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Country entry guide · Asia

Traveling to Malaysia with your dog

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult (permit + possible quarantine) ⏱ Several weeks to a few months

Malaysia allows dogs to enter, but it runs its own national scheme — not the EU framework — and what you must prepare depends mainly on the country your dog is travelling from. An import permit from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS), an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a government veterinary health certificate are the foundation for every dog. From a small list of rabies-free "scheduled" countries (such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore or Australia) a healthy dog can often enter without quarantine. From other countries a rabies antibody test and a quarantine period apply, and certain breeds are banned outright. This guide explains each case so you know exactly what to prepare before you book your flight.

📋 At a glance

Dogs allowed	Yes (except banned breeds)
Import permit / licence	Required (MAQIS, before travel)
Microchip	Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination	Required
Rabies antibody test	Conditional — rabies-risk origins
Veterinary certificate	Required (government-issued)
Quarantine	Often required (min. 7 days)

⚠️ Important

MyDogCanFly provides general information — not veterinary or legal advice.
Only a veterinarian, and the DVS/MAQIS import permit, can confirm the exact procedure for your individual dog.
Requirements depend on: the country of origin, previous travel history, identification, vaccinations, the itinerary and the travel date.

Always consult your veterinarian before booking your trip.

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Find a flight to Malaysia

Compare the airlines that accept dogs and check their conditions.

🔎 Find a flight to Malaysia

🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided

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Country of destination — Malaysia★★★★★
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Country of departure★★★★★
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Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆

✅ Entry requirements

Requirement	Required?	Exceptions	Official reference
Import permit / licence	Required	For Sabah and Sarawak, the permit/licence is issued by the state DVS instead.	MAQIS Act 2011; maqis.gov.my; dvs.gov.my
ISO microchip	Required	For restricted breeds the microchip code must also appear on the pedigree certificate.	DVS Importation Regulations, clause 2.2
Rabies vaccination	Required	Core vaccines up to date within 12 months prior to export are also required.	DVS Importation Regulations, clause 3
Rabies antibody test	Conditional	Not required from rabies-free scheduled countries; confirm the exact rule for your origin with DVS/MAQIS.	dvs.gov.my (country import conditions)
Government veterinary health certificate	Required	From the US/Canada the Malaysia veterinary certificate must be endorsed by USDA/CFIA.	DVS Importation Regulations, clause 3
Minimum age	≥3 months	—	DVS — Procedure to import dogs and cats
Prohibited breeds	Import banned	Crosses of these breeds are also refused.	DVS Importation Regulations, clause 5.2
Restricted breeds	Prior written approval	Requires a pedigree certificate, ISO microchip, premises inspection and owner declarations.	DVS Importation Regulations, clauses 5.1 & 6
Border check	Required	—	DVS Importation Regulations, clause 4
Quarantine	Often required	A dog from a scheduled rabies-free country meeting all conditions may enter without quarantine.	animalpassport.dvs.gov.my; DVS scheduled-country regulations

🗓 In what order, and when

Some steps only count once the previous one is done — check each deadline against the official reference above.

Import permit / licenceObtained from MAQIS (with DVS approval, via the e-Permit system) before the animal leaves the exporting country; valid 30 days from issue.
ISO microchipThe dog must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, recorded on the certificate.
Rabies vaccinationVaccinated with an approved anti-rabies vaccine before export; the vaccination must be valid on arrival, and at least 30 days before entry from rabies-risk countries.
Rabies antibody testRequired for dogs from rabies-risk (non-scheduled) countries: result ≥0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory.
Government veterinary health certificateIssued by the government veterinary authority of the exporting country within 7 days before export; certifies rabies-freedom of the country (6 months), vaccinations and clinical health.
Minimum ageThe dog must be over 3 months old at the time of import.
Prohibited breedsPit Bull (incl. American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero, Japanese Tosa and Neapolitan Mastiff cannot be imported.
Restricted breedsBull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman, German Shepherd/Alsatian (incl. Belgian & East European Shepherd), Perro de Presa Canario and Rottweiler need written MAQIS approval before the permit.
Border checkThe dog is flown directly to a prescribed landing place/approved airport and inspected by MAQIS/DVS on arrival.
QuarantineOn arrival the dog may be quarantined for a compulsory period of not less than 7 days; can be extended up to 6 months based on risk assessment.

🌍 The different cases

Scheduled rabies-free countries — no quarantine

From a scheduled rabies-free country (United Kingdom, Eire, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Brunei, Singapore and Australia), a healthy dog with a MAQIS import permit, ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a government veterinary health certificate can generally enter without quarantine. Singapore requires an import licence and a six-month residence declaration.

⏱ Scheduled (rabies-free) countries: allow a few weeks for the MAQIS import permit; often no quarantine if all documents are in order.

