Singapore Pet Home Quarantine and the Smart Collar System

TLDR: Pets arriving in Singapore from the US no longer undergo facility quarantine as a standard requirement. Home quarantine applies in two situations: if the pet arrives more than 5 days after the owner, or if the owner has had the pet for less than 6 months. Home quarantine runs a minimum of 10 days and uses a smart collar tag monitoring system at S$29 per animal per day paid upfront. Home quarantine approval must be obtained before applying for the import licence.

Pets arriving in Singapore from the United States are no longer required to undergo quarantine at a facility as a standard step. For most US-origin moves, home quarantine is the applicable option when quarantine is required at all. Home quarantine uses a smart collar tag system to monitor compliance and runs at S$29 per animal per day, paid in full before arrival. Here is when home quarantine applies, when it does not, and how to apply.

When Home Quarantine Applies

Home quarantine is required for pets arriving from the US in either of the following two situations:

The pet arrives more than 5 days after the owner. If the owner enters Singapore and the pet follows more than 5 days later, a minimum 10-day home quarantine is required.

The owner has had the pet for less than 6 months. If the pet was adopted, rescued, or purchased less than 6 months before the import date, a minimum 10-day home quarantine is required regardless of when the owner arrived in Singapore.

Both conditions are assessed at the time of import licence application. If either applies to your move, home quarantine approval must be obtained before the import licence is applied for.

When Home Quarantine Does Not Apply

If the owner has owned the pet for 6 months or more and the pet arrives within 5 days of the owner's entry into Singapore, home quarantine is not required. Both conditions must be met for the exemption to apply. If either condition is not met, home quarantine is required.

The Smart Collar Tag System

Home quarantine in Singapore is monitored using a smart collar tag. The tag is fitted to the pet and tracks compliance with the quarantine conditions, specifically that the pet remains at the approved quarantine premises for the full quarantine period. The conditions the pet owner must comply with during home quarantine are detailed in the Conditions for the Quarantine of Dogs and Cats at Home document issued by AVS.

The cost is S$29 per animal per day or part thereof. This is paid upfront in full before the pet arrives. For a 10-day minimum home quarantine, the upfront cost is S$290 per animal. Payment is made as part of the application process.

How to Apply for Home Quarantine

Applications are submitted via FormSG at https://go.gov.sg/avs-homeq. NParks processes applications within 5 working days of submission. Do not submit the import licence application until home quarantine approval has been received. The correct sequence is: home quarantine application first, then import licence application after approval is confirmed.

Allow enough time for the 5 working day processing window before your import licence submission deadline. Given that both licences must be in place at least 30 days before arrival, submit the home quarantine application as early as possible once you know it will be required.

What Happens During Home Quarantine

Your pet must remain at the approved quarantine premises for the full quarantine period. The smart collar tag monitors this. Owners must comply with all conditions set out in the AVS home quarantine conditions document. Any breach of quarantine conditions may result in the pet being transferred to the Animal Quarantine Centre at the owner's expense.

The quarantine premises must be your residential address in Singapore. Confirm the address is correct on the application before submitting. Changes after approval may require a new application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does home quarantine apply to cats as well as dogs?

Yes. The home quarantine requirement and smart collar tag system apply to both dogs and cats arriving from the US in the applicable scenarios.

How much does home quarantine cost in total?

S$29 per animal per day, paid upfront in full. For a 10-day minimum quarantine the upfront cost is S$290 per animal. If the quarantine period extends beyond 10 days, additional costs apply.

Can I apply for the import licence before home quarantine is approved?

No. Home quarantine approval must be received before the import licence application is submitted. Apply for home quarantine first and wait for the NParks approval before proceeding to the import licence.

What if I have owned my pet for more than 6 months and am traveling together?

If you have owned the pet for 6 months or more and the pet arrives within 5 days of your entry into Singapore, home quarantine is not required. Both conditions must be met. Check with AVS directly for the supporting documents required to confirm ownership duration and travel timing.

What happens if the smart collar tag shows a quarantine breach?

A breach of home quarantine conditions may result in your pet being transferred to the Animal Quarantine Centre. All costs of transfer and facility quarantine would be at the owner's expense.

Author:

PetRelocation Team

Topic:

How-To Guides

Pet:

Cats, Dogs

Country:

Singapore