When your dog or cat crosses from Singapore into Malaysia via Tuas Second Link, a Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) inspection takes place on the Malaysian side of the checkpoint. The inspection itself is brief when your documents are correct. What causes delays — or refusals — is arriving with incomplete paperwork, a health certificate outside its validity window, or at a time when DVS officers are not on duty.
This guide covers what happens at the Malaysian checkpoint when your pet enters from Singapore. For the reverse process (importing a cat from Malaysia into Singapore at Tuas), see our Tuas Checkpoint cat import guide.
Which Checkpoint to Use
Pets crossing from Singapore into Malaysia by land must use Tuas Second Link (also called the Second Link or Tuas Checkpoint). The Malaysian side of this crossing is the Tanjung Kupang Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor.
Do not cross at Woodlands Causeway. The DVS inspection facility for live animal entries is not stationed at the Woodlands-Johor Bahru Causeway checkpoint. Arriving there with a pet requiring DVS clearance will result in being turned away and having to reroute to Tuas.
The drive from central Johor Bahru to Tuas Second Link takes approximately 40 to 60 minutes, longer than the Causeway route. Factor this into your travel plan.
Before the Checkpoint: Singapore Side
Before your pet exits Singapore at Tuas, Singapore Customs will verify your Singapore-side documents. Have these ready:
- Singapore AVS export licence (obtained via GoBusiness Licensing Portal, valid 90 days from issue)
- AVS-endorsed veterinary health certificate (original)
You pass through the Singapore checkpoint first, then cross into Malaysia and proceed to the Malaysian checkpoint area.
At the Malaysian Checkpoint: DVS Inspection
On the Malaysian side, DVS veterinary officers inspect pets entering Malaysia. The inspection has two components:
Document check: The DVS officer reviews your documents against each other. Every document must match — the microchip number on the health certificate must be identical to the number on the DVS import permit and vaccination records.
| Document | What the Officer Checks |
|---|---|
| Malaysia DVS import permit | Pre-approval reference and pet details |
| AVS-endorsed health certificate | Validity date, microchip number, vet signature, AVS endorsement |
| Rabies vaccination certificate | Current vaccination, microchip number present |
| Microchip implantation certificate | Chip number cross-reference |
Physical inspection: The officer briefly examines your pet — confirming the microchip scan matches the documents and that the animal shows no visible signs of illness. For most healthy pets travelling with complete documents, this takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Operating Hours
DVS officers are not on duty at Tanjung Kupang CIQ around the clock. Pets can only clear the Malaysian checkpoint during DVS operating hours.
What to do before you travel:
- Confirm current DVS operating hours at Tanjung Kupang CIQ by contacting DVS Johor directly
- Check the Malaysian public holiday calendar for Johor state — DVS services are typically unavailable on public holidays
- Plan your crossing for a weekday that is not a Malaysia public holiday
Crossing at a time when DVS is not on duty means your pet cannot be cleared. You will be held at the checkpoint or required to wait until the next operating period. In some cases, this means returning to Singapore and rescheduling.
Confirm current operating hours with DVS Johor before your travel date. Hours can change. This is one step where calling ahead prevents a preventable problem.
Documents to Have Ready at the Malaysian Checkpoint
Carry all documents in physical form. Have them accessible without digging through bags:
- Malaysia DVS import permit (printout or digital — confirm what the checkpoint accepts)
- AVS-endorsed veterinary health certificate (original)
- Rabies vaccination certificate (microchip number present)
- Full vaccination records
- Microchip implantation certificate or chip scan record
- Your passport or identity documents
Your pet should remain in its carrier or under control on a secure leash throughout the inspection process.
Health Certificate Validity: The Timing Trap
The veterinary health certificate has a short validity window. The QR-verifiable certificate (AVS Option 3b) is valid for only 7 days from the date of issue. The Malaysia DVS template endorsed by AVS (Option 3a) follows a similar constraint.
If you arrange the health certificate too early, it will be outside its valid window by the time you cross. The DVS officer will note the issue date and will not accept an expired certificate.
