Essential Guide to Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station for Pet Travel to Malaysia

Pet Quarantine in Malaysia: What to Expect at KLAQS

All pets arriving in Malaysia from the United States are required to complete a minimum seven day quarantine at the Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station (KLAQS), located at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang. Knowing what to expect before your pet arrives makes the process significantly easier to manage.

For full import requirements including documentation, vaccinations, and timing, see our Malaysia pet import requirements page before planning your move.

Key Requirements Before You Travel

Several requirements must be in place before your pet can enter Malaysia and clear quarantine. Missing any of these can result in extended quarantine or refused entry.

• Import permit: Required for all pets entering Malaysia. Issued by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS), valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Pets arriving without a permit may be refused entry.
• Microchip: Must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standard. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination: Must be administered at least 30 days before entry into Malaysia.
• Health certificate: Must be issued by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA. Must be issued within 7 days of the export date.
• Quarantine booking: Must be made at least 14 days before travel. KLAQS fills up. Do not leave this until the last minute.

Breed Restrictions

Malaysia has a list of banned and restricted dog breeds. Banned breeds cannot be imported. Restricted breeds require written approval from the Director General of MAQIS before an import permit can be issued.

Banned breeds include the Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and Neapolitan Mastiff among others. Restricted breeds include the Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario. If your dog is one of these breeds, confirm eligibility with your PetRelocation coordinator before beginning the documentation process.

Where KLAQS Is Located

KLAQS is situated within the Animal Quarantine and Import Export Control Complex at KLIA in Sepang, Selangor. It is the primary quarantine facility for pets entering Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur. Pets requiring quarantine must enter Malaysia at an approved quarantine entry point. KLIA is the main option for most international arrivals.

Visiting Your Pet During Quarantine

Pet owners and authorized visitors can visit their pets daily. At the time of writing, visiting hours run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Confirm current hours with KLAQS before your visit as these are subject to change.

All visitors must sign in at the quarantine office and collect a visitor tag before accessing the facility. If someone other than an immediate family member will be visiting your pet, notify your PetRelocation coordinator in advance so KLAQS can be informed.

Accommodations at KLAQS

Dogs are rotated between indoor and covered outdoor areas during their stay. Cats are housed in a separate cattery. All enclosures are cleaned daily. The facility is not air conditioned, but you are permitted to supply a fan for your pet's comfort. Confirm current housing arrangements with your coordinator, as facility details can change.

Feeding During Quarantine

You can send one to two servings of your pet's dry food along for any connections during transit. For the quarantine stay, KLAQS provides food or can accommodate special food and medication requirements if the product is available for purchase in Malaysia. Let your PetRelocation coordinator know your pet's food type and exact feeding instructions well before travel so the right food can be sourced and ready on arrival.

Returning to the United States After Malaysia

If you are planning to return to the US with your pet after living in Malaysia, note that Malaysia is classified as a high rabies risk country by the CDC. US bound dogs require a CDC Dog Import Form submitted before departure and a Certification of US Issued Rabies Vaccination completed by a USDA accredited veterinarian. These cannot be issued retroactively after your dog leaves the United States, so plan ahead before your original departure.

What Other Owners Have Experienced

For a closer look at the KLAQS facility from a pet owner's perspective, read Archie's Move: A Closer Look at Quarantines and Pet Travel to Kuala Lumpur. You can also read about three Westies we relocated to Malaysia for a firsthand account of how the process went.

Planning a Move to Malaysia?

Quarantine booking, import permits, and documentation timing all need to be coordinated well before your pet travels. Getting one step out of sequence can delay the entire move. Talk to our team to go through what your move requires and how to get everything lined up correctly.