Moving your dog or cat from Singapore to the United States involves two sets of requirements: the Singapore export process handled by AVS, and the US entry process split between the CDC (for dogs) and USDA APHIS (for cats and other species). Neither side requires quarantine, which makes Singapore-to-US one of the more manageable international pet moves — but the health certificate timing and US-side documentation still require careful planning.
Singapore-side requirements are sourced from avs.nparks.gov.sg. US-side requirements are governed by the CDC (cdc.gov) for dogs and USDA APHIS (aphis.usda.gov) for cats. US pet import rules changed significantly in June 2023. Verify all current requirements directly with CDC and USDA APHIS before beginning your preparation.
Overview: Two Agencies, No Quarantine
| Side | Authority | What Is Required |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (export) | AVS | Export licence + health certificate |
| US entry (dogs) | CDC | Microchip, health documentation, appears healthy |
| US entry (cats) | USDA APHIS | Appears healthy; health certificate (airline requirement) |
| Quarantine | Neither side | No mandatory quarantine for Singapore-origin pets |
Singapore is classified as a low-risk country for dog rabies by the CDC. Pets from Singapore arriving in the US do not enter mandatory quarantine. Inspection happens at the US port of entry and is typically completed within the airport.
Singapore Side: Export Licence and Health Certificate
Export Licence
Apply via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (gobusiness.gov.sg) within 90 days of your departure date.
| Option | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | SGD 50 | 2 working days |
| Express | SGD 100 | 1 working day |
The licence is valid for 90 days from issue. Cancel your dog's Singapore PALS licence after export.
Health Certificate
A Singapore-licensed private veterinarian examines your pet and completes the health certificate. You then submit it to AVS for government endorsement — most US airlines and US Customs require a government-endorsed certificate for pets arriving from overseas.
Option 3a (US-format or airline-format template, endorsed by AVS):
- Most appropriate when your airline or destination state requires an official government-endorsed health certificate
- Submit to AVS at the Raffles Building drop-off box (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
- AVS endorsement: 2 working days
Option 3b (QR-verifiable certificate):
- Valid for 7 days from date of issue
- Applied via GoBusiness Licensing Portal
Timing: Issue the health certificate within 10 days of your flight departure. US CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officers at the port of entry check that the certificate is current. A certificate more than 10 days old at the time of US arrival is considered expired by most US inspection protocols.
US Side: Dogs
The CDC has had primary authority over dog imports into the United States since June 2023. Singapore is classified by the CDC as a country that is not at high risk for dog rabies, which means dogs from Singapore are not subject to the more restrictive requirements that apply to dogs from high-risk countries.
General requirements for dogs arriving from Singapore:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit chip; must be readable by universal scanner |
| Appears healthy | Dogs must show no signs of illness on arrival |
| Rabies vaccination | Confirm current CDC requirements — see cdc.gov for the most current rules |
| Health certificate | Issued by Singapore vet within 10 days of arrival; government-endorsed |
| Screwworm | Not required for Singapore (Singapore is screwworm-free) |
| CDC facility reservation | Not required for dogs from low-risk countries |
At the US port of entry: A USDA Agricultural Specialist or CBP officer inspects your dog. They check the microchip, review the health certificate, and confirm the dog appears healthy. There is no quarantine facility hold for dogs from Singapore when requirements are met.
Important: US dog import rules changed substantially on June 1, 2023. If you received advice before that date or are reading third-party summaries of the rules, verify directly at cdc.gov before beginning preparation. Requirements for dogs vaccinated against rabies outside the US carry specific documentation conditions that must be confirmed with the CDC.
US Side: Cats
Cats entering the United States are regulated by USDA APHIS, not the CDC. The federal requirements for cats from Singapore are minimal compared to dog entry rules — there is no federal rabies vaccination requirement for cat imports and no mandatory quarantine.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Strongly recommended; required by most airlines |
| Appears healthy | Cats must show no clinical signs of illness on arrival |
| Health certificate | No federal legal requirement, but required by all airlines and recommended for CBP presentation |
| Quarantine | Not required |
| Rabies vaccination | No federal requirement, but recommended and required by many US state regulations post-arrival |
State-level rules: Some US states have their own pet entry requirements beyond federal rules. Hawaii is the most notable — it has strict quarantine and pre-arrival documentation requirements for all pets, including those from Singapore. If your destination is Hawaii, treat it as a separate research exercise from the continental US requirements.
At the US port of entry: Your cat will pass through CBP inspection. Present the health certificate and microchip documentation. Inspection is typically brief for cats arriving from Singapore.
