Singapore is one of the most regulated — and most expensive — pet import destinations in the world. The process is governed by the Animals and Birds Act and administered by AVS/NParks, requiring a mandatory 30-day quarantine at AQC Sembawang, RNATT rabies neutralising antibody testing, a Dog Licence (issued via PALS) for all dogs, and from April 2026, all airport clearance must be handled by an AVS-recognised agent. This guide breaks down every cost category in full so you can plan your budget with no surprises.
Total Cost Summary: What to Expect
Before the itemised breakdown, here is what Daisy’s 2026 quotes for Singapore came to. Prices are per pet, in USD; SGD amounts further down are fixed official fees.
| Pet and Travel Method | Price in 2026 Quotes (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cat, flying with you | about USD 2,450 + AQC quarantine fee | The 30-day AQC fee (about USD 640–1,040, see Category 3) is paid directly to AVS. Airline pet fee extra. |
| Dog, flying with you | about USD 5,150 | Includes 30 days at AQC and the one-time licence for a sterilised dog. Airline pet fee extra. |
| Dog, manifest cargo (crate 68 × 47 × 47 cm) | USD 6,000 – 6,600 | Includes freight, 30 days at AQC, the crate, and transfer from Changi to AQC. Larger dogs are quoted case by case. |
Daisy’s quotes cover the Vietnam-side documents, the titer test, the import licence, the AQC booking, and the Changi-side agent, clearance and handling. Not included: the airline’s pet fee when your pet flies with you, vet care during quarantine, and annual licence renewals for dogs that are not sterilised. To understand exactly how these costs apply in practice, see the full cost breakdown in Lloyd’s real case — a large-breed Golden Retriever relocation from Hanoi.
Category 1: Veterinary & Medical Preparation in Vietnam
All pets must complete a specific medical protocol before departure. These costs are incurred at licensed veterinary clinics in Vietnam.
| Item | Approx. Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Export documentation package (pet passport, health cert, vet cert, export permit, official quarantine inspection) | USD 200 | Fixed rate per pet; covers all Vietnam-side export paperwork |
| Microchip implantation (ISO 11784/11785) | USD 25 | Mandatory; must be done before rabies vaccination for RNATT to be valid |
| Internal parasite treatment certificate | USD 20 – 40 | Required documentation of deworming / anti-parasite treatment |
| RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) — total cost | USD 550 – 750 | Mandatory for Singapore; includes the blood draw at an accredited clinic, testing at an approved overseas laboratory, and cold-chain international shipping of the sample |
| Daisy Pet service fee | USD 300 – 400 | Vietnam-side coordination and documentation management |
| Documentation fee | USD 50 | Document handling and processing |
Subtotal Category 1: approximately USD 1,150 – 1,470 (fixed contract exchange rate: 26,290 VND/USD)
Category 2: Singapore Government Licensing Fees
These are fixed fees paid to Singapore government agencies. Most are paid in SGD and subject to 9% GST where applicable.
| Item | Fee (SGD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import Licence (via GoBusiness) | SGD 50 (urgent: SGD 100) | Per application; non-refundable; requires confirmed AQC booking reference |
| Cat Licence — sterilised (via PALS) | FREE (lifetime) | No fee for sterilised cats; registration via PALS is still required |
| Dog Licence — sterilised, one-time (via PALS) | SGD 35 | Issued under Animals and Birds Act Chapter 7; permanent (no renewal required) |
| Dog Licence — non-sterilised annual | SGD 90 / year | Significantly higher; sterilisation strongly incentivised by fee structure |
| Specified Dog Banker’s Guarantee (if applicable) | SGD 2,000 – 5,000 | Part 1 Specified Breeds: SGD 5,000; Part 2 (crossbreeds): SGD 2,000. Refundable deposit held by AVS |
| GST (9%) on applicable government fees | Variable | Applied to Import Permit and PALS Dog Licence fees |
Dogs classified as Specified Breeds under the Animals and Birds (Dogs) Rules must also complete an approved obedience training programme before the Dog Licence is issued. See the Singapore restricted dog breeds guide for the full list of Specified Breeds and their conditions.
