving in Singapore as manifested cargo or as excess baggage must clear CAPQ before release. The clearance process involves document verification, microchip scanning, and physical inspection of the animal and crate.
CAPQ operating hours (from 1 April 2026):
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Wednesday to Friday | 9am to 8pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Public holidays | Closed |
| Lunch break (all days) | 1pm to 2pm |
Book your pet's flight to arrive on a day CAPQ is open and outside the lunch break. A Saturday arrival means your pet cannot clear until Monday morning and remains in airline cargo over the weekend. This adds stress to the animal and may incur additional airline holding fees.
Why You Cannot Go to CAPQ Yourself (from April 2026)
From 1 April 2026, AVS requires all pet imports to be handled by an AVS-recognised agent for CAPQ clearance. Pet owners are not permitted to collect their animals from CAPQ directly.
The reason: the Changi Airfreight Centre is an operational cargo facility, and AVS moved to an agent-only model to ensure documentation compliance is handled by parties familiar with the requirements.
The agent you appoint takes on full responsibility for:
- Collecting your pet from the airline cargo area
- Presenting all required documents at the CAPQ inspection counter
- Managing the physical clearance process
- Arranging transport from CAPQ to your home or to the AQC
Your pet does not leave CAPQ without your agent's involvement.
What Your Agent Does at CAPQ: Step by Step
Step 1: Collect from airline cargo After your pet's flight lands, the animal is unloaded and moved to the airline's live animal handling area within the Changi Airfreight Centre. Your agent coordinates with the airline to collect the pet once the flight arrives.
Step 2: Present documents at CAPQ counter Your agent presents all required documents at the CAPQ inspection counter:
| Document | Who provides it |
|---|---|
| AVS import licence | Agent (applied in advance via PALS/GoBusiness) |
| Veterinary health certificate | Owner (from origin country vet and government endorsement) |
| Rabies titre test result | Owner (if Schedule II or III) |
| Singapore Customs GST permit | Agent (obtained prior to arrival) |
Every document must match: the microchip number on the licence must match the chip in the animal; the health certificate must be valid (within 7 days of issue); the titre test result must show the same chip number and a value ≥0.5 IU/mL (for Schedule II and III).
Step 3: Microchip verification The CAPQ officer scans your pet's microchip and verifies it against the import licence. The number must match exactly. A chip that cannot be read causes the clearance process to pause until the issue is resolved.
Step 4: Physical inspection of animal and crate The CAPQ officer inspects the animal for signs of illness and verifies the crate meets IATA requirements. If your pet arrived in a soft carrier but was booked as hold cargo, the agent transfers them to a rigid IATA-compliant crate at this stage. An additional crate hire fee applies.
Step 5: Routing decision After documents and inspection pass, CAPQ determines the routing:
| Import schedule | What happens next |
|---|---|
| Schedule I (Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland) — standard case | Agent transports pet to owner's home |
| Schedule II — no quarantine triggers | Agent transports pet to owner's home |
| Schedule II — home quarantine applies | Agent fits smart collar; pet goes to owner's designated home quarantine address |
| Schedule III | Agent transfers pet to AQC (S$75 transport fee) |
Step 6: Release Your agent contacts you once clearance is complete. If your pet is being transported to your home directly, the agent arranges delivery. If going to the AQC, your pet is transferred and you receive confirmation of the AQC booking details.
What Can Cause Delays at CAPQ
Document mismatch: The microchip number on any document does not match the others. This happens most often when documentation is prepared across different vets or offices. Your agent should check all document numbers before your pet travels.
Microchip not readable: A chip placed too deep, placed near scar tissue, or simply old and faded may not scan. Your agent carries a secondary scanner, but if the chip cannot be read at all, CAPQ cannot verify the animal matches the licence.
Health certificate expired: The certificate is valid for 7 days from issue. Arrival delays, flight changes, or late endorsement dates can push the arrival outside the validity window. If this happens, clearance cannot proceed until the situation is resolved with AVS.
Crate non-compliance: A crate with plastic clips instead of metal bolts, insufficient ventilation, or incorrect size will fail the inspection. The agent can arrange a compliant crate at CAPQ but this takes time and costs extra.
Documents missing: If the titre test result, GST permit, or health certificate is not presented, clearance stops. Your agent should have every document confirmed and in hand before your pet's flight lands.
Before Your Pet Travels: Document Checklist for CAPQ
Give your agent all of the following at least 2–3 weeks before your pet's flight:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Microchip number | As recorded by the vet; verify ISO 11784/11785 format |
| Titre test result | Original (not a scan); applies to Schedule II and III |
| Health certificate | From origin country vet and government endorsement |
| Pet photos | Some agents require these for documentation file |
| Arrival details | Flight number, airline, expected arrival time |
Your agent handles the import licence application, GST permit, and AQC booking (if applicable). You supply the vet-side documents.
After CAPQ: What Happens to Your Pet
Schedule I and II (no quarantine): Your agent transports your pet from CAPQ to your Singapore address. The agent typically provides a pet taxi service or arranges a dedicated transport. Confirm this is included in your agent's service scope.
Schedule II (home quarantine): Your pet is fitted with an AVS smart collar at CAPQ. The collar monitors your pet's location for 10 days. Your pet must remain at the designated home quarantine address for the full period.
Schedule III (AQC): Your pet is transferred directly from CAPQ to the AQC at Sembawang. You can visit on Tuesday and Thursday 3pm to 5pm and Saturday 2pm to 5pm. Release is between 10am and 12pm on day 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be at the Changi Airfreight Centre when my pet arrives? You can be in the public areas of the terminal complex, but you cannot enter the operational cargo area or CAPQ itself. Your agent will update you once clearance is complete.
How long does CAPQ clearance take? For straightforward cases with all documents in order, clearance typically takes 1–3 hours after the agent collects the pet from airline cargo. Complex cases (document queries, crate issues) take longer.
What if my flight is delayed? Your agent monitors the flight and adjusts accordingly. If the new arrival time falls outside CAPQ hours or on a closed day, your agent coordinates with the airline to hold the animal safely until CAPQ opens. This is one reason to choose an experienced agent and not book a flight arriving close to CAPQ closing time.
My pet has never been separated from me before. Will they be okay? Most animals settle within a few hours of being collected by the agent. Experienced agents are familiar with anxious animals and take care during transport and clearance. If your pet has particular needs, brief your agent in advance.
Is the CAPQ clearance included in agent fees? In most cases yes — CAPQ clearance is the core service. Confirm with your agent exactly what is included, particularly whether AQC transport, home quarantine coordination, and post-CAPQ transport to your home are covered.
Importing a dog or cat to Singapore and need help with CAPQ clearance? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote from an AVS-recognised agent.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Hours and procedures subject to change; verify before travel.