Ornamental birds

Ornamental birds are birds intended for all other purposes besides consumption. These include pet birds, and birds for breeding. Examples of ornamental birds are guinea fowls, partridges, parrots, parakeets, budgerigars, cockatoos, doves, peafowls, swans, and finches.

You must fulfil our requirements in order to import, export, or transship ornamental birds.

Additional permits are required for import, export, or re-export of endangered ornamental birds listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Examples of endangered ornamental birds include macaws, cockatoos, and all except four species of parrots*.

Certain parrots under CITES Appendix I are listed as highly endangered species. The endangered parrot species listed here are not eligible for commercial import, export, or re-export unless the bird has been bred in captivity in operations or farms that are either registered with CITES, or used for non-commercial purposes.

For more information on the endangered animal species listed under CITES, please see the CITES Appendices.

*The four non-CITES listed parrot species are the peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), and ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri).

Importing ornamental birds

Information on importing ornamental birds can be found here . Below is an overview of the steps to follow if you want to import ornamental birds.

1. Check the avian influenza (bird flu) status of the exporting country

Importing birds from countries/regions/zones affected by Avian Influenza (AI) are prohibited. Check a country's AI status and refer to the World Animal Health Information Database website for the list of countries/regions/zones where the export of ornamental birds is currently prohibited.

All consignments of ornamental birds originate from non-AI affected countries/regions/zones can only be imported using direct flight or transit in non-AI affected countries.

2. Ensure that the ornamental birds fulfill our veterinary conditions for import

Your consignment of ornamental birds must fulfill our veterinary conditions for import of birds.

3. Apply for CITES import permit requirements

If you are importing birds of CITES species, please ensure to obtain:

1) A CITES export/re-export permit obtained from the exporting/re-exporting country; and
2) A CITES import permit from NParks.

You must obtain all CITES permits prior to arrival of the consignment in Singapore. Please click here for more information on how to apply for CITES permits.

4. Apply for import licence and customs clearance permit

An import licence and a customs clearance permit are needed to import ornamental birds.

AVS-issued import licence

Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued import licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal if you want to bring ornamental birds into Singapore. As the 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 licence is available here.

Customs clearance permit

Each incoming consignment must be accompanied by a cargo clearance permit for clearance at the port of entry. You can obtain this permit by applying for it via TradeNet.

You will need to provide the appropriate Harmonized System (HS) codes and product codes in your application. The list of product codes required in your application can be found here.

Type of license	Cost and Validity
Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (commercial)	• S$62 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents. • S$124 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 one consignment only.
Licence to import/export/transship 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. Each licence allows you to import up to five ornamental birds.

5. Obtain a veterinary health certificate

Each consignment of ornamental birds must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate signed by a government veterinary authority or a registered veterinarian from the exporting country.

6. Inspection upon arrival in Singapore

Ornamental birds are subject to inspection upon arrival in Singapore. You can book an inspection appointment via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFast). Please submit your appointment request at least five days before your consignment’s arrival. Bringing animals for inspection without making an appointment will subject you to an S$80 fee.

Your consignment of ornamental birds and the necessary supporting documents will be inspected by our officer at the port of entry. Your consignment will be released if the documents are in order and the birds are healthy.

Additional requirements for commercial importers

In addition to the steps listed above, commercial importers of ornamental birds must also obtain a pet shop licence.

Exporting ornamental birds

Exporters of ornamental birds are required to obtain an export licence and fulfil the destination country’s import requirements.

You can refer to this factsheet for more information on exporting ornamental birds.

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, and that the animal must be quarantined before export.

Information on import requirements can be obtained from the website of the destination country’s relevant government authority.

2. Inform us of intended export

Inform us of your intended export at least two months before export. This will ensure our officers can assist you to make arrangements for pre-export quarantine and certification preparations if these are required.

3. Ensure that the ornamental birds comply with CITES permit requirements

If you are exporting or re-exporting ornamental birds of CITES species, please ensure to obtain a CITES export/re-export permit from NParks.

You must obtain CITES permits prior to departure of the consignment from Singapore. Please click here for more information on how to apply for CITES permits.

4. Apply for an export licence

Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued export licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal. As the licence is 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 an export licence is available here.

