Shipping a dog or cat from India to Malaysia rewards owners who start planning early. Expect around 20-28 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. Factor in 14 days of quarantine at the destination.
The …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from India to Malaysia
typically takes around 20-28 weeks.
Expect 14 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The India to Malaysia pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is in place
Responsible: Vet
Before vaccination if not already chipped
2
Administer rabies vaccination
Responsible: DAHD-authorised vet
Must be at least 30 days before blood draw for titre test
3
Draw blood for FAVN titre test
Responsible: Vet and approved lab
Minimum 30 days after rabies vaccination
4
Apply for DVS pre-approval and MAQIS import permit
Responsible: Owner or agent
After titre test is submitted; allow 2-4 weeks for permits
5
Observe 3-month wait from successful titre result
Responsible: Owner
90 days from date of successful result
6
Parasite treatment (internal and external)
Responsible: Vet
2-7 days before departure
7
DAHD official health certificate
Responsible: DAHD-authorised vet
Within 14 days of departure
8
Book Air India Cargo or MASKargo space
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks before travel
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Malaysia
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip required.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum 30 days before entry into Malaysia.
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required for pets from India (a non-scheduled country). Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. A 3-month wait applies from the date of a successful result before the pet may travel. Result valid for 12 months if rabies boosters are kept current.
Quarantine
Mandatory. Minimum 14 days at a Malaysian government DVS quarantine station. Quarantine can be extended on a risk-assessment basis.
Import permit
DVS (Department of Veterinary Services) pre-approval required. A MAQIS (Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services) import permit is also required before travel.
Health certificate
Official health certificate valid 14 days from issue. Must include vaccination records, microchip number and titre test reference.
Export permit (India)
No formal export permit required for pet cats and dogs leaving India, but AQCS export clearance is needed.
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test India: approximately USD 200-350 depending on city and lab
Rabies and core vaccinations: INR 500-2,000 per course
DAHD health certificate: INR 2,000-5,000
DVS/MAQIS import permits: RM 200-400 (owner typically arranges via Malaysian agent)
Air India or MASKargo freight from India to KUL: USD 700-1,800 depending on crate dimensions
Malaysian DVS quarantine station fees: approximately RM 400-800 for 14 days
Pet relocation agent India: USD 500-1,000 (strongly recommended given permit complexity)
Total typical range: USD 2,000-4,500 for a medium-sized dog
Critical points to read before you book
India is a non-scheduled country for Malaysian DVS. The full titre test pathway with 3-month wait applies. There is no shortcut or exemption.
The 3-month wait begins from the date of a successful titre test result, not from the vaccination date. Drawing blood too early (less than 30 days after vaccination) invalidates the test.
Malaysia updated its quarantine rules in December 2024. Minimum quarantine is now 14 days for all non-scheduled countries. Confirm the current quarantine duration with DVS directly before booking.
Certain breeds are banned in Malaysia. A dog that meets the description of a banned breed may be refused entry at KLIA even with full documentation.
The MAQIS import permit must be secured before the pet is shipped. Arriving without a permit leads to detention and potential deportation of the animal.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIR INDIA
Air India
Air India operates direct and one-stop services from DEL (Delhi) and BOM (Mumbai) to KUL (Kuala Lumpur). Pets travel as cargo. Booking through Air India Cargo. IATA-compliant crate required.
Cargo Only
MALAYSIA
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines (MH) operates direct routes from BOM and DEL to KUL. MASKargo handles pet shipments. Book MASKargo space at least 4-6 weeks before departure for large pets.
Cargo Only
INDIGO
IndiGo
IndiGo does not offer international pet cargo services to Malaysia. Not suitable for this route.
Not Suitable
What Malaysia requires
Bringing a pet into Malaysia involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
FAQ
Common questions about India to Malaysia pet transport
Yes. India is a non-scheduled country for Malaysian DVS purposes, which means the FAVN titre test is mandatory. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, the result must reach 0.5 IU/ml or above, and a 90-day wait applies from the date of a successful result. There is no exemption from this requirement.
As of December 2024, the minimum quarantine period at the Malaysian DVS government station is 14 days. The period can be extended at DVS discretion. Confirm the current policy with DVS directly before shipping.
No. Rottweilers are on Malaysia’s breed-specific ban list. Several other breeds are also prohibited, including Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. A dog of any prohibited breed will be refused entry at KLIA regardless of documentation.
Two permits are required: DVS pre-approval (from the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services) and a MAQIS import permit (from Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services). Both must be obtained before the pet is shipped. Arriving without these permits results in detention and potentially the return of the animal.
Airline guides
Air India
Malaysia Airlines
IndiGo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.