Pet Transport from Singapore to United Arab Emirates

Planning a pet relocation from Singapore to United Arab Emirates is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-10 weeks of preparation …

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6-10

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Moderate

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

6-10 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Moderate

Airlines

11 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Singapore to United Arab Emirates typically takes around 6-10 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Singapore to United Arab Emirates import process

Before any vaccinations. Must be done first.

Get your pet microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

At least 21 days before travel (after microchip)

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn 30+ days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (RNATT blood test)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Lead time: Check with authorities

Apply for import permit from United Arab Emirates

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirements)

Obtain health certificate / veterinary clearance

Responsible: Official veterinarian

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space availability.

Book IATA-compliant flight and arrange pet cargo/cabin booking

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation

Responsible: You + airline cargo desk

Requirements

United Arab Emirates 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). Must be implanted before rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. Vaccination must be administered after microchipping. Titre test may be required from certain countries.

Rabies titre test

Required for: Pets from certain non-approved or high-risk countries. Not required for: Pets from approved countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml

Quarantine

No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant

Import permit

Required. Import permit MUST be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.

Health certificate

Leaving Singapore

Export requirements

Government endorsement

Must meet destination country requirements. Contact destination authority for specific format.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo/cabin fees (varies by carrier, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees (vaccinations, health certificate, microchip)

Import permit application fee (United Arab Emirates)

Government endorsement/USDA endorsement fee (if applicable)

Pet transport agent fee (if using a relocation service)

Critical points

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face cargo restrictions on most airlines. Check breed-specific policies before booking.

Microchip MUST be implanted before rabies vaccination. Vaccination given before microchip is invalid and the clock restarts.

Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer months (June to September). Airlines may refuse pet cargo when ground temperatures exceed 30C.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo transport available	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Transport of large animals to certain destinations not possible due to local circumstances. Fighting dog breeds subject to special rules	Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel as cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Qantas	Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round. Temperature embargoes: seasonal restrictions during Australian summer (Dec-Feb)	Cargo Only
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Pets can travel in the hold as checked baggage or via KLM Cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes. French regulations on dangerous dog breeds apply	Cabin and Cargo
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Etihad Airways	Cargo: Pets travel as cargo through Etihad Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds subject to seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during Abu Dhabi summer months	Cargo Only
Turkish Airlines	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo transport available. Brachycephalic breeds restricted in cargo. Temperature restrictions apply	Cabin and Cargo
Swiss International Air Lines	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets travel in hold. Swiss WorldCargo for freight.	Cabin and Cargo

The rules for bringing a pet into United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.

How to keep this move on track

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.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

The process takes 6-10 weeks from start to finish. The rabies titre test requires a 3-6 month waiting period after the blood draw before your pet can travel, so start early.

No routine quarantine for pets entering United Arab Emirates with the correct documentation. No routine quarantine. Penalty quarantine up to varies days if non-compliant

Required. Import permit MUST be obtained before travel. Different emirates have different application processes. Allow 1-2 weeks for processing.

Required. Veterinary health certificate / Official health certificate. Issued by: Government veterinarian or government-endorsed veterinarian in country of export. Certificate must confirm: rabies vaccination status, microchip number, pet is free from infectious disease, fit to travel Your Singapore vet must be approved to issue official veterinary certificates. The certificate must be issued within the timeframe required by United Arab Emirates: usually 10 days before travel. Present the original at check-in.

Yes. Required for: Pets from certain non-approved or high-risk countries. Not required for: Pets from approved countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, EU countries, etc.). Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be valid. Start this process as early as possible.

Airline guides

Emirates
British Airways
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Qantas
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Air France
Cathay Pacific
Etihad Airways
Turkish Airlines
Swiss International Air Lines

Breed restrictions

Pit Bull Terrier (and related types) (restricted)
American Staffordshire Terrier (restricted)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier (restricted in some emirates)
Rottweiler (restricted but not outright banned in most emirates)
Dogo Argentino (restricted)
Fila Brasileiro (restricted)
Japanese Tosa (restricted)
Perro de Presa Canario (restricted)

All breed guides →

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