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Bringing a cat from Singapore to the United States
Step-by-step checklist
| Step | What to do | When |
|---|---|---|
| AVS export licence | Apply via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal within 90 days of leaving — the licence is valid 90 days from issue. This is a Singapore exit rule and applies to cats exactly as it does to dogs, even though the US asks for almost nothing. | Within 90 days of departure |
| No CDC form | The CDC Dog Import Form is dogs-only. There is no federal import form, permit or vaccination certificate for a pet cat entering the United States. | Good to know |
| Health on arrival | Your cat must appear healthy when it arrives. A cat that looks ill can be required to have a veterinary examination at your expense before being released, and cats are subject to inspection at the port of entry like other animals. | Arrival |
| Check state and airline rules | Some US states ask for a rabies vaccination or a health certificate for cats, and airlines set their own carriage conditions. Hawaii and Guam impose their own quarantine rules even on cats from the mainland — if either is your destination, this simple federal picture does not apply. | Before booking |
| Departure day | Hand the ground handler (SATS or DNATA at Changi) a copy of the AVS export licence and any documents your airline requires. | Departure day |
Your preparation timeline
- 1Weeks ahead — Apply for the AVS export licence; check destination-state and airline requirements
- 2Departure — Changi ground handler checks the export licence copy
- 3Arrival — Visual inspection — a healthy cat is released with no federal paperwork
Costs you can plan for
There is no US federal fee, form or permit cost for a pet cat. Your costs are the air fare (and any pet-in-cabin or cargo fee your airline charges) plus optional items: if your airline or destination state wants a health certificate, AVS can issue or convert one for S$23 standard (two working days) or S$46 express. Keep vaccination records with you — they cost nothing and answer most questions at check-in.
Questions people ask about this route
Does my cat need a rabies vaccination to enter the US?
Not under federal rules — CDC and USDA impose no rabies vaccination requirement on pet cats entering the United States. Your destination state may require one, and airlines often expect it, so check both before you fly.
Is there a CDC form for cats like the Dog Import Form?
No. The CDC Dog Import Form applies to dogs only. Cats have no equivalent federal form.
Can my cat be quarantined on arrival in the US?
There is no routine federal quarantine for cats. A cat that appears ill on arrival can be held for a veterinary examination at your expense. Hawaii and Guam run their own quarantine systems, including for cats.
Do I still need the Singapore export licence for a cat?
Yes. AVS requires an export licence for every pet leaving Singapore, cats included, applied for via GoBusiness within 90 days of departure.
Related guides
- Bringing a dog from Singapore to the United States
- Rabies titer tests (FAVN / RNATT): validity and waiting periods by country
- How many days before travel do you need a pet health certificate?
- Pet quarantine by country: how long, where, and how to avoid it
- Microchip before or after rabies vaccination?
- How far in advance should you start preparing?
Official sources for this page
- AVS (Singapore) — Exporting dogs and cats
- CDC — Bringing an animal into the United States
- USDA APHIS — Bringing a pet cat into the US
We check each rule against the exporting country's official page and the destination country's official page. If the two disagree, we show the disagreement instead of guessing.
Want a professional to run this route for you?
Licensed pet relocation companies handle permits, vet paperwork and flights daily. We are adding vetted partners for this route — check back soon.