Country entry guide · Asia
Traveling to Malaysia with your dog
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) |
⏱️ Estimated preparation time
Times are indicative. The rabies antibody test alone adds a fixed 3-month wait.
⚠️ 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.
Find a flight to Malaysia
🧭 How your dog's entry requirements are decided
The exact documents depend on three things — Malaysia (your destination) is only the first.
- 1 Country of destination — Malaysia★★★★★
Malaysia runs its own scheme under the Animals Act 1953: a MAQIS import permit, an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a government veterinary health certificate are always required, and certain breeds are banned.
- 2 Country of departure★★★★★
Whether your dog leaves from a rabies-free 'scheduled' country (no quarantine possible) or from another country decides whether a rabies antibody test and a quarantine period apply.
- 3 Countries your dog recently stayed in★★★★☆
The certificate must confirm the dog was not imported into the exporting country in the previous six months; a recent stay in a rabies-risk country can change the requirements and the quarantine outcome.
So read the requirements below as Malaysia's framework, then confirm your dog's exact origin and history with your vet and with MAQIS before applying.
✅ Entry requirements
| Requirement | Required? | When | Exceptions | Official reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import permit / licence | Required | Obtained from MAQIS (with DVS approval, via the e-Permit system) before the animal leaves the exporting country; valid 30 days from issue. | 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 | The dog must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, recorded on the certificate. | For restricted breeds the microchip code must also appear on the pedigree certificate. | DVS Importation Regulations, clause 2.2 |
| Rabies vaccination | Required | Vaccinated 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. | Core vaccines up to date within 12 months prior to export are also required. | DVS Importation Regulations, clause 3 |
| Rabies antibody test | Conditional | Required for dogs from rabies-risk (non-scheduled) countries: result ≥0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory. | 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 | Issued 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. | From the US/Canada the Malaysia veterinary certificate must be endorsed by USDA/CFIA. | DVS Importation Regulations, clause 3 |
| Minimum age | ≥3 months | The dog must be over 3 months old at the time of import. | — | DVS — Procedure to import dogs and cats |
| Prohibited breeds | Import banned | Pit 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. | Crosses of these breeds are also refused. | DVS Importation Regulations, clause 5.2 |
| Restricted breeds | Prior written approval | Bull 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. | Requires a pedigree certificate, ISO microchip, premises inspection and owner declarations. | DVS Importation Regulations, clauses 5.1 & 6 |
| Border check | Required | The dog is flown directly to a prescribed landing place/approved airport and inspected by MAQIS/DVS on arrival. | — | DVS Importation Regulations, clause 4 |
| Quarantine | Often required | On 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. | A dog from a scheduled rabies-free country meeting all conditions may enter without quarantine. | animalpassport.dvs.gov.my; DVS scheduled-country regulations |
🌍 Rules according to your dog's origin
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.
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.
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.
🛬 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.
🧳 Real traveller experience
No reliable documented traveller feedback available.
🚫 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.
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.
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.
✈️ National airlines
Carriers registered in this country that accept dogs — see each airline's MyDogCanFly fiche.
🛂 Airports in Malaysia
Check where your dog can relieve itself at each airport — and whether it's before or after security.
🧾 Preparation checklist
- ☐MAQIS import permit obtained before departure (via DVS e-Permit / registered agent)
- ☐ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted and recorded on the certificate
- ☐Valid rabies vaccination (and ≥30 days before entry from rabies-risk countries)
- ☐Rabies antibody test ≥0.5 IU/ml — rabies-risk origins only
- ☐Government veterinary health certificate issued within 7 days of export
- ☐Confirm your dog is not a banned breed and, if restricted, that approval was granted
- ☐Direct flight to an approved landing place; plan for possible quarantine (min. 7 days)
- ☐Suitable IATA crate if travelling in the hold, and original documents
📚 Official sources
- DVS Malaysia — Procedure to import dogs and cats into Malaysia
- DVS Malaysia — Regulations for the importation of dogs and cats (scheduled countries)
- DVS Malaysia — Animal Passport portal: pet immigration rules & quarantine
- DVS Malaysia — Import/Export permit system (e-Permit)
- MAQIS — Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department