How to stay within the window:
- Book the vet appointment 7 to 10 days before your planned crossing date
- Submit for AVS endorsement immediately after the vet appointment (2 working days for Option 3a)
- Confirm the endorsed certificate date against your crossing date before you leave Singapore
Do not hold the certificate for a later crossing date if your plans change. A new vet appointment and a new AVS endorsement will be needed.
After DVS Clearance
Once your pet clears the DVS inspection, you continue into Malaysia. Unlike the reverse process — where cats entering Singapore from Malaysia go directly to 30-day quarantine at the AQC — there is no mandatory quarantine for pets entering Malaysia from Singapore. Your pet travels with you to your destination.
Keep the DVS clearance documentation and your import permit for your own records. In some cases, local authorities or residential management at your Malaysia destination may ask for proof of lawful import.
Common Mistakes at the Checkpoint
Using Woodlands Causeway. The DVS facility for live animal imports is at Tuas Second Link only. Woodlands does not process pet entries.
Crossing outside DVS operating hours. DVS operates on set hours, not 24/7. A Saturday night crossing or a crossing on a Malaysian public holiday may find no DVS officers on duty.
Health certificate outside the validity window. The date on the certificate matters to the DVS officer. A certificate dated more than 7 days before the crossing is expired.
DVS import permit not pre-obtained. You cannot apply for the permit at the checkpoint. It must be approved in advance via the DVS portal. Arriving without it means no entry for your pet.
Microchip number mismatch. If the number on the health certificate differs from the number on the DVS import permit or vaccination records by even one digit, the officer cannot confirm your pet's identity. This halts the inspection until the discrepancy is resolved — and it may not be resolvable on the day.
Pet not secure in carrier or on leash. Keep your pet contained throughout the inspection. A loose dog in a customs area creates welfare and safety concerns that delay the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the DVS inspection take? When documents are complete and consistent, the inspection typically takes 10 to 30 minutes. Incomplete documents, a microchip discrepancy, or an expired health certificate extend this significantly. Some owners with document problems have waited several hours while the checkpoint sought resolution.
Is a separate appointment needed for the DVS inspection in Malaysia? Unlike the Singapore CAPQ process (which requires a pre-booked appointment via iFAST), the Malaysian DVS inspection at Tanjung Kupang does not typically require a formal pre-booked slot. You present during operating hours with your pre-approved DVS import permit. Confirm the current procedure with DVS Johor before travel, as this can change.
What if my pet is unwell on crossing day? A pet showing visible signs of illness at the DVS inspection may be refused entry or held for further veterinary assessment. The health certificate states the pet was fit to travel at the time of the vet appointment — the DVS officer assesses current condition on the day. If your pet is unwell before travel, postpone the crossing.
Can I cross at Tuas Second Link at night? DVS operating hours are typically during business hours. A late evening or overnight crossing is likely to fall outside DVS hours, meaning your pet cannot be cleared. Check the current operating schedule with DVS Johor before planning a night crossing.
Does the DVS inspect both dogs and cats the same way? Yes, the inspection process is the same for both species. The documents required are also the same. The only dog-specific step is cancelling the Singapore PALS dog licence after the crossing, which is a Singapore administrative requirement unrelated to the Malaysian inspection.
What happens if the DVS officer refuses entry for my pet? This is rare when documents are complete and the pet is healthy. If entry is refused, you return to Singapore with your pet. Pawsport clients have a coordinator managing the document set to ensure nothing is missing or expired before the crossing day. Contact details for your coordinator are available if a checkpoint issue arises.
Planning to move your dog or cat from Singapore to Malaysia? The Pawsport SG to Malaysia land package covers the Singapore export licence, AVS health certificate, Malaysia DVS import permit, and JB land transport at a fixed SGD 1,350 all-in. For the full permit and document process, see our complete SG to Malaysia export guide.
Sources: Animal and Veterinary Service, Singapore (AVS), Malaysia Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Confirm DVS Johor operating hours and current inspection procedures before travel.