Zac, June 2026.
The costs were real.
Every guide to pet imports into Singapore lists the requirements. Very few list what it actually costs. This one does — including the things that rarely appear in agent quotes.
The honest answer: bringing a pet from a Schedule II country to Singapore costs between S$1,500 and S$4,000 in total, depending on your agent, your pet's size, and whether anything goes wrong. From Schedule I countries, the range is tighter: S$800 to S$2,000.
The costs in the agent quote
Agent fees are the most visible line item and the most variable. A full-service agent handling everything from import licence application through to doorstep delivery will charge S$600–S$1,500. A clearance-only agent might quote S$300–S$600. These numbers are not comparable — they describe completely different scopes of service.
Ask your agent to break down their quote line by line: import licence application, GST customs permit, CAPQ clearance, post-clearance transport. If they can't, that's information.
The costs not in the agent quote
Titer test. If you're from Schedule II, you need a rabies titer test. Budget S$200–S$500 including vet consultation and lab fees. The test must be done at an approved lab; your vet needs to know which labs AVS accepts.
Health certificate. Issued by your vet, endorsed by the official veterinary authority in your country. The USDA endorsement process costs around US$38 plus courier fees; EU processes vary. Budget S$100–S$300 depending on country.
Import licence. The AVS import licence costs S$29.40 (2026 rate). Usually included in agent fees but confirm explicitly.
Airline pet fee. In-cabin fees for small dogs range from S$80–S$200 per flight on European carriers. Cargo fees for larger dogs are substantially higher.
After-hours surcharge. If your pet arrives outside CAPQ operating hours, they stay overnight at the ground handler's animal holding facility at approximately S$26 per night. Not included in any agent quote we've seen. Entirely avoidable with the right arrival timing.
Veterinary wellness check. Recommended before and after a long-haul journey, particularly for older pets. Budget S$80–S$200 per visit.
The Schedule I vs II cost gap
The titer test and endorsement costs are the main driver of the Schedule II premium. If you're coming from Australia or New Zealand, you avoid both — which is why the total cost is substantially lower. If you're coming from the US or Europe, build those costs in from the start.