Type of licence	Cost and validity
Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (commercial)	• S$62 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents. • S$124 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 one consignment only.
Licence to import/export/transship 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. Each licence allows you to export up to five ornamental birds.

5. 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 the certification requirements from the website of the destination country’s relevant authority.

Some countries require that the veterinary health certificate be issued by a licensed private veterinarian. You can obtain this certificate by bringing your pet to an AVS-licensed veterinarian for examination. 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 or endorsed veterinary health certificate via GoBusiness Licensing Portal.

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 (depending on the importing country requirements)
• AVS-issued export permit
• CITES import and export permits

6. Make an appointment for pre-export inspection

This step applies to you if the destination country mandates pre-export inspection.

Make an appointment for an ornamental bird inspection by submitting your request via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST). Submit your request at least five days before your consignment is due to leave Singapore. Bringing your ornamental bird for inspection without making an appointment will subject you to an S$80 inspection fee.

The inspection will be conducted at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) at least four hours before departure so there is sufficient time to transport your consignment to the cargo or passenger terminal. Inspections must be done during CAPQ operating hours.

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 – 10.30pm 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 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. View the detailed directions to CAPQ here.

7. Make arrangements with the ground handling agent for consignments transported as cargo

Contact the transporting airline(s) to make pre-export arrangements with the ground handling agent prior to export if your consignment is transported as cargo. There are two ground handling agents for this purpose:
• SATS Gateway Pte Ltd
• DNATA Singapore

Before you transport your ornamental bird consignment to the ground handling agent on the day of departure, please ensure that the consignment is accompanied by these documents:
• A copy of the export licence you obtained from us
• The original veterinary health certificate (if required) that fulfils the import or entry requirements of the destination country (if required)
• Any other additional supporting documents required by the destination country

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

Additional requirements for commercial exporters

In addition to the steps listed above, commercial exporters of ornamental birds must also ensure that the following requirements are met.

Pet shop licence

In order to export animals for commercial purposes, you must first obtain a pet shop licence.

Customs clearance permit

You will need to obtain a cargo clearance permit for clearance at the port of entry. This permit can be obtained online via TradeNet.

You will need to provide the appropriate Harmonized System (HS) codes and product codes in your application. The list of products codes required in your application is available here.

Transshipping ornamental birds

Your ornamental bird consignment can transit Singapore if you have an AVS-issued transshipment licence. Birds from bird-flu affected countries are not allowed to transit Singapore.

Apply for an AVS-issued transshipment licence

Prepare the following documents in soft copy:
• A valid veterinary health certificate.
• An import permit issued by the importing country (if required).

Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued transshipment licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal and upload these documents.

A step-by-step guide on how to apply for the transshipment licence is available here.

Type of licence	Cost and validity
Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (commercial)	• S$62 for same-day issuance. This licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Each licence is valid for one consignment only.
Licence to import/export/transship animals, birds, eggs, and biologics (personal)	• S$50 for same-day issuance. This licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Each licence allows you to transship up to five ornamental birds.

TradeNet declaration

You are required to declare your transshipment via TradeNet before the consignment reaches Singapore.

Copies of the AVS-issued transshipment licence, and CITES export or import permits (issued by exporting and importing countries), where applicable, must be attached to your declaration. This declaration will be routed to us for processing and approval.

For enquiries on TradeNet, please contact Singapore Customs at (65) 63552000 or customs_documentation@customs.gov.sg.

Make an appointment for transhipment inspection and accommodation at CAPQ

If your ornamental bird consignment is transiting Singapore for more than six hours during the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station’s (CAPQ) operating hours and requires accommodation there, it must undergo inspection. Pet owners, agents, or representatives are required to book an inspection appointment via the Intelligent Food Approval & Safety Tracking System (iFAST) at least five days before your consignment’s arrival.

Bringing your ornamental birds for inspection without making a prior appointment will subject you to an S$80 inspection fee. This inspection fee is charged separately from the S$26.25 accommodation fee.

What happens during transshipment

Your ornamental bird consignment will be transferred to the CAPQ station if its transit in Singapore lasts longer than six hours.

If your consignment is transiting Singapore for less than six hours, or during CAPQ's non-operating hours, it will be kept in the airline’s animal holding area instead.

You are required to pay S$26.25 per kennel unit per day (or part thereof) to accommodate your consignment of ornamental birds at CAPQ. Please note that feed will not be provided.