Singapore Updates Avian Product Import Rules to Strengthen Health and Traceability Standards

Singapore has revised veterinary inspection and tagging requirements for live birds of prey, parrots, and other ornamental birds to enhance health monitoring and traceability under regulations,,.

Compliance Requirements for Importing Live Birds of Prey, Parrots, and Ornamental Birds into Singapore

Singapore has revised its veterinary inspection and tagging requirements for live birds of prey, parrots, and ornamental birds to enhance health monitoring and traceability. The key regulations are governed by the Animals and Birds Act (Cap. 7) and enforced by the National Parks Board/Animal & Veterinary Service (NParks/AVS). Below is a structured breakdown of the compliance requirements.

1. Pre-Import Requirements

1.1 Import Licence

• Requirement: A valid Import Licence issued by NParks/AVS must accompany each consignment of birds^{1, 2}.
• Application Process:
  • Submit an online application via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (¹(https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences)) prior to arrival².
  • No specific deadline is stated, but applications must be submitted before the birds arrive in Singapore.

1.2 Veterinary Health Certificate

• Requirement: A Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued by a government veterinary authority or government-approved veterinarian in the country of export, dated within 7 days of import^{3, 2}.
• Key Certifications:
  1. Disease-Free Status:
• The exporting country must be free from high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) for the past 12 months (or 28 days post-outbreak if a stamping-out policy was implemented per WOAH standards)³.
• The exporting country must be free from velogenic Newcastle Disease for the past 6 months³.
1. Isolation and Testing:
• Birds must be kept in government-approved isolation facilities for at least 28 days prior to export and show no clinical signs of infectious diseases^{3, 2}.
• Mandatory tests within 14 days of export:
• Virus isolation test for avian influenza (sample size ≥ 30 birds; pooling permitted ≤ 10 samples/pool) OR
• RT-PCR test for avian influenza (sample size ≥ 30 birds; individual testing required)².
1. Pre-Export Examination:
• Birds must be examined by an official government veterinarian within 7 days of export and certified free from clinical signs of infectious diseases^{3, 2}.
1. Transportation:
• Birds must be transported in new or sanitised containers compliant with IATA requirements^{3, 2}.

1.3 Identification and Tagging (Ornamental Birds Only)

• Requirement: Ornamental birds listed in Section XII of the regulations must be microchipped or tagged with closed leg rings (unique serial numbers)².
• Applicable Species (partial list):

1.4 CITES Permits (If Applicable)

• Requirement: Birds listed under CITES Appendices must be accompanied by:
  • A CITES import permit issued by NParks/AVS (apply ≥14 days prior to import via GoBusiness Licensing Portal)³.
  • A CITES export/re-export certificate from the country of origin³.
• Fee: Refer to Fee Attachment-2 (not provided in sources).

2. Arrival and Inspection in Singapore

2.1 Notification of Arrival

• Requirement: The importer/agent must book an inspection appointment via¹(https://avs-eservices.nparks.gov.sg/eservices/) prior to arrival².
  • Mandatory details: NParks/AVS Import Licence number and flight details.
  • Penalty for non-compliance: Inspections without prior appointment are charged $133/hour or part thereof².

2.2 Veterinary Inspection

• Process:
  1. Present the birds, Import Licence, and Veterinary Health Certificate to an authorised Veterinary Officer at the port of disembarkation¹.
  2. If documents are in order and birds are clinically healthy, they are released to the importer¹.
  3. If discrepancies are found, birds may be:
• Detained for further action (e.g., testing, quarantine).
• Returned to the country of export or destroyed at the discretion of the Director-General, Animal Health and Welfare¹.
• Sampling: Birds may be subjected to random testing¹.

2.3 Quarantine

• Requirement: No quarantine is required if:
  • Documents are in order, and
  • Birds are clinically healthy upon arrival¹.

3. Penalties and Liabilities

3.1 Offences and Fines

• Non-compliance with import conditions (e.g., invalid documents, diseased birds) may result in:
  • Detention, return, or destruction of the consignment¹.
  • Criminal liability under Section 8(1) of the Animals and Birds Act:
  • Fine ≤ $10,000, or
  • Imprisonment ≤ 12 months, or
  • Both¹.

3.2 Liability Provisions

• Section 72 of the Animals and Birds Act:
  • Any action taken (e.g., detention, destruction) is at the risk of the owner².
  • NParks/AVS is not liable for expenses, loss, or damage arising from lawful actions².
• Section 78 of the Animals and Birds Act:
  • No legal proceedings may be brought against NParks/AVS or its officers for actions taken in good faith².

4. Fees

5. Other Requirements

1. Exhibition/Sale Licence: A separate licence from NParks/AVS is required to exhibit, sell, or export birds².
2. Costs: All import-related expenditures (e.g., testing, transport) are borne by the importer².
3. Regulation Updates: Fees and requirements are subject to change without notice².

Summary Answer

Singapore’s revised regulations for importing live birds of prey, parrots, and ornamental birds mandate pre-import licences, veterinary health certificates (issued within 7 days of export), and disease-free certifications (HPAI, Newcastle Disease)^{1, 3, 2}. Ornamental birds listed in Section XII must be microchipped or tagged², while CITES-listed species require additional permits³. Upon arrival, birds undergo mandatory veterinary inspection (with prior appointment to avoid fees) and may be detained, returned, or destroyed for non-compliance^{1, 2}. Penalties for violations include fines ≤ $10,000 or imprisonment ≤ 12 months¹. NParks/AVS bears no liability for lawful actions under Sections 72 and 78 of the Animals and Birds Act². All requirements are enforceable as of 31 October 2025^{1, 2}.

Sources

1. ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-01995 — Singapore https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/SGP/26_01995_00_e.pdf
2. ↩ WTO SPS notification 26-01996 — Singapore https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/SPS/SGP/26_01996_00_e.pdf
3. ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02000 — Singapore https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/SGP/26_02000_00_e.pdf