Other permitted countries — permit + short quarantine

From other permitted countries, your dog needs a MAQIS import permit, an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a government veterinary health certificate issued within 7 days of export (endorsed by USDA/CFIA from the US/Canada). Expect a compulsory quarantine of at least 7 days at an approved station on arrival.

⏱ Other permitted countries: 2–4 weeks for the DVS/MAQIS permit, plus a health certificate issued within 7 days of export and a minimum 7-day quarantine on arrival.

Rabies-risk countries — antibody test + extended quarantine

From a rabies-risk country, add a rabies antibody test (result ≥0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory) and rabies vaccination at least 30 days before entry. Quarantine on arrival can be extended well beyond the 7-day minimum, up to 6 months, based on a case-by-case risk assessment. Confirm the exact conditions with DVS/MAQIS before you travel.

⏱ Rabies-risk countries: several months — rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and quarantine that can be extended based on risk assessment.

🛬 Arrival

What happens when your dog reaches Malaysia depends on where you flew from and on the import permit conditions.

The dog must be flown directly to a prescribed landing place or approved airport designated by DVS/MAQIS.
MAQIS officers check the import permit, microchip, rabies vaccination and the government veterinary health certificate on arrival.
Dogs that require quarantine are detained at an approved animal quarantine station for a compulsory period of not less than 7 days.
Since 2024, import permit applications are filed online, in practice through a MAQIS-registered agent rather than by the owner directly.
If documents are missing or invalid, the dog may be refused entry, returned, quarantined at the owner's expense or, as a last resort, put down.
Banned breeds are refused entry; restricted breeds are refused unless prior written MAQIS approval was obtained.

🛫 Leaving the country (return trip)

Malaysia is a listed country, so no rabies titer is needed to return to the EU — the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) issues the export veterinary health certificate.

On site, before the flight Apply for the veterinary health certificate and export permit online through the DVS e-Permit / MAQIS system; DVS advises applying at least a week before travel (permit valid 30 days).

⚠️ A licensed vet completes the EU health certificate; the DVS endorsement is the official step — allow a few working days.

🔗 Authority: DVS

🚫 Restricted dogs

Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services classifies certain dog breeds as banned (import prohibited) or restricted (import only with prior written approval). Classification follows the breed and its crosses, not an individual assessment.

Category 1

Banned (import prohibited): Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull — including American Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier — Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero (Brazilian Fila), Japanese Tosa and Neapolitan Mastiff, and their crosses. These dogs cannot be imported into Malaysia.

Category 2

Restricted (prior written MAQIS approval required): Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman, German Shepherd/Alsatian (including Belgian Shepherd and East European Shepherd), Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Dog) and Rottweiler. Approval requires a pedigree certificate, an ISO microchip, a premises inspection and owner declarations (secured, leashed and muzzled in public).

Owning a dog in Malaysia also requires a local dog licence from your municipal council. Confirm the current banned/restricted lists with MAQIS before purchasing tickets, as they may be updated.

✈️ Airlines flying to Malaysia with a dog

Carriers we document that serve this country and accept dogs. The verdict is the airline's general policy — it does not prejudge your breed, your crate or your exact route.

Malaysia Airlines🇲🇾 3 airports Hold China Southern Airlines 3 airports Hold Qatar Airways 2 airports Hold Singapore Airlines 2 airports Hold Cathay Pacific 2 airports Cargo only China Airlines 2 airports Hold

+25 more documented airlines accept dogs to this country. 3 carriers serving this country are not listed here: refusal or undocumented pet policy. See all airlines →

🛂 Airports in Malaysia

Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.

Kota Kinabalu BKI Kuala Lumpur KUL Penang PEN

Malaysia with a dog: common questions

Malaysia: What does my dog need to enter?

Malaysia requires: Import permit / licence, ISO microchip, Rabies vaccination, Government veterinary health certificate, Border check.

Malaysia: Is a rabies antibody test required?

Malaysia — Rabies antibody test: Conditional. Required for dogs from rabies-risk (non-scheduled) countries: result ≥0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory.

Malaysia: Are any dog breeds banned?

Malaysia: How long does it take to prepare a dog?

Scheduled (rabies-free) countries: allow a few weeks for the MAQIS import permit; often no quarantine if all documents are in order. Rabies-risk countries: several months — rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody test (≥0.5 IU/ml) and quarantine that can be extended based on risk assessment.

Malaysia: Do domestic flights have the same requirements?

Domestic flight in Malaysia: flying to Sabah or Sarawak is legally an import, with permit, titer and quarantine. Sabah and Sarawak run their own animal-health legislation and treat a dog from Peninsular Malaysia as an imported animal.…

Malaysia: What is needed to leave with a dog?