Category 3: AQC Quarantine — The Largest Single Cost
Every dog and cat imported into Singapore must complete a mandatory 30-day quarantine at AQC Sembawang — Singapore’s only authorised animal quarantine facility. AVS revised the official fee schedule upward effective 1 December 2026.
| Item | Rate (SGD) | 30-Day Total (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Quarantine deposit (dogs from Vietnam, air-conditioned kennel) | ~SGD 425 | Refundable upon checkout; paid upfront at booking |
| Fan-fitted quarantine room — before 1 Dec 2026 (per day) | SGD 26 / day | SGD 780 |
| Air-conditioned quarantine room — before 1 Dec 2026 (per day) | SGD 35 / day | SGD 1,050 |
| Fan-fitted quarantine room — from 1 Dec 2026 (per day) | SGD 36 / day | SGD 1,080 |
| Air-conditioned quarantine room — from 1 Dec 2026 (per day) | SGD 44 / day | SGD 1,320 |
| Airport-to-AQC transfer (CAPQ to Sembawang) | SGD 75 | One-time, per pet |
Air-conditioned rooms are strongly recommended for long-haired breeds (Persian, Maine Coon, Chow Chow, Samoyed) and brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, British Shorthair) due to Singapore’s equatorial heat and humidity. These rooms have significantly fewer slots and routinely sell out during peak season (August–December).
Subtotal Category 3 — before 1 Dec 2026 (fan room): SGD 855 (SGD 780 + SGD 75 transfer, approximately USD 640)
Subtotal Category 3 — before 1 Dec 2026 (AC room): SGD 1,125 (SGD 1,050 + SGD 75 transfer, approximately USD 840)
Subtotal Category 3 — from 1 Dec 2026 (fan room): SGD 1,155 (SGD 1,080 + SGD 75 transfer, approximately USD 860)
Subtotal Category 3 — from 1 Dec 2026 (AC room): SGD 1,395 (SGD 1,320 + SGD 75 transfer, approximately USD 1,040)
Note: AQC quarantine slot booking must be completed months in advance through QMS, the AVS online booking system. Owners can book the slot themselves; no agent account is required. Read the full AQC slot booking guide for strategy and timeline.
Category 4: Airfreight
Airfreight is calculated based on the combined weight of the pet, IATA-compliant crate, food, and water. Airlines use either actual weight or volumetric weight — whichever is higher. The IATA crate itself adds 3–10 kg to the total. Pets do not fly in the cabin on Vietnam–Singapore routes. Vietnam Airlines accepts them as checked baggage on the owner’s flight; otherwise they travel as manifest cargo, priced as below.
| Crate | Freight in 2026 Quotes (USD) | Typical For |
|---|---|---|
| 68 × 47 × 47 cm (about 25 kg chargeable) | USD 1,200 on Vietnam Airlines | Cats, small dogs |
| Larger crates | Quoted per booking | Medium and large dogs |
Airfreight rates fluctuate with fuel surcharges and seasonal demand. Each cargo shipment also carries about USD 520 for the air waybill, export customs declaration and handling. Daisy Pet obtains confirmed cargo rates from the airline at the time of booking.
Category 5: AVS-Recognised Agent Fee (Mandatory from April 2026)
From April 2026, AVS requires all CAPQ Changi border clearance — the inspection point through which every imported pet must pass upon arrival in Singapore — to be conducted by an officially AVS-recognised agent. This is no longer optional. The agent also manages QMS slot booking, Import Permit applications, PALS/Dog Licence coordination, and airline cargo booking on the owner’s behalf.
| Item | Approx. Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AVS-recognised agent service (full package) | USD 900 – 1,200 | Covers documentation coordination, AQC slot booking, CAPQ clearance at Changi; price varies by agent and pet complexity. Daisy Pet’s service and documentation fees (USD 300–400 + USD 50) are included in Category 1 as Vietnam-side costs. |
Attempting to manage the process without an AVS-recognised agent is no longer legally viable for CAPQ clearance. Daisy Pet Transport works with an AVS-recognised partner agent in Singapore, who handles CAPQ clearance on arrival.
