Importing small mammals
How to import a small mammal (e.g. rabbits, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and chinchillas)
Last updated 15 November 2025
Small mammals such as rabbits, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and chinchillas can be kept as pets in Singapore.
You can bring in small mammals from any country as long as your consignments fulfil our import requirements. Our veterinary conditions for import of small mammals contains more details.
Below are the steps to follow if you want to import small mammals.
1. Ensure the animals fulfil our veterinary conditions for import.
Ensure that the small mammals entering Singapore fulfil the veterinary conditions for import.
Veterinary conditions for import include having the animals treated for parasites and confirming that the animals show no signs of certain diseases. As some conditions need to be fulfilled within specific time frames, read the conditions carefully before you begin the application process.
Importing small mammals as pets from an overseas breeder or farm
Please note that pet owners must have kept their small mammals as pets continuously since birth, or for six months immediately before importing to Singapore.
Pet owners may at times wish to import directly from an overseas breeder or farm. Personal importers of small mammals importing directly from breeders and farms would need to comply with the following requirements:
The veterinary health certificate that accompanies the animals should comply with the conditions for “commercial consignments” instead of “personal pets”.
The animals shall be subjected to 2 weeks of post-arrival quarantine at an NParks/AVS approved premises.
The importer of the small mammals must submit a signed and dated Letter of Declaration at the point of import licence application, declaring that the animals are to be imported as personal pets and are not for sale or commercial purposes.
The requirement (1) above means that personal imports of small mammals directly from breeders and farms would need to be from AVS approved breeding facilities. As application for approval of breeding facilities may only be made by a licensed pet shop or pet farm, personal importers may wish to appoint a licensed pet shop or pet form to apply for approval of the breeding facility. The import of small mammals as personal pets from unapproved breeding facilities will not be allowed.
2. At least 90 days before arrival, apply for an import licence and a Singapore Customs permit.
AVS-issued import licence
Apply for and obtain an import licence to bring small mammals into Singapore via GoBusiness Licensing Portal. The import licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
Please prepare proof of ownership and attach it to your import licence application. This applies to you only if you have owned your small mammal for more than six months.
Licence cost and validity
Type of licence | Cost and validity |
Licence to Import/Export/Transship Non-Food 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. |
Singapore Customs permit
A Singapore Customs permit is needed for clearance at border checkpoints if you are bringing small mammals into Singapore. You can apply for this permit via TradeNet.
For enquiries on the permit, please contact Singapore Customs at (65) 63552000 or customs_documentation@customs.gov.sg
3. Within 7 days of export, obtain a veterinary health certificate.
Each incoming consignment of small mammals must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate signed by a government veterinary authority or a registered veterinarian from the exporting country.
Your pet must be treated for external parasites not less than 4 days and not more than 14 days prior to export.
4. At least 5 days before arrival, book an appointment for border control inspection for your small mammal.
Book an inspection for your small mammal via this link five days before the animal’s arrival, or earlier. Bringing your pet 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.
Small mammals 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.
Small mammals entering Singapore by land are inspected at Tuas Checkpoint. The operating hours can be found here.
5. Undergo inspection and quarantine upon arrival in Singapore.
Small mammals will undergo veterinary inspection upon arrival in Singapore.
The animals shall be subject to 2 weeks quarantine at an NParks/AVS approved premises.