Importing samples for diagnostic testing

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: 

1. Download and complete the relevant form.

2. Prepare the following documents for submission: 

   • The completed application form. 

   • A copy of the veterinarian’s qualification. 

   • The veterinarian’s licence to practise in his/her country. 

3. Submit the above documents to us via avs.gov.sg/feedback. 

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. 

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. 

Call our Animal and Plant Health Centre (APHC) at (65) 63165188 with the consignment details once the shipment has been sent out. 

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. 

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 08:00AM to 05:00PM on Mondays to Fridays.  

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 08:00AM to 01:00PM. 

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.