Preparing to leave Singapore
Preparing to leave Singapore
Whether you are relocating to another country, bringing your dog or cat on vacation, or exporting animals for commercial purposes, you are required to fulfil certain requirements when bringing dogs or cats out of Singapore.
Below are steps that must be done before leaving Singapore:
1. Check the destination country’s import requirements
Find out what the destination country’s import requirements are. An animal may need to undergo certain vaccinations and laboratory tests, or obtain a veterinary health certificate, before it can enter some countries.
These import requirements can be found on the website of the destination country’s relevant government authority.
2. Obtain an export licence
Apply for and obtain an export licence from us via GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 30 days of leaving Singapore. As the export licence is only valid for 30 days, it is important that you apply for it at the right time.A step-by-step guide on how to apply for this export licence can be found here.
Please note: To cancel your dog licence (if applicable) in PALS once your dog is exported out of Singapore.
| Type of licence | Cost and validity |
| Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (commercial) |
• S$87 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents. • S$174 for express service. Licence issuance will take place one working day after submission of all completed documents. This licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Each licence allows you to export one consignment only. |
| Licence to import/export/tranship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (personal) |
• S$50 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents. • S$100 for express service. Licence issuance will take place one working day after submission of all completed documents. This licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. |
3. Obtain a veterinary health certificate
This step only applies to you if the destination country mandates that a veterinary health certificate is a condition for entry.You can obtain a veterinary health certificate by bringing your dog or cat to any of our licensed private veterinarians for examination. The statements needed on the certificate, as well as the certificate’s validity period, will depend on the destination country’s import requirements.
However, some countries require that the veterinary health certificate be issued or endorsed by an official government veterinarian. Please approach us for the following services to fulfil this requirement.
To ensure that you submit all necessary documents, please download and complete this checklist for Veterinary Certificate (VC) Application for Export of Dogs & Cats from Singapore. Please attach the checklist to your hardcopy supporting documents and deposit them at the drop-off box located on Level 1 Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
(a) Endorsement of importing country’s veterinary health certificate template
This requires us to manually endorse the importing country’s veterinary health certificate template. You can obtain this template from the website of the destination country’s relevant government authority.How to apply:
1. Bring your dog or cat for an examination by a licensed private veterinarian. Bring along the veterinary health certificate template for the licensed private veterinarian to complete and sign.
2. Make an online application via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal and note your application number as it is needed during the submission of the completed health certificate template and subsequent collection of the endorsed certificate.
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for a veterinary health certificate is available here.
3. Please submit the completed health certificate template at:
| Address | Operating hours | |
|
AVS Drop-off box Level 1 Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569 Please refer to the location of the AVS drop-off box. |
Mondays - Fridays | 8:30 am - 5 pm |
| Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays. | ||
Please submit the following documents in order for us to endorse the certificate:
• Original completed veterinary health certificate template.
• Original vaccination records and laboratory test results (if applicable).
• Your application number.
• Health Certificate submission checklist.
Your online application will only be approved upon receiving the full documents based on the service standard. The service standard for endorsement of importing country’s veterinary health certificate template is two (2) working days.
Example 1: John submitted an online application for the veterinary certificate on 1 June 2024 and submitted the physical documents for endorsement on 2 June 2024 before 5pm. The endorsement will be processed for collection by 4 June 2024.
Example 2: John submitted an online application for the veterinary certificate on 1 June 2024 and submitted the physical documents for endorsement on 2 June 2024 after 5pm. The endorsement will be processed for collection by 5 June 2024.
(b) Issuance of QR verifiable veterinary health certificate
We are also able to convert a veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed private veterinarian into a watermarked veterinary health certificate.How to apply
1. Bring your dog or cat to a licensed private veterinarian for an examination, and to obtain a veterinary health certificate.
2. Apply for our QR verifiable veterinary health certificate via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal, supported by the following documents:
• Signed veterinary health certificate.
• Vaccination records and laboratory test results (if applicable).
Please retain your application number as it is needed for reference during collection of the certificate.
If all are in order, your online application will be approved depending on the chosen type of service.
Normal service (S$23): Issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents.
Express service (S$46): Issuance will take place one working day after submission of all completed documents.
3. Once your application for veterinary certificate has been approved, you may proceed print out a PDF copy of the QR verifiable certificate using your own printer.
Our issued certificates/licences will now carry a QR code security feature on the certificate/licence, which allows for the certificate/licence to be authenticated by relevant foreign Competent Authorities officers. See below.
Please note that the QR code may appear in a different position depending on the certificate/licence.
The QR verifiable veterinary health certificate is only valid for seven days from its date of issue.
4. Make an appointment for pre-export inspection
This step applies to you if the destination country mandates pre-export inspection as a condition for entry.
Make an appointment for your dog’s or cat’s inspection by submitting a request via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST) at least five days before the animal’s departure. Bringing your dog or cat for inspection without making an appointment will subject you to an inspection fee.
The inspection should be held at least four hours before departure so there is sufficient time to transport your dog or cat to the cargo terminal. The inspection must be done during the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station’s (CAPQ) operating hours.
| Address | Operating hours |
|
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station Gate C7, Airport Cargo Road |
Mondays - Saturdays: Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Please be informed with effect on 25 April 2022, the operating hours of Monday, Wednesday, Friday 0800H-2230H (no change) |
| Contact | How to get there* |
| Tel: (65) 65457523 Fax: (65) 65453023 |
Bus: 9, 19, and 89 (alight at the third bus stop after the Police Pass Office, along Airline Road). MRT: Bedok (transfer to bus 9), Tampines (transfer to bus 19). *This travel information is meant for commuters without pets, as animals are not allowed on buses and MRT trains. Download the detailed directions to CAPQ here. |
5. Make arrangements with the ground handling agent
Contact the transporting airline(s) to make arrangements with the ground handling agent prior to your dog’s or cat’s departure. There are two ground handling agents for this purpose:
• SATS Gateway Pte Ltd.
• DNATA Singapore.
Before you transport your dog or cat to the ground handling agent on the day of departure, please ensure that it is accompanied by the following documents:
• A copy of the AVS-issued export licence.
• The original veterinary health certificate that fulfils the import and/or entry requirements of the destination country.
• Any other additional supporting documents required by the destination country.
| SATS location | DNATA location |
|
SATS Terminal 5 |
DNATA Outbound Terminal 50 Airport Boulevard, |