Shipping a pet from Vietnam to Malaysia raises a specific set of technical questions that a general overview can’t always answer directly. For the complete step-by-step roadmap, visit our Malaysia Pet Relocation Guide or read the full 2026 Import Regulations. This FAQ addresses the questions we hear most often from owners preparing this route.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is mandatory quarantine in Malaysia, and can it be extended?
The minimum is 7 days at the Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station (KLAQS). If MAQIS officers find any mismatch between your pet’s documents and its clinical condition on arrival, the stay can be extended up to 6 months at the owner’s expense, based on a case-by-case risk assessment. See our Malaysia Pet Quarantine KLAQS Guide for the full facility breakdown and daily rates.
2. Is the Rabies Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) mandatory for Malaysia?
No — DVS does not strictly mandate an RNATT for pets entering Peninsular Malaysia. It remains optional and can strengthen your document profile during permit vetting, but it is not a legal blocker. In our own Dou Dou case study, the Golden Retriever relocated to Kuala Lumpur without an RNATT, and his Import Permit was still approved in a single day.
3. Can my pet fly in the passenger cabin to Malaysia?
Yes, on one carrier. Malaysia’s import law does not prohibit cabin travel — it comes down to each airline’s own policy. Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines do not offer an in-cabin option on any route (a network-wide carrier policy, not a Malaysian legal requirement), but Vietnam Airlines does, for dogs and cats at least 10 weeks old with a combined pet-and-carrier weight under 6 kg. Larger pets, or pets flying Malaysia Airlines/Singapore Airlines, must travel in a temperature-controlled hold as Checked Baggage (AVIH) or Manifest Cargo. See our Airlines for Pet Shipping to Malaysia guide for the full carrier comparison.
4. When does my pet have to fly as Manifest Cargo instead of Checked Baggage (AVIH)?
Once the combined weight of your pet and its IATA crate exceeds 32 kg, or if the pet is traveling without an accompanying owner, Manifest Cargo becomes the only compliant option. This is exactly what happened with Dou Dou, a 35kg Golden Retriever whose crate weight pushed his total past the AVIH ceiling — read the full case study for how that shipment was handled.
5. Which dog breeds are banned or restricted from entering Malaysia?
DVS bans breeds including the Pit Bull Terrier, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Neapolitan Mastiff, and American Bulldog outright — no import permit will be issued for these under any circumstances. A second group, including the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, and Doberman Pinscher, is restricted rather than banned: import is possible but requires written pre-approval from the Director General of DVS. See our Banned Dog Breeds in Malaysia guide for the complete list and approval process.
6. How long is the Malaysia Import Permit valid, and what does it cost?
Based on a real permit issued for a Daisy Pet relocation, the Import Permit is valid for approximately 60 days from its issue date, with a government fee of roughly RM40 (about $8.5). It must be secured, alongside your KLAQS quarantine booking, before your pet can be cleared for boarding.
7. Which airport or border checkpoint does my pet need to enter through?
Malaysia only operates quarantine stations at three points: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA, in Sepang), Penang International Airport, and the Padang Besar land border crossing. For pets arriving from Vietnam, KLIA (Sepang) is the standard entry point, since it is the primary route served by direct and connecting flights.
8. What is the minimum age for a pet to enter Malaysia?
Dogs and cats must be at least 3 months old at the time of import, per official DVS guidance. This is separate from the rabies vaccination timeline — your pet’s age and its vaccination schedule both need to be confirmed before booking a flight.
9. How much does it cost to ship a pet from Vietnam to Malaysia?
Total costs scale with your pet’s volumetric crate size — full-service relocations typically range from about $1,500-$1,800 for small pets to $3,200-$4,500 for large dogs, covering veterinary prep, air freight, and MAQIS/KLAQS clearance. See our Pet Relocation Cost to Malaysia guide for the full 2026 price matrix and real cost scenarios.
10. Can I handle the import paperwork myself, or do I need a professional service?
The process requires coordinating with two separate government bodies at once — DVS for initial approval and MAQIS for the final import permit and KLAQS quarantine booking — on top of tight validity windows for each document. Many owners find the paperwork sequencing and deadline coordination difficult to manage alone, which is why our international pet relocation service handles the full DVS/MAQIS process end-to-end on their behalf.
11. What does my pet need to leave Malaysia later?
First, a Malaysian Pet Passport, registered at a state DVS office or an appointed clinic. Since 1 January 2024, every dog and cat exported from Malaysia must have one. DVS checks it before the export permit is issued. See our guide to the Malaysian Pet Passport and how to get it.
Daisy Expert Tip: Book Your KLAQS Slot Early
KLAQS quarantine space is genuinely limited, not just a formality — in one real Daisy Pet relocation, the client’s preferred flight date had to be pushed back a full week when the requested quarantine slot was already fully booked. Reserve your KLAQS slot as early as your document timeline allows, ideally 30-45 days before departure.
For the complete preparation timeline, see our Official Pet Shipping Timeline from Vietnam to Malaysia.
Last updated 16 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
