MalaysiaMalaysia applies a mandatory 7-day quarantine but small pets can travel in-cabin or as checked baggage on the same flight with their owner.
Last updated 18 Oct 2026i
DVS and MAQIS jointly enforce Malaysia’s biosecurity rules. Understanding these 3 points first will save you weeks of planning time.
DVS does not require Rabies Titer Test for import cat and dog
Pet can travel in-cabin, as checked baggage or manifest cargo
Minimum quarantine 7 days at KLAQS is must but can extend to 6 months depend on pet status
Vietnam is classified as a Non-Scheduled Country, so all pets must complete the standard DVS/MAQIS compliance framework below before departure.
Use a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip, implanted before any vaccination is registered. Pets must be at least 3 months old at import, with a valid rabies vaccination administered prior to export.
Not strictly mandated by DVS for Peninsular Malaysia. If you choose to submit one for extra assurance, results (≥ 0.5 IU/ml) strengthen your document profile but add 8-12 weeks to your timeline.
Mandatory before departure, issued within 1-2 business days once documents are complete, and valid for approximately 60 days.
A minimum 7-day stay at the Kuala Lumpur Animal Quarantine Station is mandatory. Space is limited — book as early as possible, since a full slot can push your flight back by weeks. See the Malaysia Pet Quarantine KLAQS Guide.
Internal and external parasite treatments plus a final clinical exam must occur within 7 days prior to flight. The Vietnam Department of Animal Health then issues the official export Health Certificate.
Pets under ~32 kg (with crate) can fly as Checked Baggage on the owner’s own flight. Larger or unaccompanied pets travel as Manifest Cargo via MASkargo. Neither method allows in-cabin travel.
If your pet already has valid core vaccinations, this process can realistically be completed in 4-6 weeks.
Implant a 15-digit ISO chip before the rabies vaccine. Complete core vaccinations (DHPPi for dogs, FVRCP for cats).
Apply for the DVS/MAQIS Import Permit and reserve your KLAQS quarantine slot in parallel — book early, as slots fill up during peak seasons.
Not required for Peninsular Malaysia, but adds 8-12 weeks if chosen for extra document assurance.
Choose Checked Baggage or Manifest Cargo based on your pet’s size.
Within 7 days of departure, complete the final clinical exam, parasite treatments, and obtain the official Export Health Certificate from Vietnam’s Department of Animal Health.
Land at KLIA, clear MAQIS customs, and transfer to KLAQS for the mandatory quarantine stay. Our local agent coordinates the ground transition and delivery after release.
Vietnam Airlines and Malaysia Airlines both fly direct from SGN and HAN to KUL — a major advantage over destinations that require transit.
| Airline | Route | Brachycephalic Restrictions | Summer Embargo Risk | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines |
Route
Direct SGN/HAN → KUL (AVIH specialist) |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
Restricted, case-by-case |
Summer Embargo Risk
Low on this short route |
Reliability
★★★★★ |
| Malaysia Airlines (MASkargo) |
Route
Direct SGN/HAN → KUL (AVIH or Cargo) |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
Banned in cargo hold |
Summer Embargo Risk
Embargo above 85°F/29.4°C |
Reliability
★★★★★ |
| Singapore Airlines |
Route
Via SIN (from DAD or premium transit) |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
Restricted, case-by-case |
Summer Embargo Risk
Low, climate-controlled transit |
Reliability
★★★★☆ |
DVS strictly prohibits Pit Bull Terriers (and related Staffordshire types), American Bulldog, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and Neapolitan Mastiff. No permit will be issued for these breeds.
German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Bull Mastiff, and Bull Terrier require written pre-approval from the Director General of DVS, plus a premises inspection and public muzzling commitment.
Four cases showing the shipping methods available for the Vietnam-to-Malaysia route.
A 35kg Golden Retriever flown from Da Nang via SGN to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines cargo, including a crate-sizing fix and a custom diet during quarantine.
Two Ragdoll cats flew as Checked Baggage from Hanoi to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines, escorted by a Daisy Pet staff member instead of the owner.
A cabin bag that proved too small forced a last-minute switch to checked baggage, plus a quarantine mix-up between Malaysia’s state and private facilities.
A six-year-old cat flew in the cabin on Vietnam Airlines VN679. A collar-mounted microchip was caught and fixed two days before departure, followed by 11 days in a private quarantine facility in Sepang.
Malaysia is a short flight from Vietnam, so in-cabin travel is available to more pets than on longer routes.
Travels in the cabin with the owner, in a soft-sided carrier under the seat.
Flies on the same flight as the owner, in the temperature-controlled hold.
Does not fly with the owner, with fewer limits on weight and size.
Applied to every pet flying the Malaysia route.
Eight weeks and fully weaned is the floor for carriage, and some airlines set it higher. Cabin allowances count pet and crate together. Pregnant animals are not accepted.
IATA and IPATA both advise against sedation, and a pet known to be sedated can be refused at the counter. Crate conditioning on a six-week schedule does that work instead.
Expert handling of DVS/MAQIS documentation, KLAQS quarantine reservations, and ground clearance at KLIA.
Last updated 18 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.