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Pet Travel from the UK to Malaysia: Dog & Cat Import Requirements

Planning to export your dog or cat to Malaysia? UK pets must meet strict import requirements, including microchipping, rabies vaccination, an approved Malaysia import permit, and an official Export Health Certificate (EHC 3914). We guide you through each step to ensure full compliance with MAQIS regulations and a smooth arrival process.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Your Dog or Cat from the UK to Malaysia

Step 1 – Check Breed Restrictions Before Applying

Malaysia operates strict breed controls. Certain breeds are prohibited, while others are restricted and require special written approval from the Director General of MAQIS before applying for an import permit.

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🚫 Prohibited Breeds (Import Not Allowed)

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The following breeds cannot be imported into Malaysia:

  • Akita

  • American Bulldog

  • Dogo Argentino

  • Fila Brasileiro

  • Japanese Tosa

  • Neapolitan Mastiff

  • Pit Bull–type breeds (including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier)

 

⚠️ Restricted Breeds (Special Approval Required)

 

The following breeds are subject to additional controls and written approval:

  • Bull Mastiff

  • Bull Terrier

  • Doberman

  • German Shepherd (including Belgian and East European Shepherd types)

  • Perro de Presa Canario

  • Rottweiler

 

For restricted breeds, owners must:

  • Obtain written approval from MAQIS before applying for the import permit

  • Provide an official breed certificate from an approved organisation

  • Ensure ISO-compliant microchip identification

  • Declare the dog is a personal pet (not for resale)

  • Confirm appropriate housing and control measures in Malaysia

 

Failure to obtain the required approval may result in refusal of entry.

Step 2 — Confirm your pet is microchipped (before anything else)

Dogs and cats travelling to Malaysia must be identified with a microchip.

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Requirements:

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  • Must be ISO standard (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)

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  • Microchip number must be clearly recorded on all paperwork and the Export Health Certificate

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  • If a non-ISO chip is used, the owner/agent must provide a compatible scanner at arrival in Malaysia

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Best practice: verify the chip reads correctly before starting the export process.

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Step 3 – Apply for the Malaysia Import Permit (Owner Step – Apply Early)

Malaysia requires an approved import permit before any dog or cat can enter the country. The permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, so timing is important.

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The permit is issued by the Department of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS).

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Owners may apply directly via the official registration portal, or alternatively appoint a MAQIS-registered pet relocation agent to submit the application on their behalf (send an email requesting the list).

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Processing times can vary, so we strongly recommend applying early in your planning process to avoid delays.

You will typically need:

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  • Owner details

  • Pet details

  • Microchip number

  • Vaccination records

  • Proposed travel dates

 

⚠️ The UK Export Health Certificate must match the approved import permit exactly. Any discrepancies can result in delays or refusal of entry.

You will need to have the original copy with you during your transportation.

Step 4 — Check residency eligibility (owner declaration required)

Malaysia requires proof of UK residency status before export.

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The owner/exporter must sign written declarations for the Official Veterinarian confirming one of the following applies:

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Either:

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For pets under 6 months old

  • resident in the UK since birth

  • mother was UK-resident for at least 6 months before birth

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OR

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For pets over 6 months old

  • continuously resident in the UK for at least 6 months before export

 

And also confirm:

  • the pet is not under quarantine restriction

  • the pet was not imported from a rabies-endemic country within the last 6 months

 

These declarations are signed by the owner and kept on file by the certifying OV.

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Step 5 — Vaccinations and parasite control (pre-export prep)

Your certifying vet will review that:

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  • be up to date with core vaccinations (administered within the last 12 months)

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  • be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel

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  • parasite control is appropriate where required

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  • only licensed veterinary medicines are used for any treatments recorded on the certificate

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Exact vaccine timing should be aligned with your Malaysia import permit conditions.

Step 6 — Notifiable disease clearance (OV step)

Before certification, the Official Veterinarian must obtain notifiable disease clearance from the Animal Health authority.

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This is an internal veterinary step — owners don’t apply — but it affects timing.


Allow a little buffer before your final certification appointment.

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Step 7 — Request the Export Health Certificate (EHC 3914) at the right time

The correct certificate for Malaysia is:

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EHC 3914 — Export of Dogs and Cats to Malaysia

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This should be requested through the UK EHC Online (EHCO) system.

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Best timing:

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  • request when your import permit is approved

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  • and when you are moving into the final planning phase

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  • typically 3–4 weeks before planned travel

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Requesting too early can cause timing conflicts. Too late risks missing your flight window.

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We normally guide clients on exact timing to keep certification valid and aligned.

Step 8 — Book flights (after permit + EHC request in progress)

Only book flights when:

  • Malaysia import permit is approved

  • EHC process is underway

  • a certifying OV appointment is scheduled

 

Flight rules to follow:

  • use an airline that accepts pets to Malaysia

  • book as manifested cargo where required

  • use an IATA-approved travel crate

  • check airline breed/temperature rules

 

Avoid booking non-refundable flights before certification timing is confirmed.

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Step 9 — Final clinical examination (within 48 hours of departure)

Malaysia requires a clinical examination within 48 hours of embarkation.

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At this appointment, the Official Veterinarian must confirm:

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  • pet shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease

  • no signs consistent with rabies or distemper

  • free from significant external parasites

  • fit to travel

  • microchip scans correctly

 

This exam is recorded on the Export Health Certificate.

 

This is your key certification appointment — timing is strict.

Step 10 — Owner signs final declarations (same visit as certification)

At or before the certification visit, the owner/exporter must sign:

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  • UK residency declaration (see Step 3)

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  • rabies-country history declaration

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  • non-quarantine status declaration

 

The Official Veterinarian keeps these on record as supporting evidence for certification.

 

No signed declarations = certificate cannot be issued.

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Step 11 — Export Health Certificate issued and endorsed

After the final exam and paperwork review:

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The Official Veterinarian will:

  • complete and sign EHC 3914

  • apply the OV stamp (not black ink)

  • record the microchip number

  • include required treatment and health statements

 

Record keeping:

  • OV retains copies for 2 years

  • EHCO portal status must be completed where applicable

 

You receive the original certificate — this must travel with the animal.

Step 12 — Travel day requirements

On travel day:

  • pet travels in IATA-compliant crate

  • original certificate and supporting documents travel with the pet

  • airline welfare and transport rules must be followed

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Transport must comply with:

  • UK animal welfare transport law

  • IATA Live Animal Regulations

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Step 13 — On arrival in Malaysia

At arrival:

  • microchip is checked

  • import permit is reviewed

  • health certificate is inspected

  • any scanner needed for non-ISO chip must be provided by owner/agent

 

Failure to match documents to permit conditions can result in:

  • entry refusal

  • quarantine

  • re-export at owner cost

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