Home/Routes/Singapore to Japan
SG
Singapore
✈️
JP
Japan

Pet Transport from Singapore to Japan

36-42 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified

Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →

Overview
Singapore to Japan involves two demanding regulatory systems. Japan’s AQS is the world’s strictest pet import system and classifies Singapore as a non-designated country, meaning the full 180-day protocol applies. Singapore’s AVS requires an export licence for all live animal departures. Plan 36-42 weeks from start to arrival in Japan.
Step by step

The Singapore to Japan process

1
Week 0. Non-negotiable first step.
STEP 1: Microchip (ISO 11784/11785), before any vaccination

Responsible: Singapore vet

2
After microchip. Record exact date.
STEP 2: First rabies vaccination

Responsible: Singapore vet

3
Mandatory.
STEP 3: Wait 30 days

Responsible: N/A

4
Day 30+.
STEP 4: Second rabies vaccination

Responsible: Singapore vet

5
Mandatory before blood draw.
STEP 5: Wait 30 days

Responsible: N/A

6
Day 60+. 180-day clock starts from blood draw date.
STEP 6: FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory

Responsible: Singapore vet + AQS-approved lab

7
Cannot be shortened.
STEP 7: 180-day wait from blood draw date

Responsible: N/A

8
2+ weeks before departure. Can be done during waiting period.
STEP 8: Apply for AVS Export Licence

Responsible: You or agent via CITES e-Licence

9
During the 180-day wait period.
STEP 9: Submit AQS advance notification (40+ days before arrival)

Responsible: You or agent

10
Once waiting period complete.
STEP 10: Book Singapore Airlines or ANA Cargo SIN-NRT

Responsible: You or agent

11
Within 7 days of Singapore departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival.
STEP 11: AVS-endorsed MAFF health certificate

Responsible: AVS-accredited vet + AVS

12
Present all originals.
STEP 12: Arrive Japan. AQS inspection and quarantine.

Responsible: AQS Japan

Checklist

Japan: entry requirements

RequirementDetail
MicrochipRequired (ISO 11784/11785). Before any rabies vaccination. Sequence is mandatory.
Rabies vaccinationTwo vaccinations required. Both after microchip. At least 30 days apart. At least 30 days after second vaccination before titre test.
Rabies titre testRequired. FAVN at AQS-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day mandatory wait from blood draw date. Singapore is non-designated for AQS.
QuarantineMinimum 12 hours on arrival. 2-7 days in practice for non-designated country arrivals.
Import permitAdvance AQS notification at least 40 days before arrival. No separate import permit.
Health certificateMAFF-format certificate endorsed by AVS. Within 7 days of Singapore departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival.
Leaving Singapore

Export requirements

RequirementDetail
Export permitAVS Export Licence required. Apply via CITES e-Licence System. Allow 2+ weeks.
Health certificateOfficial health certificate by AVS-accredited vet, endorsed by AVS. In MAFF format for Japan. Within 7 days of departure.
Costs

What this route typically costs

1Singapore Airlines or ANA Cargo fees SIN-NRT
2IATA-compliant crate
3FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory
4AVS Export Licence fee
5AVS-endorsed MAFF health certificate fees
6AQS quarantine fees on arrival
7Agent fee (strongly recommended for Japan complexity)
Critical points

Read before you book

⚠ Microchip before first vaccination is absolute. Any vaccination given before the chip = restart entire sequence.
⚠ 180-day wait from blood draw date. Count carefully.
⚠ AQS advance notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Hard deadline.
⚠ MAFF health certificate dual window: within 7 days of SG departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival. Both must be met.
⚠ Singapore is non-designated for AQS. Full 180-day protocol applies.
Carriers

Airlines on this route

Singapore Airlines
Direct SIN-NRT/HND. Singapore Airlines Cargo. National carrier with strong AVS export familiarity at Changi. Primary recommendation.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Direct SIN-NRT/HND. ANA Cargo. Japanese national carrier with deep AQS inspection familiarity at Tokyo airports.
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Direct SIN-NRT. JAL Cargo. AQS-experienced at Tokyo arrival.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong HKG to NRT. Longer routing. Good animal handling.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to NRT. Summer heat restrictions may apply.
Cargo Only

Regulatory sequence at a glance

StepRequirementTimingKey rule
1ISO microchipWeek 0Must be before any vaccination
2First rabies vaccinationWeek 0-2After microchip
330-day waitWeeks 2-6Mandatory
4Second rabies vaccinationWeek 630+ days after first
530-day waitWeeks 6-10Mandatory before titre test
6FAVN titre test at AQS-approved labWeek 10+180-day clock starts here
7180-day waitWeeks 10-36Cannot be shortened
8AVS Export Licence2+ weeks before departureMandatory
9AQS advance notification40+ days before arrivalHard deadline
10MAFF health certificate (AVS-endorsed)Within 7 days of SG departureDual window
11Arrive JapanTravel dayAQS inspection + quarantine

Source: Japan AQS aqs.maff.go.jp; AVS Singapore nparks.gov.sg/avs.

Singapore Airlines vs ANA on SIN-NRT

Both airlines operate direct Singapore-Tokyo Narita services with pet cargo capability. Singapore Airlines Cargo brings strong Changi departure familiarity with AVS export documentation. ANA Cargo brings deep AQS inspection knowledge at the Narita arrival end.

Practically speaking, either is a sound choice. Book as far in advance as possible. The dual-window health certificate (within 7 days of SG departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival) aligns comfortably with the typical SIN-NRT flight time of around 7 hours, but plan the vet appointment date to ensure both windows are met.

The AVS export licence: don’t leave it late

Unlike the Japanese documentation, which involves a long sequence that can’t be rushed, the AVS Export Licence is a relatively quick application via the CITES e-Licence System. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. Your agent can handle this during the 180-day waiting period so it doesn’t add to your critical path.

The export licence and the AVS-endorsed health certificate are separate documents. The licence authorises the export; the health certificate confirms the animal’s health status. Both are required.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow 36-42 weeks. Two vaccinations, a titre test (blood drawn 30 days after the second vaccination), the 180-day wait from blood draw, 40 days advance AQS notification, AVS export licence, and the MAFF health certificate.
No. Singapore is non-designated, meaning the full 180-day protocol applies: microchip first, two vaccinations, FAVN titre test, 180-day wait, 40-day advance notification, and MAFF health certificate.
Verify the current AQS-approved laboratory list at aqs.maff.go.jp before booking. Singapore may have AVS-accredited labs that also hold AQS approval, confirm this with your vet or agent.
Yes. AQS inspects and quarantines all pets from non-designated countries on arrival. Minimum 12 hours, typically 2-7 days. Quarantine fees are charged per day at the AQS facility.
Yes. Singapore requires an AVS Export Licence for all live animal exports. Apply via the CITES e-Licence System at nparks.gov.sg/avs at least 2 weeks before departure. This is separate from all Japanese AQS requirements.
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