How to Export Pets from Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide for Stress-Free Pet Travel 2025

Pawsport Express
Jun 19
7 min read

Updated: Jun 20

Navigating Pet Travel: A woman prepares her dog and cat for an international journey at Singapore's Changi Airport, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for her furry companions.

Getting a flight for your pet is only one part of exporting them from Singapore. If you're moving for work, school, or a long-term trip abroad, you'll need to plan carefully to bring your beloved pet with you. The process can seem overwhelming because of government rules, health certifications, crate preparation, and working with airlines.

That's why it's so important to work with people who know what they're doing. This full guide will show you how to export pets from Singapore step by step. This way, you can plan with confidence and make sure your furry family member has a safe and happy trip.

Why You Need to Be Careful When Exporting Pets from Singapore

Singapore is one of the most connected cities in the world, but it's not as easy to send pets from this island nation as it is to buy a plane ticket. The process must follow strict national and international rules that are meant to protect the health of the public and the welfare of animals.

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) makes sure that only healthy, properly vaccinated pets can leave Singapore. Also, each destination country has its own rules about what can be brought in, such as blood tests and breed restrictions. These rules must be followed to avoid being turned away or put in quarantine at the border.

Planning and getting ready ahead of time will make your pet's trip as stress-free as possible and lower the chances of delays, being turned away, or, even worse, having to cancel at the last minute.

Learning about the AVS Export License Requirements

The law in Singapore says that all pets leaving the country must have an AVS Export Licence. This law applies to you whether you are moving temporarily, permanently, or for business reasons.

Different kinds of export licenses

Depending on what you're exporting, you can get either a personal export licence or a commercial export licence. Personal licences are for people who are moving with their pets, and commercial licences are for businesses that move pets or breed animals.

Families and people moving abroad with their pets use the Personal Export Licence more often.

How to Get the AVS Export License

You have to apply online through the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. Be aware of how long it takes to process:

It takes two business days to process regular applications and one day for express applications. The licence is only good for 90 days from the date it was issued, so it's important to time your application correctly. If you apply too early, it may expire before your travel date; if you apply too late, you may not get it in time.

Things You Shouldn't Do When You Apply

Some common mistakes are filling out forms incorrectly, sending in the wrong supporting documents, or waiting until the last minute to apply. If you don't get your export licence in on time, your pet might not be able to board the plane.

If you own a dog, you also need to remember to cancel your pet's registration on the PALS system after you export it to stay in line with AVS rules.

Looking into what the destination country needs

One of the most important steps, but one that is often missed, is to learn about the specific needs of the country you are going to. Not meeting these requirements could lead to expensive delays or a required quarantine.

Standards for Vaccines and Microchips

Almost every country requires that your pet get a rabies shot. Also, dogs need to get core vaccinations like those for distemper, parvovirus, and canine adenovirus, and cats need to get core vaccinations like those for feline panleukopenia.

In many countries, it is also required to microchip your pet with a chip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. This proves their identity and connects their records across borders.

Tests for Rabies Antibodies

Some countries, like Australia, the UK, Japan, and the EU, require pets to have a rabies antibody titre test to make sure they are immune. After getting the rabies vaccine, this test must be done, and it may take several months of waiting before travel.

Quarantine and Limited Breeds

Some countries require quarantines when you arrive, while others don't allow certain breeds to be brought in. Always check to see if your pet's breed is allowed and if there are any quarantine rules in place.

Explaining the Process for Getting a Veterinary Health Certificate

One of the most important papers your pet needs for travel is the veterinary health certificate. It proves that your pet is healthy, doesn't have any contagious diseases, and is ready to travel abroad.

QR Verifiable Health Certificate vs. Endorsed Certificate

Singapore has two kinds of veterinary health certificates:

Many countries accept the QR Verifiable Health Certificate as a digital document. The AVS-endorsed certificate is a more traditional form with official stamps that some countries still require.

How to Get the Veterinary Health Certificate

Go to a licensed private veterinarian who has worked with pets travelling abroad before. The vet will do a full health check and fill out all the forms.

Then, the finished papers are sent to AVS for approval. If you're on a tight schedule, choose express service instead of normal processing, which can take up to two working days. Keep in mind that certificates are only good for seven days after they are issued, so plan this step carefully in relation to the date of your flight.

Inspection before export at Changi

Before you can send animals and plants to many places, like Australia and New Zealand, you have to have them checked at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ).

This means that government veterinarians will do one last health check on your pet to make sure it is healthy enough to fly and that all of its paperwork is in order. You can book the inspection through NParks e-Services, but you need to do it at least five business days before you leave.

Picking the Right Travel Crate

A travel crate is more than just a box; it's your pet's home away from home while they're on the road.

What an IATA-Approved Crate Has

An IATA-approved crate gives your pet enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably. It needs to be well-ventilated, securely closed, and have a sign that says "LIVE ANIMAL". To make sure everyone is comfortable, there should be water containers and absorbent materials.

How to Train Your Pet to Use the Crate

Start crate training your pet at least two to three weeks before the day of the flight to help them feel calm and safe. Give your pet treats, familiar bedding and short practice sessions to get them to spend time in the crate.

Making reservations for pet travel

Not all airlines can take pets, so it's important to pick one that cares about animals.

Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and Qatar Airways are all well-known for their high standards of animal care and are popular choices for pet-friendly flights from Singapore.

Working with Ground Handling Agents

Airlines work with professional ground handlers like SATS Gateway and DNATA Singapore at Changi Airport to make sure that pets are loaded safely and watched over before boarding.

Working with these handlers makes sure that the transfer goes smoothly on the day of travel.

Timeline for the export process

When exporting pets from Singapore, the key to success is to plan ahead. Begin at least 8 to 12 weeks before your planned departure to give time for vaccinations, rabies titre tests, and official paperwork.

Checklist for the last week

Make sure that all travel documents are ready, inspections are planned, and the travel crate is ready. A last check-up by the vet is a good idea to make sure your pet is healthy and ready to fly.

Things to Watch Out for When Exporting Pets

Some of the most common mistakes are waiting too long to apply for an export licence, not crate training your pet, skipping important vaccinations or titre tests, or picking an airline that doesn't allow pets.

You can avoid these common mistakes and make sure your pet's trip goes smoothly and safely by planning ahead or hiring a professional relocation service like Pawsport Express.

What Pawsport Express Can Do for You

Pawsport Express is a Singapore-based company that specialises in moving pets. We take care of every step of the export process for you, from beginning to end:

We help with things like finding out what the destination country needs, organising vaccinations and titre tests, getting Veterinary Health Certificates, applying for AVS Export Licences, and booking IATA-approved travel crates. We also talk to airlines, ground handlers, and AVS officials so you can relax knowing that your pet is in good hands.

Conclusion: Exporting pets from Singapore is easy and stress-free

If you plan ahead and get help from professionals, sending pets from Singapore can be easy. You can't leave your pet's safety to chance, so working with a reliable company like Pawsport Express gives you peace of mind and a safe trip for your pet.