The rabies titre test is the most time-sensitive and most frequently mishandled part of importing a pet to Singapore from a Schedule II or Schedule III country. Get the sequence wrong and the 90-day clock either does not start or resets. Get the lab wrong and the result is not accepted.
This guide covers the full process from the blood draw to presenting the result at CAPQ — including what to do if the result comes back below the required threshold.
All requirements on this page are sourced from official AVS/NParks information at avs.nparks.gov.sg. Verify current lab list and requirements before proceeding.
Who Needs a Titre Test
The titre test is required for all Schedule II and Schedule III imports. It is not required for Schedule I countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland).
Schedule II countries include the USA, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and most of Western Europe. Schedule III covers all other countries not listed under Schedule I or II — including India, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, the UAE, and South Africa.
What the Test Measures
The full name of the test is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN) test or an equivalent WOAH-approved rabies serology test. It measures the level of rabies-neutralising antibodies in your pet's blood.
Singapore requires a result of ≥0.5 IU/mL. This is the internationally recognised threshold recommended by the World Health Organization.
A result below 0.5 IU/mL is considered inadequate. The 90-day wait does not apply to a failed result — instead, you restart the vaccination and blood draw process.
The Mandatory Sequence
The steps must follow this exact order. Taking them out of order invalidates the result.
| Step | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microchip implanted | The chip number must appear on every subsequent document |
| 2 | Microchip confirmed readable | Prevents invalidation if chip migrates or fails |
| 3 | Rabies vaccination administered | Chip number recorded on vaccination certificate |
| 4 | Wait minimum 28 days | Immune system needs time to respond before blood draw |
| 5 | Blood draw for titre test | At minimum 28 days post-vaccination |
| 6 | Blood sent to WOAH-approved lab | Only approved labs are accepted by Singapore |
| 7 | Titre result received | Must be ≥0.5 IU/mL |
| 8 | 90-day wait from blood draw date | Starts on the draw date, not the result date |
| 9 | Pet can travel after 90-day wait is complete | Blood sample valid within 12 months of draw |
The 90-day clock starts on the date blood is drawn — not the date you receive the result.
Choosing an Approved Laboratory
Singapore maintains a list of WOAH-approved laboratories accepted for rabies titre testing. This list is available on the AVS website at avs.nparks.gov.sg.
Important: Not every veterinary laboratory in your country is on the AVS approved list. Using a non-approved lab means the result is rejected, and you must repeat the entire blood draw process.
Before submitting the blood sample:
- Download the current approved lab list from AVS
- Confirm your chosen lab is on the list
- Confirm with your vet how to arrange sample submission (most labs accept shipped refrigerated blood samples)
Labs that frequently appear on the AVS list for major origin countries include:
- USA: Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSU-VDL)
- Canada: Prairie Diagnostic Services (PDS), University of Saskatchewan
- UK: APHA Weybridge (Animal and Plant Health Agency)
- Hong Kong: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Laboratory
- Japan: Prefectural government veterinary labs
Verify the current list before proceeding — the approved lab list changes over time.
What the Result Must Show
When you receive your titre test result, check it includes all of the following:
- Your pet's microchip number
- Date blood was drawn (not the date tested or reported)
- The laboratory's name, accreditation, and contact details
- The titre level expressed in IU/mL
- The laboratory director's signature
The result must clearly show the titre level is ≥0.5 IU/mL. Some labs report in different units — if you are uncertain, ask your vet to confirm the IU/mL conversion.
Keep the original result. Your agent presents this original document at CAPQ. A scan or photocopy is typically not accepted.
The 90-Day Wait: How to Count It
The 90-day wait starts on the date blood was drawn, not:
- The date you sent the sample
- The date the lab processed the sample
- The date you received the result
Example: Blood drawn on 1 January. The 90-day wait expires on 1 April. Your pet can travel on or after 2 April.
The result is valid for 12 months from the blood draw date. If you have not travelled within 12 months of the draw, a new titre test is required.
What Happens If the Result Is Below 0.5 IU/mL
A result below the threshold means the immune response was inadequate. This happens more often in older pets, pets with compromised immune systems, or pets vaccinated too recently before the blood draw.
What to do:
- Consult your vet. A booster vaccination is typically required.
- Re-vaccinate with an approved rabies vaccine.
- Wait at least 28 days after the booster.
- Draw blood again and submit to the approved lab.
- The 90-day wait restarts from the new blood draw date.
The time cost: A failed result adds a minimum of 28 days (post-booster wait) plus 90 days (new 90-day wait) — roughly 4 additional months to your timeline.
This is why starting early is critical. A failed first result with buffer time is manageable. A failed result with a fixed move date is a serious problem.
Key Mistakes to Avoid
Using a lab not on the AVS approved list. The result will be rejected at CAPQ. The only fix is to redo the blood draw.
Drawing blood before 28 days post-vaccination. If the draw happens too early, the immune response may not have reached the required level even if technically capable of doing so. Wait the full 28 days.
Confusing the 90-day wait start date. The wait starts on the blood draw date. Not the vaccination date. Not the date you receive the result. Check the calendar carefully.
Waiting longer than 12 months. If your move is delayed and the blood draw date was more than 12 months ago, the titre test is no longer valid. A new one must be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog was vaccinated 6 months ago. Can I just draw blood now without re-vaccinating? Only if the existing vaccination record shows the microchip number and was given after the microchip was implanted. If those conditions are met, the blood draw can happen without re-vaccination. Confirm with your vet and CAPQ agent before proceeding.
How long does a WOAH-approved lab take to return results? Typically 1–4 weeks depending on the lab and the volume of samples at the time. Plan accordingly when counting your 90-day window.
Can the blood sample be stored if travel is delayed? Blood samples have a short shelf life and cannot be stored and retested later. The sample is tested, a result is issued, and that result is what stands. The 12-month validity window is for the result, not the sample.
Do I need a new titre test if I re-import my pet to Singapore after a period abroad? If the previous titre test result is still within the 12-month window and your pet has not been to a Schedule III country, it may still be valid for re-entry. Contact your CAPQ agent to confirm based on your specific travel history.
Need help managing the titre test timeline for your Singapore pet import? Contact our team for support from an AVS-recognised CAPQ agent.
Source: Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). Verify current approved laboratory list before submitting blood samples.