New Zealand is classified as Schedule I by Singapore's Animal and Veterinary Service — the same category as Australia, the UK, and Ireland. Schedule I means no rabies titre test, no mandatory quarantine in standard cases, and a shorter preparation timeline than Schedule II or III routes.
The process is simpler than most other import routes, but it is not paperwork-free. You still need an AVS import licence, a veterinary health certificate issued within 7 days of travel, and CAPQ clearance by an AVS-recognised agent from April 2026.
All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current guidelines before proceeding.
What Schedule I Means
Schedule I is Singapore's lowest-risk classification for pet imports. For New Zealand pets:
- No rabies titre test required
- No rabies vaccination required by AVS (though your vet may recommend it for other travel reasons)
- No mandatory quarantine in standard cases
- Shorter overall timeline: 6–8 weeks from start to arrival in Singapore
Home quarantine may still apply if specific triggers are met (see below).
What You Need to Do
| Step | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm microchip (ISO 11784/11785) | Before anything else |
| 2 | Engage AVS-recognised CAPQ agent | 6–8 weeks before arrival |
| 3 | Agent applies for AVS import licence | Via PALS/GoBusiness; S$50 normal (2 working days), S$100 express (1 working day) |
| 4 | Get veterinary health certificate | Within 7 days of departure date |
| 5 | Agent obtains Singapore Customs GST permit | Prior to arrival |
| 6 | Pet arrives at Changi; agent handles CAPQ | Arrival day |
| 7 | Agent transports pet to your Singapore address | After CAPQ clearance |
Minimum timeline: 6–8 weeks.
Microchip Requirements
Your pet's microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784/11785 (15-digit chip). New Zealand uses ISO-standard chips as standard practice, but verify with your vet that your pet's specific chip is compliant before travelling.
The microchip number must match exactly across all documents: the health certificate, import licence, and CAPQ records.
Veterinary Health Certificate
The health certificate must be:
- Issued by a licensed veterinarian in New Zealand
- Valid within 7 days of your pet's departure
Confirm with your New Zealand vet and your Singapore agent whether a New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) government endorsement is required. For Schedule I imports, the endorsement process varies — check the current AVS requirement, as some routes require official government vet sign-off even for Schedule I.
The health certificate validity window of 7 days is short. Schedule the vet appointment and the flight in close sequence. If your flight is delayed significantly, the certificate may expire and need to be reissued.
Home Quarantine: When It Applies
No quarantine is required in standard cases for Schedule I imports. Home quarantine may be triggered if:
- Your pet arrives more than 5 days after you enter Singapore, or
- Your pet has been in your care for less than 6 months
If home quarantine applies, your agent applies for approval at least 4 weeks before your pet arrives. The cost is S$29 per animal per day for smart collar monitoring, paid upfront (S$290 for the full 10-day period).
For most Kiwi expats moving to Singapore who have owned their pets long-term and are arriving with or shortly before their pet, neither trigger typically applies.
CAPQ Clearance from April 2026
From 1 April 2026, all pet imports to Singapore require an AVS-recognised agent to handle CAPQ clearance. You cannot attend CAPQ directly. Your agent:
- Collects your pet from the airline cargo hold at Changi Airfreight Centre
- Presents all documents at CAPQ
- Manages the microchip scan and physical inspection
- Arranges transport from CAPQ to your home
CAPQ operating hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday and Tuesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Wednesday to Friday | 9am to 8pm |
| Saturday, Sunday, public holidays | Closed |
| Lunch break | 1pm to 2pm |
Book your pet's flight to arrive on a weekday and outside the lunch break.
Singapore Customs GST Permit
Your agent handles the Singapore Customs permit required alongside the AVS import licence. GST relief applies if you have owned your pet for at least 6 months. Even if GST-exempt, the permit is mandatory and must be in place before arrival.
Airlines from New Zealand to Singapore
Several airlines operate direct routes between New Zealand and Singapore. Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines both serve the Auckland-Singapore route. Airline pet policies for hold travel vary — not all carriers accept pets on all aircraft types on this route.
Contact your airline's cargo or live animal desk directly before booking to confirm:
- Whether pets are accepted on your specific route and flight
- IATA crate requirements and any airline-specific additions
- Whether brachycephalic breed restrictions apply to your pet
Do not rely on the online booking website for live animal confirmation. Airlines have separate live animal desks.
Timeline Summary
| Week | Action |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | Confirm microchip compliance; engage CAPQ agent |
| Weeks 2–4 | Agent applies for import licence |
| Week 6–7 | Vet health certificate issued (within 7 days of departure) |
| Arrival day | Agent handles CAPQ clearance, transports pet to home |
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog has never had a rabies vaccination. Is that a problem for Singapore import? No. AVS does not require a rabies vaccination for Schedule I imports. However, some airlines and some transit countries may require it. Check with your airline and any transit country's requirements.
Can I bring my pet in the cabin on the flight from New Zealand to Singapore? Most flights between New Zealand and Singapore are long-haul, and most full-service carriers do not permit pets in the cabin on these routes. Contact your airline directly.
My dog has a New Zealand Export Certificate. Is that the health certificate I need? The New Zealand vet health certificate for export to Singapore must meet Singapore's specific requirements, not just MPI's general export format. Confirm the correct format with your CAPQ agent before the vet appointment.
What is the total cost? Costs include the health certificate, import licence, agent fee, and possibly GST. See our Singapore pet import cost guide for a breakdown by category.
Bringing your dog or cat from New Zealand to Singapore? Contact our team for a fixed-price quote from an AVS-recognised agent.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Verify current requirements before proceeding.