Whether your pet goes into quarantine when it lands in Singapore depends entirely on which country it's flying from. This guide breaks down which countries fall under Schedule I (no quarantine at all), which fall under Schedule II (quarantine is not expected, but only if you get the paperwork right), and what actually triggers quarantine when it does apply.
All requirements are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.
Schedule I: The Countries With No Quarantine at All
Four countries carry Singapore's lowest rabies risk classification. If your pet is flying from one of these, there is no rabies vaccination requirement, no titre test, and no quarantine on arrival.
| Country | Rabies vaccination required? | Titre test required? | Quarantine? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | No | No |
| New Zealand | No | No | No |
| Republic of Ireland | No | No | No |
| United Kingdom | No | No | No |
Schedule I pets still need the standard baseline: an ISO-compliant microchip, an AVS import licence filed by a licensed agent, and a veterinary health certificate issued within 7 days of export. But because there's no titre test and no 90-day waiting period to plan around, Schedule I pets are typically ready to fly in 4 to 8 weeks from the day you start the process.
Schedule II: Quarantine Is Waived, Not Automatic
Schedule II covers a much longer list of countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and most of Western Europe. The key difference from Schedule I: your pet needs a rabies vaccination and a titre test before AVS will waive quarantine.
| Step | Requirement | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Rabies vaccination | Must be current, microchip number recorded on the certificate | Before blood sampling |
| Rabies titre test | Blood drawn at a WOAH reference lab or an AVS-approved lab in a Schedule I or II country | At least 28 days after vaccination |
| Waiting period | Mandatory cooling-off period after the blood draw | 90 days from the sampling date, not the result date |
| Validity window | Blood sampling can't be too old | No more than 12 months before export |
Because of the 90-day wait, Schedule II pets need 3 to 5 months minimum from your first vet visit to your travel date. Miss the window (blood sample older than 12 months, or your move gets delayed past that) and you're re-testing from scratch.
The quarantine trigger most owners miss: even with a valid titre test, a 10-day home quarantine applies if your pet arrives more than 5 days after you do, or if you've owned the pet less than 6 months at the time of import. AVS enforces this with a smart collar monitor, and it costs S$29 per animal per day. Our home quarantine guide covers both triggers and the approval process in full.
Schedule I vs Schedule II: Side by Side
| Schedule I | Schedule II | |
|---|---|---|
| Example countries | Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland | USA, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, most of Western Europe |
| Rabies vaccination | Not required | Required |
| Titre test | Not required | Required, 90-day wait after blood draw |
| Quarantine (standard case) | None | None, if documents and timing are correct |
| Quarantine (conditional) | Not applicable | 10-day home quarantine if arriving more than 5 days after you, or owned under 6 months |
| Realistic timeline | 4–8 weeks | 3–5 months |
If your country isn't on either list, it falls under Schedule III, which includes Malaysia and most of Southeast Asia, South Asia, China, and the Middle East. Schedule III requires the same titre test and 90-day wait as Schedule II, plus a mandatory minimum 30-day quarantine at Singapore's Animal Quarantine Centre. Our Singapore pet import requirements guide covers the full three-schedule breakdown, including Schedule III.
What You Still Need, Even Without Quarantine
No quarantine doesn't mean no process. Schedule I and Schedule II pets both still need:
- ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip, implanted before any vaccination
- AVS import licence filed via the PALS portal by a licensed agent, at least 21 business days before arrival
- Veterinary health certificate issued no more than 7 days before export
- Singapore Customs In-Payment (GST) permit via TradeNet
- CAPQ clearance slot booked in advance at Changi Airport
Since 1 April 2026, the AVS import licence application and CAPQ clearance must both go through an AVS-recognised agent. You cannot file the permit yourself, and you cannot be present at CAPQ when your pet is collected. Our guide to choosing an AVS-recognised agent explains what to check before you commit to one.
If Your Route Needs a Titre Test
Schedule II owners lose the most time to titre test mistakes: wrong lab, blood drawn too early relative to the vaccination, or a sample that's aged past the 12-month validity window. Our step-by-step titre test guide walks through booking the right lab and reading your result correctly before you commit to a travel date.
Country-Specific Guides
For the exact process, forms, and timeline for your origin country:
- Schedule I: Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland
- Schedule II: USA, Canada, Japan, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my country Schedule I or Schedule II? Schedule I is limited to Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Nearly every other developed country, including the USA, Canada, Japan, and most of the EU, is Schedule II. If you're unsure, check your specific country against AVS's current classification list, since classifications are reviewed periodically.
Can a Schedule II pet still end up in quarantine? Yes, but only under two conditions: arriving more than 5 days after you, or having been in your care less than 6 months. Outside of those triggers, a Schedule II pet with a valid titre test and correct paperwork clears CAPQ without quarantine.
Is Japan Schedule I or Schedule II? Japan is Schedule II, not Schedule I, under current AVS requirements. If you're moving from Japan, budget for the titre test and 90-day wait.
How much faster is Schedule I than Schedule II? Schedule I pets skip the titre test and 90-day wait entirely, so the whole process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Schedule II pets need 3 to 5 months minimum because of the mandatory waiting period after the blood draw.
Do I need an agent even if there's no quarantine? Yes. The AVS import licence must be filed by a licensed agent, and CAPQ clearance at Changi must go through that same agent, regardless of your schedule. No quarantine only removes one step from the process, not the permit or clearance requirements.
Ready to get started? Visit our no-quarantine pet import page or speak to our team for a route-specific timeline.