Import Licence Requirements For Samples For Diagnostic Testing
Import licence requirements for samples for diagnostic testing
An example of a sample for diagnostic testing is blood serum imported for the Rabies Virus Antibody Indirect ELISA test conducted by us at our Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC).
Below are the steps required to import blood serum for rabies testing.
1. Apply for accreditation of veterinarian
Veterinarians submitting blood samples to Singapore for the first time must acquire AVS accreditation. This accreditation is a one-off application.
Below are the steps for applying for accreditation:
| Step | Description |
| Step 1: | Download and complete the relevant form |
| Step 2: |
Prepare the following documents for submission:
|
| Step 3: | Submit the above documents to us via email to animal_feedback@nparks.gov.sg. |
2. Apply for an AVS-issued import licence
Apply for and obtain an AVS-issued import licence from APHC after accreditation has been given.
Either one of the following supporting documents must be submitted during the application.
- A copy of the completed submission form and the veterinary certificate (issued by the submitting veterinarian).
- The declaration form endorsed by the submitting veterinarian.
The import licence will be processed and approved within two working days.
The original completed submission form and veterinary certificate endorsed by the submitting veterinarian (issued when the blood sample is taken) must accompany the shipment during import.
3. Ensure sample and packaging fulfils requirements
The sample should fulfil the following conditions:
- The sample is serum, not whole blood.
- The amount of serum is at least 0.5 ml.
- The serum is stored in a screw-capped, leak-proof plastic tube. This sample tube is then wrapped in an absorbent material (e.g. paper towel or cotton wool) and placed inside another leak-proof, unbreakable bottle, before being placed in the shipping container.
- The sample tube is labelled with the dog’s or cat's name and microchip number.
- The sample is shipped together with a cold frozen gel pack that is not ice.
- The sample is shipped together with the original copies of the import licence, submission form, and veterinary certificate.
- The delivery or shipping can be done at ambient temperature.
- Refrigeration of the sample during shipping is not required.
4. Inform APHC of consignment details
Call our Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC) at (65) 63165188 with the consignment details once the shipment has been sent out.
5. Inform CAPQ or Tuas Checkpoint of sample inspection
a. For samples arriving as cargo
Inform our officers at the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) of the impending arrival of the blood sample after the shipment has been sent out. CAPQ can be reached at (65) 65457523.
Importers are also required to send the blood sample to CAPQ for inspection before sending the sample to APHC.
b. For hand-carried samples travelling by air
Inform our officers at CAPQ of the impending arrival of the blood sample at least one day before your sample’s arrival.
Upon arrival in Singapore, surrender the blood sample to the “Lost and Found” counter at the arrival hall. Then, make your way to CAPQ to collect the blood sample and deliver it directly to APHC yourself.
The APHC laboratory can only accept samples during office hours, which are 8 am – 5 pm on Mondays to Fridays.
c. For hand-carried samples travelling by land (entry at Tuas Checkpoint only)
Inform our officers at Tuas Checkpoint of the impending arrival of the blood sample at least one day before your arrival. The Tuas Checkpoint officers can be reached at (65) 68654758.
Upon arrival in Singapore, go to the cargo clearance lane and proceed to our office for inspection. Then, deliver the blood sample directly to APHC yourself.
Please note that our office at Tuas Checkpoint is only open from 8 am to 1 pm.
If you are delivering the sample personally, you can pay the laboratory fee upon submission of the blood sample if you do not have a GIRO account with us.
The test result will be faxed and mailed to you or the submitting veterinarian a week after the receipt of the blood samples.
Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC)
Address
Animal and Plant Health Centre
6 Perahu Road (off Lim Chu Kang Road)
Singapore 718827
Contact
Tel: (65) 63165188
Fax: (65) 63161090
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ)
| Address | Operating hours |
|
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station Gate C7, Airport Cargo Road Singapore 918104 |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 0800H-2230H (no change) Pet transfer hours (from CAPQ to AQC): Mondays – Saturdays: 10.30 am – 11 am
Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (nparks.gov.sg) Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (nparks.gov.sg) |
| 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. |
Tuas Checkpoint
| Address | Operating hours |
| Tuas Operations Command 501 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim (Block A4) Singapore 639937 |
Mondays – Saturdays: Tuas Checkpoint (nparks.gov.sg) |
| Contact | |
| Tel: (65) 68654758 Fax: (65) 68654759 |
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