What to Know About Importing Dogs and Cats to Malaysia

Curious about pet transport to Malaysia? If a relocation to this Southeast Asian country is on the horizon and you'd like to take your pets with you, you’ll need to take several steps to make it happen.

Before bringing a dog to Malaysia, ensure that your furry friend is microchipped for easy identification. Each dog and cat is also required to have an up-to-date and inactivated rabies vaccine and certificate. Other vaccinations are recommended, including Distemper, Hepatitis, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP).

Bringing pets to Malaysia also calls for an import permit from the Directors of State Veterinary departments or the Director General of the Department of Veterinary Services, as well as a mandatory seven day quarantine. Your PetRelocation Specialists can guide you through the process.

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Regulations for Importing Pets to Malaysia

Attention: This information is to be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements. Before you travel, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities for your destination country.

Microchip

Each pet shall be identified by means of a microchip. No other form of identification is acceptable. The microchip used should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. Malaysia currently accepts AVID 9 and AVID 10 in addition to ISO. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine is administered.

Rabies Vaccination and Certificate

All pets must have an original Rabies Certificate and this certificate must state the microchip number, the date of inoculation and the validity of the particular vaccination you obtain – the rabies vaccine can be a one year, two year or three year vaccine and must be more than 30 days old at the time of departure. This vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine.

Additional Vaccines

It is suggested that all animals have full vaccinations, as well:

Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.

Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).

These should be valid at the time of import and administered no less than two weeks before export date for maximum effectiveness.

Vet Health Certificate (Form 7001)

This is the standard Health Certificate to be filled out by your USDA accredited veterinarian. It must be issued within 7 days of date of export.

Import Permit

An import permit is required in order to enter the country. Please contact your PetRelocation Specialist to learn more about best way to manage this.

USDA Endorsements

The following documents should be sent to the state USDA veterinarian for endorsement:

  • Microchip Implantation Record
  • Rabies Certificate
  • Vet Health Certificate

Quarantine at Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station (KLAQS)

There is a seven day mandatory quarantine for all pets going into Malaysia from the United States. KLAQS is located at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.

Animal Quarantine & Import Export Control Complex

KL International Airport (KLIA), Sepang

Jalan Pekeliling 4

64050 Sepang

Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: 603- 87872377 / 79

Fax: 603- 878722378

Learn more about KLAQS and your pet’s quarantine experience here.

Additional Details

Dogs and cats must be at least three months of age at the time of import.

There is no restriction on the number of pets that can be imported by a person. However, the local authorities in Malaysia may have regulations pertaining to the number of dogs that can be kept within residential premises.

You are required to obtain an import permit to be able to import pets into Malaysia. PetRelocation can obtain the import permit on your behalf. Pets arriving without import permits may not be allowed entry by the animal quarantine officers at the point of entry. To import an exotic animal as a pet you may also be required to obtain approval from the Department of Wildlife Conservation and National Parks prior to applying for the import permit.

For importation into Peninsular Malaysia, import permits shall be obtained from the Directors of State Veterinary departments or the Director General, Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia. For importation into the States of Sabah and Sarawak, inquiries and application should be made to those states.

The import permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

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