Importing assistance dogs

The breeds of dogs not allowed in Singapore are:

• Pit Bull, including: 

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (also known as American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier) 

  • American Staffordshire Terrier 

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier 

  • American Bulldog

  • Crosses of these and other breeds

• Akita 

• Boerboel

• Dogo Argentino

• Fila Brasileiro

• Neapolitan Mastiff

• Tosa

• Perro De Presa Canario

• Crosses of any of the above breeds

Your assistance dog must fulfil veterinary conditions for the import to be eligible as an assistance dog.

Some conditions must be carried out within specific time frames defined by the exporting country, so you should study the conditions well ahead of your dog’s travel period. 

We also specify the requirements your dog must fulfil to be eligible as an assistance dog. These requirements can be found under the “Eligibility of assistance dogs” section.  

Confirm your assistance dog’s eligibility for import by submitting the necessary supporting documents to us for assessment. This must be done before you apply for an import licence. Examples of supporting documents include: 

• Document(s) from a medical practitioner confirming your disability and ongoing dependence on your assistance dog.  

• Confirmation that your assistance dog has received training at a member organisation of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). 

• Document(s) proving that your dog has been assisting you for at least six months. 

Emotional support/service animals (ESA) which do not have the required training by ADI or IGDF will not be eligible as assistance dogs and are required to follow the regular import requirements and procedures. 

For any enquiries or submission of necessary supporting documents to us for assessment, please submit them at https://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback. 

An import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can apply for and obtain an import licence via GoBusiness Licensing Portal.  

 If you are bringing in a mixed breed or cross breed dog, you must include a colour photo of your dog in your licence application. The photo must show the dog’s face and body, so that we can verify that it is not a prohibited breed. 

Exception for frequent travellers 

If you travel frequently with your assistance dog, you can apply for a multiple import/export licence. The multiple import/export licence will be valid from the date of issue until the date your assistance dog’s rabies vaccination expires, or one year from the licence’s date of issue, whichever is earlier. 

For enquiries on application of a multiple import/export licence of an assistance dog, please submit them at https://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback. 

You must obtain a veterinary health certificate confirming that your assistance dog fulfils our veterinary conditions for import, that it is healthy, and it is free from any contagious or infectious disease prior to import. 

Step 1: Download and print the veterinary health certificate template from the veterinary conditions for the importation of assistance dogs.

Step 2: Send pet for external & internal parasite treatments and request treating vet to complete Sections I to III of the veterinary certificate.

Step 3: Request the exporting country’s official government veterinarian to endorse Section IV of the same veterinary certificate.

You are required to obtain a veterinary health certificate if your dog is travelling to other countries before returning to Singapore. However, if your assistance dog is returning to Singapore within seven days of export, and you are unable to obtain a government-endorsed veterinary health certificate, please do the following:  

Book an inspection for your dog via this link five days before the animal’s arrival, or earlier. Bringing your dog or cat for inspection without making an appointment will subject you to an inspection fee of S$133 per hour or part thereof. The AVS import licence, flight details and contact number must be indicated in your booking. 

Dogs entering Singapore by air are inspected at Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ) located at Changi Airfreight Centre. The operating hours can be found here. 

Dogs entering Singapore by land are inspected at Tuas Checkpoint. The operating hours can be found here. 

Your assistance dog will undergo veterinary inspection upon arrival in Singapore. If all the veterinary conditions for import are met, and your dog is clinically healthy on arrival, it will be allowed to enter the country.