Airline Requirements
Most airlines serving the Singapore-US route carry pets as checked baggage or cargo. In-cabin pet acceptance is limited to small dogs and cats that fit in an approved carrier under the seat, and this varies significantly by airline and route. Most direct Singapore-to-US flights are long-haul routes (typically 18+ hours) on aircraft that may not accept in-cabin pets.
Confirm directly with your airline before booking:
- Whether live animals are accepted on your specific route
- Cargo vs. checked baggage pet policy and applicable fees
- IATA crate dimension requirements for your pet's size
- Brachycephalic breed restrictions (many airlines restrict Pugs, French Bulldogs, and similar breeds from cargo during summer months or entirely)
- Whether the airline requires the health certificate to be in a specific format
Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines all have Singapore-US routes. Each has its own live animal policy. Contact the cargo desk, not general customer service, for accurate policy information.
Brachycephalic Breeds
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds — Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Persian cats, Himalayan cats, and others — face airline restrictions on many routes due to respiratory risk in cargo holds during high temperatures. The Singapore-to-US route passes through equatorial heat and may involve stopovers.
If your pet is a brachycephalic breed:
- Contact the airline's cargo desk specifically about brachycephalic policy on your route
- Ask about seasonal restrictions
- Consider whether an alternative routing or a different airline has a more permissive policy
- Confirm whether in-cabin carriage (if small enough) is available on your specific aircraft
For guidance on moving brachycephalic breeds, see our brachycephalic dogs and cats Singapore import guide.
Timeline for Singapore to USA
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks before departure | Confirm US entry requirements at cdc.gov (dogs) and aphis.usda.gov (cats); contact airline cargo desk; confirm state-level requirements for your US destination |
| 4–6 weeks before departure | Apply for Singapore export licence via GoBusiness (standard: 2 working days); confirm microchip readable |
| 2–3 weeks before departure | Book vet appointment for health certificate; confirm rabies vaccination current |
| 7–10 days before departure | Health certificate issued; submit to AVS for endorsement (Option 3a, 2 working days) |
| Day before departure | Final document check: export licence, health certificate, vaccination records, microchip records |
| Departure day | Confirm carrier placement with airline cargo team; present at check-in with full document set |
| US port of entry | CBP/USDA inspection on arrival; present health certificate and microchip documentation |
Documents to Have Ready
For the flight:
- Singapore AVS export licence
- AVS-endorsed health certificate (issued within 10 days of US arrival)
- Vaccination records (especially rabies for dogs)
- Microchip record
At the US port of entry:
- Health certificate
- Vaccination records
- Your own passport and pet ownership proof
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need to quarantine when arriving in the USA from Singapore? No. There is no mandatory quarantine for dogs or cats arriving from Singapore at US mainland ports of entry. Pets are inspected at the airport and proceed with you. Hawaii is the exception — it has its own quarantine requirements that apply to all incoming pets.
Is a rabies vaccination mandatory for my dog to enter the US from Singapore? US requirements for dogs vaccinated against rabies outside the US changed in June 2023. The current rules depend on your dog's vaccination history and the country of vaccination. Verify the current position at cdc.gov for dogs from low-risk countries like Singapore before making any decisions based on older information.
Can my cat fly in the cabin on the Singapore to US route? Possibly, on some airlines and for small cats in approved carriers. The Singapore-to-US route is one of the longest in the world (often 18+ hours direct), and many aircraft on this route restrict in-cabin pets. Confirm with your specific airline and flight number — policies vary by aircraft type as well as carrier.
My dog is large and cannot fly in cabin. What are the cargo options from Singapore? Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and others accept large dogs as cargo on Singapore-US routes. Contact the airline's cargo desk (not general customer service) for your specific flight. You will need IATA-compliant crate dimensions for your dog's size. Seasonal heat embargoes may restrict summer crossings — confirm with the airline.
Do I need to do anything special at the US airport when my pet arrives as cargo? Cargo pets typically clear through the airport's live animal handling facility. You collect your pet after CBP/USDA inspection, usually from the cargo warehouse rather than the passenger baggage carousel. Contact the airline's cargo desk for the specific collection procedure at your destination airport.
What is screwworm and does it affect pets from Singapore? New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a livestock pest that the US monitors at import. Singapore is screwworm-free, so no screwworm treatment or inspection is required for pets arriving from Singapore.
Leaving Singapore for the United States with your dog or cat? The Pawsport airport export package covers the Singapore-side export licence and AVS health certificate process. Contact us to confirm current US entry requirements for your specific pet and route.
Sources: Animal and Veterinary Service, Singapore (AVS), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for dog imports, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for cat imports. US pet import rules changed in June 2023 — verify all current requirements at cdc.gov and aphis.usda.gov before proceeding.