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Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)

Transhipping dogs and cats

How to tranship a dog or cat (including assistance dogs)

Last updated 4 February 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.

A transhipment licence is needed for dogs and cats transiting Singapore. 

Applying for a transhipment licence

Inform our relevant border control office of your dog’s or cat’s arrival date and time ahead of the animal’s arrival in Singapore. 

You are required to prepare one of the following documents for your transhipment licence application: 

  •  A valid veterinary health certificate endorsed by the official government veterinarian of the exporting country, or 

  •  A valid rabies vaccination record of your dog and cat, or 

  • An import permit issued by the importing country. 

Log in to GoBusiness Licensing Portal (opens in new tab) to upload the prepared document(s) and locate the specific transhipment licensing service.

Licence cost and validity

Type of licence  

  Cost and validity 

Licence to Import/Export/Tranship Non-Food Animals, Birds, Eggs, and Biologics (personal) (opens in new tab) 

• S$50 for normal service. Licence issuance will take place two working days after submission of all completed documents. 
• S$100 for express service. Licence issuance will take place one working day after submission of all completed documents. 

 
This licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. 

What happens during transhipment 

If your dog or cat is transiting/transhipping Singapore via air, your dog or cat will be kept in the airline's animal holding area prior to loading on the connecting flight. Your pet may be subject to inspection by AVS during transshipment. You will be informed if an inspection is required. 

If your dog or cat is transiting/transhipping through Singapore from Malaysia via land and departing Singapore via air, your pet will need to be inspected at Tuas Checkpoint. You will then have to engage an AVS’ designated pet transporter for the transport of your pet(s) from Tuas Checkpoint to Changi Animal Quarantine Station (CAPQ). 

Please contact us for more details regarding the approved pet transporters. 

Please ensure that your pet arrives at Tuas Checkpoint between 08:00AM to 12:00PM for inspection. We recommend that animals arrive between 08:00AM to 10:00AM due to traffic conditions. While travelling from Malaysia to Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint, you are required to go through the Lorry / Heavy Vehicle Channel to reach the AVS office which is located at the checkpoint’s A4 cargo arrival bay. All animals must be transported in an IATA approved crate or carrier. 

 If the departing flight is in the later part of the day, the pet(s) may be accommodated at our Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) with accommodation and other relevant fees chargeable.