Singapore to Malaysia Pet Export: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Moving your dog or cat from Singapore to Malaysia by land is a straightforward process compared to most international pet relocation routes — but it still requires two sets of permits, a tightly timed health certificate, and a DVS inspection at the Johor Bahru customs crossing. Start the process at least four weeks before your move date.

Singapore-side requirements are sourced from avs.nparks.gov.sg. Malaysia-side requirements are sourced from Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) at dvs.gov.my. Always verify current requirements with both agencies before proceeding, as regulations can change.

What the Process Involves

Exporting a pet from Singapore to Malaysia requires action on both sides of the border:

There is no quarantine required in Malaysia for pets arriving from Singapore. Malaysia does not treat Singapore as a high-risk rabies country, so your pet crosses on the day you travel — provided all documents are in order.

Before You Start

Check your timeline. The health certificate has a short validity window and must be issued close to your travel date. Give yourself at least four weeks to handle the Singapore export licence, the Malaysia DVS import permit, and the health certificate in the right sequence.

Confirm your pet's vaccination status. Malaysia requires proof of a current rabies vaccination. If your pet has not been vaccinated for rabies or the vaccination has lapsed, this needs to be addressed before the process begins. Singapore is considered rabies-free, but Malaysia still requires proof of vaccination for incoming pets.

Confirm your pet's microchip. Your pet must have a working ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip. The microchip number must appear consistently on every document — the export licence, the health certificate, the DVS import permit. Any discrepancy will cause problems at the JB customs crossing.

Singapore Side: Two Documents Required

1. Singapore Export Licence

Apply for the export licence via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal (gobusiness.gov.sg). This is an AVS licence authorising your pet to leave Singapore.

The export licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Apply within 90 days of your planned crossing date — not too early, or it may expire before you travel.

After your pet crosses into Malaysia, cancel your dog's licence in the PALS portal (pals.avs.gov.sg). Cats do not currently require PALS licensing in Singapore, so no cancellation step applies.

2. AVS Veterinary Health Certificate

Your pet must be examined by a licensed private veterinarian in Singapore, who completes the health certificate in the Malaysia DVS format. You then submit it to AVS for government endorsement.

Two endorsement options:

Option 3a — Malaysia DVS template endorsed by AVS

• Vet completes Malaysia's standard certificate template
• Submit the original certificate, vaccination records, and your GoBusiness application number to the AVS drop-off box at Singapore Botanic Gardens (Raffles Building)
• AVS endorsement takes 2 working days
• This is the standard option for the land route to Malaysia

Option 3b — QR-verifiable certificate

• AVS converts your vet's health certificate into a QR-verifiable format via GoBusiness Licensing Portal
• Valid for 7 days from date of issue
• Self-print after approval

Timing the health certificate: The certificate must be obtained close to your travel date. Do not get it weeks in advance — the short validity window (7 days for Option 3b, or the Malaysia-side window for Option 3a) means you need to time the vet appointment carefully. Aim for the final 7–10 days before travel.

What the certificate must include:

• Pet's name, species, breed, sex, date of birth
• 15-digit microchip number (matching all other documents)
• Rabies vaccination details: brand, batch number, date administered
• Current vaccination history
• Health examination findings confirming the pet is fit to travel
• Singapore-registered vet's signature and stamp
• AVS government endorsement

Malaysia Side: DVS Import Permit

Before your pet enters Malaysia, you or your agent must obtain a DVS import permit from Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services. This permit authorises your pet's entry into Malaysia and is required for the JB customs inspection.

The permit is applied for via the DVS portal. You will need to provide:

• Pet details (species, breed, sex, microchip number)
• Singapore export licence details
• Health certificate details
• Your Malaysia destination address

Apply for the DVS import permit early — before you apply for the health certificate, so you are not waiting on Malaysia approval at the last minute. Your Pawsport coordinator manages this step as part of the SGD 1,350 all-in package.

