Horses
Horses
Generally, horses are imported into, exported out of, or transhipped via Singapore for racing, polo, or equestrian events.Importing horses
Below is an overview of the steps to follow if you want to import horses.1. Ensure that the horse fulfils our veterinary conditions for import
The veterinary conditions for import of horses are listed below.
• Import of horses from all countries except the Republic of South Africa*
• Conditions for temporary importation of horses
• Returning Singapore horses after racing/competition
*Horses from South Africa cannot be imported into Singapore.
2. Apply for an AVS-issued import licence
Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued import licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal if you want to bring horses into Singapore. This licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for an import licence is available here.
| Type of licence | Cost and validity |
| Licence to import animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (personal or 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 is valid for export of one consignment only. |
The following documents must be included in your application.
Mandatory document for all applications
• Equine influenza vaccination records (including name of vaccine, date of administration, and dose).
The following documents are not required during import licence applications. However the documents (if applicable) must be presented to AVS for documentation checks and veterinary inspection.
• Vaccination records for:
1. Venezuelan, Eastern, and Western equine encephalitis
2. Rabies
• Laboratory test results for:
1. Contagious equine metritis
2. Equine infectious anaemia
3. Equine viral arteritis
4. Trypanosomiasis
5. Piroplasmosis
6. Hendra
7. Nipah
3. Obtain a veterinary health certificate and an equine passport
You are requires to produce a veterinary health certificate confirming that your horse fulfils the veterinary conditions for import, and is healthy and free from any contagious or infectious disease prior to import.
Each imported hourse is also required that to have an equine passport, which contains the horse’s silhouette and updated vaccination records.
| Step | Description |
| Step 1 | Download and print out the veterinary health certificate template attached in our relevant veterinary conditions for import form. |
| Step 2 | Have your licensed private veterinarian complete the veterinary health certificate template and provide you with the equine passport. The passport must contain the horse’s silhouette and updated vaccination records. |
| Step 3 | Have the completed veterinary health certificate endorsed by the exporting country’s government veterinarian. |
4. Book an inspection appointment before your horse arrives in Singapore
Horses are subject to inspection.
You can book the inspection appointment by submitting a request via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST). Submit your request before 12 pm at least one day ahead of your desired inspection date.
5. Obtain a master’s/captain’s declaration
Your horse must be accompanied by a declaration signed by the master of the ship or the captain of the aircraft. Download and print the declaration template in the relevant veterinary conditions for import form.
6. Veterinary inspection upon arrival
Upon arrival at the port of disembarkation in Singapore, your horse will undergo inspection by our veterinary officer.
The officer will also examine and verify that the following accompanying documents are in order:
• AVS-issued import licence
• Equine passport
• Original veterinary health certificate
• Original laboratory test reports
• Master’s/captain’s declaration
If your horse is found to be healthy and the documents are in order, it will be transported to the Singapore Equine Quarantine Station (SEQS) for a minimum 14-day quarantine.
Exporting horses
Follow the steps below if you intend to export horses.
1. Check the destination country’s import requirements
Find out what the import requirements of the destination country are. Some countries mandate that a veterinary health certificate is a condition for entry.
Information on import requirements can be obtained from the website of the destination country’s relevant government authority.
2. Apply for an export licence
Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued export licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 30 days of leaving Singapore.
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for this licence is available here.
| Type of licence | Cost and validity |
| Licence to import, export, transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics |
• 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. |
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.
Health certificate requirements differ with each destination country.
Some countries require that a veterinary health certificate be issued by a licensed private veterinarian. The statements needed on the certificate, as well as the certificate’s validity period, will depend on the destination country’s import conditions.
Other countries require that the veterinary health certificate be issued or endorsed by a government veterinarian (i.e. from us). You can apply for and obtain an AVS-issued veterinary health certificate via GoBusiness Licensing Portal.
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for the veterinary health certificate is available here.
The following documents must be included in your application:
• Template of the veterinary health certificate required by the destination country
• Pre-export quarantine or isolation records certified by your licensed private veterinarian
• Laboratory test results
• AVS-issued export licence
A government veterinarian will need to inspect the horses prior to issuance of the AVS-issued veterinary health certificate.
Transshipping horses
Transshipping horses via Singapore is allowed if you have an AVS-issued transshipment licence.
Apply for an AVS-issued transshipment licence
Prepare the following documents in soft copy:
• A valid veterinary health certificate from the exporting country.
• An import permit issued by the importing country (if applicable).
Apply for and obtain the transshipment licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal, and upload these documents along with your application.
A step-by-step guide on how to apply for the licence is available here.
| Type of licence | Cost and validity |
| Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics | • 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. |
What happens during transshipment
Travel by air
During transshipment, horses will be held at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) at Terminal 5 of Changi Airfreight Centre.
Please make the necessary arrangements with the ground handling agent prior to the transshipment. Details of the two ground handling agents, SATS Gateway Pte Ltd and DNATA Singapore, are shown below.
| SATS location | DNATA location |
| SATS Terminal 5 20 Airport Boulevard, Singapore Changi Airport Singapore 918141 |
DNATA Outbound Terminal 50 Airport Boulevard, Singapore Changi Airport Singapore 819658 |
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ)
| Address | Operating hours |
| Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station Gate C7, Airport Cargo Road Changi Airfreight Centre Singapore 918104 |
Mondays - Saturdays: 8 am - 1 pm 2 pm - 10.30 pm Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. |
| Contact | How to get there* |
| Tel: (65) 65457523 |
Bus: 9, 19, and 89 (alight at the third bus stop after Police Pass Office, along Airline Road). *This travel information is meant for commuters without pets, as animals are not allowed on buses and MRT trains. |
Travel by land
Inform the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) office of your consignment’s planned arrival date five days before the actual arrival if your transshipment is by land (i.e. between Singapore and Malaysia).
Horses transiting Singapore by land may need to be escorted from the port of entry to the port of departure. Please contact us for further information.