SG
US

Pet Transport from Singapore to the United States

4-8
Weeks lead time needed
Start this early minimum
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Low
Route complexity
4
Airlines on this route
Lead time needed
4-8 weeks
Quarantine
See key facts
Route complexity
Low
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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Official rules on this page checked
Step by step

The Singapore to United States import process

01
Before booking flights.
Complete CDC Dog Import Form via CDC portal (dogs only)

Responsible: You

02
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book Singapore Airlines cargo space to US city

Responsible: You or your cargo agent

03
AVS vet exam + AVS endorsement within 10-day window.
Obtain AVS-endorsed USDA-format health certificate within 10 days of US arrival

Responsible: AVS vet + AVS

04
USDA/CBP inspection at US port of entry.
Travel day: cargo desk at Changi 4 hours before departure

Responsible: You + cargo team

Which United States rules depend on a pet coming from Singapore?

The United States sorts countries into 2 groups, and Singapore falls in “Dog rabies-free or low-risk countries”.

Dog has been only in these countries for 6 months before entry: CDC Dog Import Form receipt (valid 6 months), age 6 months, microchip, healthy; any airport, seaport or land border. Official source

These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:

  • Import permit: For dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries, the receipt is valid 6 months unless the dog visits a high-risk country or a different low-risk country in that time. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
    Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
  • Health certificate: No document beyond the CDC Dog Import Form receipt is listed for dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
    Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
  • Health certificate: Not required: CDC does not require a general health certificate for pets (cats, and dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries). Airlines and some states may still ask for one.
    Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026
  • Rabies vaccination: CDC recommends, but for dogs only from rabies-free or low-risk countries does not list as an entry requirement, rabies vaccination. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
    Bringing a Dog into the United States, checked 2 October 2026
  • How your pet may travel: Not required: no federal restriction on mode of travel for dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries; they may arrive by air, sea or land. Cabin, checked baggage or cargo is an airline matter. (Seattle's CDC facility takes cargo-only reservations, and the LAX facilities prefer cargo, for high-risk dogs.) Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
    Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
  • Arrival points and notice: Dogs only in rabies-free or low-risk countries may enter at any airport, seaport or land border. Applies to dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries.
    Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026

One rule for every pet entering the United States decides whether yours can travel at all:

  • Minimum age: Every dog must be at least 6 months old on entry or return to the US.
    Entry Requirements for Dogs from Dog-Rabies Free or Low-Risk Countries, checked 2 October 2026
  • Minimum age: Not listed: cats. CDC's cat section requires only that cats appear healthy on arrival (they may be inspected, examined at the owner's cost if ill, or refused if they show a zoonotic disease); rabies vaccination proof is not required. APHIS states it has no animal health requirements for pet cats (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/cats). Neither sets a minimum age; destination states may.
    Bringing an Animal into the U.S., checked 2 October 2026

The rules that apply to every pet entering the United States, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our United States guide.

What does Singapore require before your pet leaves?

  1. Export permit: An AVS export licence is required for all pets leaving Singapore, applied for via GoBusiness within 90 days of departure; S$50 normal or S$100 express; valid 90 days. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Singapore.
    Exporting dogs and cats, checked 1 October 2026
  2. Export health certificate: A licensed private vet examines the pet and issues the veterinary health certificate; AVS can convert it into a QR verifiable certificate (S$23 normal, S$46 express) or manually endorse the importing country's template. The QR certificate is valid 7 days from issue. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Singapore.
    Exporting dogs and cats, checked 1 October 2026
  3. Export health certificate: Where the destination requires its own template, AVS manually endorses it. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Singapore.
    Exporting dogs and cats, checked 1 October 2026
  4. Other conditions: Not required: an AVS-recognised pet agent is not mandatory for export; AVS states licence applications may be made by the pet owner or through an agent, and the export page names no agent requirement. Applies to personal pets leaving Singapore.
    List of AVS-Recognised Pet Agents, checked 1 October 2026
Costs

What this route typically costs

Singapore Airlines cargo fee SIN to US city (varies by destination and pet size)
AVS vet fee for health certificate
Agent fee (optional)

Critical points

CDC Dog Import Form required for all dogs since August 2024. Register and complete via CDC portal before travel. Singapore is not high-risk so the process is administrative.

No cabin pets on transpacific flights. All pets travel as cargo.

Summer temperature embargoes may restrict brachycephalic breeds from June onwards. Confirm with the cargo agent before booking summer departures.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

AirlineNotesType
Singapore AirlinesCargo: SIN to LAX, SFO, JFK, IAH, EWR. Direct and one-stop services. Live animal facility at Changi. Standard choice for SG-USA.Cargo Only
United AirlinesCargo: United PetSafe via SIN-SFO, SIN-LAX connections. Seasonal temperature embargoes. Brachycephalic restricted.Cargo Only
American AirlinesCargo: Via transpacific connections. Seasonal restrictions apply.Cargo Only
Delta Air LinesCargo: Via SIN-NRT-USA or other Pacific connections. Seasonal embargoes.Cargo Only
Airline guides
  • Singapore Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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