A move from Japan to Singapore with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Give yourself close to 36-44 weeks, as several stages run on fixed …
Health certificateAQS-endorsed health certificate in AVS …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Japan to Singapore
typically takes around 36-44 weeks.
Expect 30 days of quarantine on arrival.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Do this first. Determines your entire timeline.
Verify current AVS Category for Japan at nparks.gov.sg/avs
Responsible: You or agent
2
Week 0-6
Microchip and vaccination confirmed (30+ days before titre test blood draw)
Responsible: Japanese vet
3
Week 6+ (30+ days post-vaccination)
FAVN titre test at AVS-approved laboratory
Responsible: Japanese vet + approved lab
4
Weeks 6-32
6-month wait from blood draw
Responsible: N/A
5
Start during waiting period.
Apply for AVS import permit (30+ days)
Responsible: You or agent
6
As early as possible.
Pre-book SQS 30-day quarantine slot
Responsible: You or agent
7
Week 30+
Book ANA or Singapore Airlines Cargo NRT-SIN
Responsible: You or agent
8
Within 10 days of travel AND 7 days before SIN arrival.
AQS-endorsed health certificate in AVS format
Responsible: AQS Japan
9
Pre-paid.
Arrive Singapore. 30-day quarantine at SQS.
Responsible: AVS SQS
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required for Category C countries. At least 30 days before titre test and within 12 months of export.
Rabies titre test
Japan is likely Category C for AVS Singapore. FAVN/ELISA at AVS-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 6-month wait from blood draw. Verify current Japan category at nparks.gov.sg/avs.
Quarantine
30 days mandatory at AVS-approved Singapore Quarantine Station (SQS). Pre-booking required. Owner pays.
Import permit
Required. AVS import permit. Apply 30+ days before arrival.
Health certificate
AQS-endorsed health certificate in AVS format. Dual window: within 10 days of travel AND within 7 days of Singapore arrival.
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pets. AQS issues the export health certificate.
Health certificate
AQS-issued health certificate in AVS format. Issued within 10 days of travel AND within 7 days of Singapore arrival per AVS rules.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Japan to Singapore move gets missed.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Direct NRT-SIN. JAL Cargo. Japanese national carrier with AQS export familiarity at Narita. Strong option for Japan departures.
Cargo Only
ANA
Direct NRT/HND-SIN. ANA Cargo. AQS-experienced at Tokyo. Deep familiarity with Japan export documentation.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Direct SIN-NRT reverse. Singapore Airlines Cargo. AVS import familiarity at Changi on arrival.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong HKG to SIN. Longer routing.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to SIN. Summer heat restrictions may apply.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
ANA or Singapore Airlines Cargo fees NRT-SIN
IATA-compliant crate
FAVN titre test
AVS import permit
30-day SQS quarantine fees (owner pays)
AQS health certificate
Agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points
Japan likely Category C for AVS: titre test + 6-month wait + 30-day quarantine all apply.
Health certificate dual window is tight: within 10 days of travel AND within 7 days of Singapore arrival.
Pre-book SQS quarantine early. Limited spaces.
Verify Japan's current AVS category at nparks.gov.sg/avs.
What Singapore requires
Entry to Singapore is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow 36-44 weeks if Japan is Category C for AVS. The 6-month wait after the titre test blood draw is the main constraint. The AVS import permit, SQS quarantine pre-booking, and AQS health certificate all run alongside this.
Likely yes, if Japan is Category C for AVS. Verify at nparks.gov.sg/avs. Category C requires 30 days quarantine at an SQS-approved facility, paid by the owner. Pre-booking is mandatory.
AVS requires the health certificate to be issued within 7 days of Singapore arrival. Japan AQS issues it within 10 days of travel from Japan. With a 7-hour NRT-SIN flight, both windows are typically met if the AQS appointment is planned in the 7 days before departure.
ANA Cargo, JAL Cargo, and Singapore Airlines Cargo all operate direct NRT-SIN services. ANA and JAL have strong AQS export familiarity at Tokyo; Singapore Airlines has deep AVS Changi import expertise.
Not required, but strongly recommended. Japan-to-Singapore involves AQS export documentation, dual-window health certificates, AVS import permits, and SQS quarantine booking running simultaneously. An agent with specific experience on this corridor manages all tracks and prevents costly errors.
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