Exporting dogs and cats
How to export a dog or cat
Last updated on 21 September 2026
Use our live chat service (click the Ask AVS button on the bottom right) for real-time responses to questions related to imports, exports and permits of pets.
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.
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. Apply for and obtain an export licence before export. An export licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Apply for and obtain an export licence from us via GoBusiness Licensing Portal (opens in new tab) within 90 days of leaving Singapore. As the export licence is only valid for 90 days, it is important that you apply for it at the right time.
Please take note to cancel your dog licence (if applicable) in PALS (opens in new tab) once your dog is exported out of Singapore.
Licence cost and validity
Type of licence | Cost and validity |
• S$50 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days 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.
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.
3a. Apply for 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:
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.
Make an online application via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (opens in new tab). Note your application number as it is needed during the submission of the completed health certificate template and subsequent collection of the endorsed certificate.
Download and complete this checklist (opens in new tab) for Veterinary Certificate (VC) Application for Export of Dogs & Cats from Singapore to ensure that you submit all necessary documents. 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
Please attach the checklist to your hardcopy supporting documents and deposit the completed health certificate template at the AVS drop-off box at the following address:
Raffles Building Level 1 (next to elevator), Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
Please refer to the location (opens in new tab) of the AVS drop-off box.
The drop-off box is accessible 24 hours, including weekends.
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. Express service is not available.
3b. Apply for issuance of QR verifiable veterinary health certificate.
If your destination country does not have a specific veterinary health certificate template, we are also able to convert a veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed private veterinarian into a QR verifiable veterinary health certificate.
The QR verifiable veterinary health certificate is only valid for seven days from its date of issue.
How to apply
Bring your dog or cat to a licensed private veterinarian for an examination, and to obtain a veterinary health certificate.
Apply for our QR verifiable veterinary health certificate via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (opens in new tab), supported by the following documents:
Signed veterinary health certificate
Vaccination records and laboratory test results (if applicable)
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 (see specimen (opens in new tab)), which allows for the certificate/licence to be authenticated by relevant foreign Competent Authorities officers.
Please note that the QR code may appear in a different position depending on the certificate/licence.
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 eservices - National Parks Board (NParks) (opens in new tab) 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 must be done during the Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station's operating hours.
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
Location of ground handling agents in Singapore
Location of SATS Gateway Pte Ltd | Location of DNATA Singapore |
SATS Terminal 5 | DNATA Outbound Terminal 50 Airport Boulevard, |
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to export my pet from Singapore?
An export licence is required for all pets leaving Singapore. Separately, all exports must comply with the importing country's requirements, including the requirement for a veterinary certificate. Check with the competent authority in your destination country for their import requirements and submit an application at Veterinary Certificate for Non-Food Animals | Licence & Accreditation - GoBusiness (opens in new tab) if required.
How do I apply for a veterinary certificate?
How long does it take to process a veterinary certificate?
Normal service (S$23) takes two working days, and express service (S$46) takes one working day, after submission of all completed documents. Express service is not available for physical endorsement of documents.
Where and when can I drop off or collect documents?
The drop-off box is open 24 hours for submission of documents. Please allow at least 2 working days for the manual endorsement process. Our officers will contact you for the document collection once the application has been approved and documents are ready for collection. The collection address is Level 1 Raffles Building, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569.
Can AVS expedite my manual endorsement request?
Manual endorsement typically requires at least two working days.
My destination country does not have a specific veterinary certificate template — what should I do?
AVS can issue a veterinary health certificate, after the submission of the application for Veterinary Certificate for Non-Food Animals | Licence & Accreditation - GoBusiness (opens in new tab). During the application process, please attach a copy of your private vet's health certificate. After approval, you may print a PDF copy of the AVS-conversion QR verifiable certificate yourself.