One-Time Equipment Cost: IATA-Compliant Crate
Every pet must travel in an IATA-compliant crate meeting specific dimension and ventilation requirements. If you do not already own a compliant crate, this is a one-time purchase — not a recurring cost.
| Crate Size | Approx. Cost (USD) | Typical Pet Size |
|---|---|---|
| IATA S / 100 series | USD 40 – 80 | Cats, toy breeds under 5 kg |
| IATA M / 200 series | USD 70 – 130 | Small dogs, medium cats |
| IATA L / 300–400 series | USD 130 – 250 | Labrador, Golden Retriever |
| IATA XL / 500–700 series | USD 250 – 500+ | German Shepherd, large breeds |
Daisy Pet sources IATA-compliant crates on behalf of clients and can advise on the correct size based on your pet’s measurements (length + standing height). Read our airline and crate requirements guide for exact IATA dimension rules.
Why Singapore Costs More Than Other Destinations
Singapore’s costs are substantially higher than many other regional destinations (Thailand, Malaysia, Japan) for three structural reasons. First, the mandatory 30-day quarantine at a single licensed facility (AQC Sembawang) is a fixed cost floor that cannot be reduced — unlike countries with home quarantine options or shorter periods. Second, the RNATT test must be processed at an approved laboratory overseas, which requires cold-chain international shipping and a processing fee that does not exist for simpler titre test formats. Third, the April 2026 AVS regulatory change makes a licensed agent mandatory for CAPQ clearance, adding an agent fee that was previously optional for self-managing owners.
Despite the cost, Singapore’s regulatory framework delivers a meaningful benefit: AQC Sembawang is a purpose-built, climate-controlled facility with veterinary oversight. The 30-day quarantine period is a genuine health protection measure — not a bureaucratic formality — and the low rate of infectious disease transmission in Singapore’s pet population reflects the rigour of the system.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pet Relocation Cost to Singapore
What is the cheapest possible cost to bring a pet to Singapore from Vietnam?
For a cat flying with its owner, the lowest total in Daisy’s 2026 quotes is about USD 3,100–3,500 plus the airline’s pet fee: about USD 2,450 in Daisy’s fees, plus 30 days at AQC paid directly to AVS (about USD 640–1,040). This assumes no Specified Breed surcharges, no banker’s guarantee, and a sterilised pet qualifying for the one-time SGD 35 Dog Licence (or no Dog Licence if a cat).
Does Singapore charge GST on pet import fees?
Yes. Singapore’s 9% GST applies to fees charged by AVS for the Import Permit and PALS Dog Licence. GST also applies to AQC quarantine fees invoiced by AVS. Agent fees charged by private companies are also subject to GST if the agent is GST-registered.
How much does a Dog Licence cost in Singapore?
The Dog Licence is issued via the PALS portal (pals.avs.gov.sg) under the Animals and Birds Act Chapter 7. Fees as of 2026: SGD 35 one-time lifetime payment for sterilised dogs; SGD 90/year for non-sterilised dogs. Cats that are sterilised are registered for FREE (lifetime). Specified Breed dogs must additionally complete an approved training programme and deposit a banker’s guarantee of SGD 2,000–5,000 with AVS. For the step-by-step registration process, see our PALS registration guide.
Are AQC fees the same for cats and dogs?
Yes. AQC daily rates apply equally to cats and dogs. Before 1 December 2026: SGD 26/day (fan) or SGD 35/day (air-conditioned). From 1 December 2026: SGD 36/day (fan) or SGD 44/day (air-conditioned). The 30-day quarantine period is the same for both species when imported from Vietnam (Schedule III country under Singapore’s AVS import framework).
Related: Pet Shipping from Vietnam to Singapore: 2026 Complete Guide — full overview covering AVS regulations, preparation timeline, quarantine requirements, and cost breakdown.
Last updated 18 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
