Relocating a pet from India to Singapore follows a clear path once you understand what Singapore asks for. Plan for approximately 20-28 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from India to Singapore
typically takes around 20-28 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The India to Singapore import process
01
First step. Must be implanted before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. Allow at least 28 days before titre test blood draw.
Rabies vaccination from a registered veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Complete before travel. Must be current on arrival.
At least 28 days after rabies vaccination. Result must show minimum 0.5 IU/ml.
Rabies titre test blood draw at an AVS-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian and an AVS-approved laboratory
05
At least 30 days before arrival in Singapore. Apply early.
Apply for AVS NParks import licence
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
06
4-6 weeks before travel. Processing times vary by state office.
Apply for AQCS NOC for export from India
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
07
6-8 weeks before travel. Confirm routing to Singapore Changi (SIN).
Book cargo space with Singapore Airlines or other carrier
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
08
At least 4 weeks before travel.
Source IATA-compliant travel crate and acclimatise your pet
Responsible: You
09
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain health certificate from government-authorised vet in AVS-approved format
Responsible: Government-authorised veterinarian
10
3-4 hours before departure.
Travel day: cargo check-in at Indian departure airport
Responsible: You and the airline cargo desk
11
Immediately on arrival at Singapore Changi. Mandatory.
30-day quarantine at Singapore Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC)
Responsible: AVS NParks / AQC
Requirements
Singapore entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 microchip. Must be implanted before vaccination for the vaccination to count.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Blood draw for titre test must be at least 28 days after rabies vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. India is a Schedule III country for Singapore AVS. Rabies antibody titre test required: minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw must be at least 28 days after rabies vaccination. Test result valid for 90 days to 12 months before Singapore entry. Source: AVS NParks, avs.nparks.gov.sg.
Quarantine
Mandatory. 30 days at the Singapore Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC). All Schedule III arrivals undergo 30-day quarantine. Quarantine fees are owner-paid.
Import permit
Required. Apply to AVS NParks at least 30 days before arrival. Permit specifies all conditions for import.
Health certificate
Required. Issued by a government-authorised vet in India in AVS-approved format, issued within 10 days of travel.
Leaving India
Export requirements
Export permit
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS), India. Required for export of pets. Apply through the relevant AQCS office in your state.
Health certificate
Health certificate issued by a government-authorised veterinarian in India. Endorsed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) or state animal husbandry authority. Must comply with AVS NParks Singapore import format requirements.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Singapore AVS import licence application fee: SGD 30-60 at time of publication
30-day quarantine at AQC Singapore: approximately SGD 1,400-2,500 per pet depending on size (verify current rates at avs.nparks.gov.sg)
Airline cargo fees from India to Singapore: typically INR 20,000-60,000 depending on crate size, weight, and city pair
IATA-compliant travel crate: INR 5,000-20,000 depending on size
Titre test laboratory fee: INR 3,000-8,000 at an AVS-approved laboratory
Government-authorised vet fees for health certificate and AQCS NOC: INR 2,000-6,000
AQCS NOC processing fee: varies by state; typically INR 500-2,000
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended): INR 15,000-50,000 for India-Singapore coordination
Critical points
India is Schedule III for Singapore. 30-day quarantine is mandatory and cannot be reduced or waived, regardless of health status or documentation.
The titre test blood draw must be at least 28 days after the rabies vaccination. Test results are valid for 90 days to 12 months before Singapore entry. Time these carefully or the test will expire.
All pets arriving from India are vaccinated against rabies again on arrival at AQC Singapore, as required for Schedule III countries.
The AQCS NOC is required in addition to the Indian health certificate. Both must be in hand before travel.
Singapore has a strict breed ban. Bull Terriers, Pit Bulls, Neapolitan Mastiffs, and other specified breeds cannot be imported. Check the full list on avs.nparks.gov.sg before beginning any process.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Singapore Airlines
Operates from major Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru) to Singapore Changi (SIN). Small pets may be accepted in cabin on some routes; cargo available for larger pets. Check current cabin pet policy for India origin routes as it varies by aircraft type and sector.
Cabin and Cargo
Air India
Cargo service from Indian cities to Singapore. Pets travel as manifest cargo. Check current Air India Cargo pet acceptance policy and seasonal restrictions before booking.
Cargo Only
IndiGo
IndiGo does not operate international pet transport on scheduled routes. Check directly with IndiGo for the latest policy before assuming availability.
Cargo Only
Scoot
Scoot is a budget carrier operating from Indian cities to Singapore. Pet cargo policy is limited; confirm directly with Scoot before booking as availability is not guaranteed on all routes.
Cargo Only
Vistara
Cargo service on some India-Singapore routes. Check Vistara Cargo for current pet acceptance and routing options.
Cargo Only
Singapore import rules, explained
Singapore runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
India is classified as a Schedule III country by Singapore AVS NParks. All cats and dogs from Schedule III countries must complete 30 days at the Singapore Animal Quarantine Centre (AQC) on arrival. This is set by Singapore’s biosecurity regulations and cannot be reduced. Source: AVS NParks, avs.nparks.gov.sg.
A rabies antibody titre test showing a minimum result of 0.5 IU/ml is required. The blood draw must be taken at least 28 days after the rabies vaccination. The test result is valid for between 90 days and 12 months before Singapore entry. If the test fails the minimum threshold, your pet must be revaccinated and retested.
Allow 20 to 28 weeks from starting preparations to your travel date. The titre test waiting period, AVS licence processing, and AQCS NOC are the main time drivers. Starting the microchip and vaccination process as early as possible is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Singapore Airlines is the most established option for this route, offering cargo and potentially cabin services from multiple Indian cities to Singapore Changi. Air India and Vistara also offer cargo options. Confirm current pet acceptance with any carrier before booking, as policies change.
Singapore is sometimes used as an intermediate stop for pets moving from India to Australia, but factor in the 30-day quarantine in Singapore when planning. Australia has its own separate import requirements. The Singapore quarantine adds significantly to the total timeline, so assess whether a direct India-Australia routing may be faster depending on your circumstances.
Airline guides
Singapore Airlines
Air India
IndiGo
Scoot
Vistara
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.