Verify current DVS import permit requirements and processing times at dvs.gov.my before submitting.

The JB Customs Crossing

The land crossing from Singapore to Malaysia for pet transport is via Tuas Second Link (not Woodlands Causeway). Tuas is the designated checkpoint for animal transport and livestock movement.

At Tuas:

1. Present your Singapore export licence and AVS health certificate to Singapore customs
2. Cross into Malaysia via the Tuas-Tanjung Pelepas connection
3. At the Malaysia-side checkpoint, a DVS veterinary officer will inspect your pet and verify documents
4. Present the Malaysia DVS import permit, the AVS health certificate, and any supporting documents
5. Once cleared, transport continues to your destination in Malaysia

The DVS inspection at the checkpoint is typically straightforward when all documents are correct and in order. Pets are inspected briefly for visible signs of illness and to confirm microchip identity. If your DVS import permit has already been approved and your health certificate is current, the crossing is usually completed without significant delays.

Dogs vs. Cats: Is the Process Different?

The core process — Singapore export licence, AVS health certificate, Malaysia DVS import permit, Tuas crossing — applies to both dogs and cats. However, a few differences are worth noting:

If your dog is a breed commonly associated with restrictions in Malaysia (certain mastiff types, fighting breeds), confirm with Malaysia DVS before you commit to a move date. Most common companion dog breeds have no issues.

Full Timeline

Documents to Bring to the Crossing

• Singapore AVS export licence (original or certified copy)
• AVS-endorsed health certificate (original)
• Malaysia DVS import permit (printout or digital confirmation)
• Proof of rabies vaccination (microchip number must match)
• Microchip implantation certificate or scan record
• Pet's vaccination history

What Can Go Wrong (and How to Avoid It)

Wrong crossing checkpoint. Tuas Second Link is the correct crossing for pet transport, not Woodlands Causeway. Arriving at Woodlands with a pet requiring DVS inspection creates significant complications — there is no DVS facility there for this process.

Health certificate outside the validity window. If your certificate is too old at the time of crossing, the Malaysia DVS officer will not accept it. Time the vet appointment carefully.

DVS import permit not obtained in advance. You cannot arrive at the Malaysia border without the DVS import permit already approved. This is not something you can resolve at the checkpoint.

Microchip discrepancy. Any difference between the chip number on the health certificate and the number on the export licence or DVS import permit will trigger verification delays or refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a relocation agent for Singapore to Malaysia pet export? You are not legally required to use an agent. However, the process involves two government agencies in two countries, tight document timelines, and a checkpoint where errors cannot be corrected on the spot. Most owners managing their first SG-to-Malaysia move find that agent coordination removes significant uncertainty. The Pawsport SG to Malaysia package covers the export licence, AVS health certificate, DVS import permit, and land transport at a fixed SGD 1,350 all-in.

Is quarantine required when entering Malaysia from Singapore? No. Malaysia does not impose quarantine on pets arriving from Singapore. If your documents are in order, your pet travels through on the day of the crossing.

Does the health certificate need to be in Malay or English? English is accepted at the JB customs crossing. The standard Malaysia DVS health certificate template is available in English from your Singapore vet.

My pet has never had a rabies vaccination. Can I still export to Malaysia? Not without one. Rabies vaccination is a Malaysia DVS requirement for pet imports. Your Singapore vet can administer the vaccination, but you will need to allow time for the vaccination to be administered and documented before the health certificate is issued.

Can I use the QR-verifiable health certificate (Option 3b) for the land route? Yes, the QR-verifiable certificate is accepted for Malaysia. Note the 7-day validity from issue. If you choose this option, your vet appointment must happen within the final 7 days before crossing.

What is the Singapore export licence validity? 90 days from the date of issue. Apply within 90 days of your planned crossing date.

Leaving Singapore for Malaysia with your dog or cat? The Pawsport SG to Malaysia land package covers the export licence, AVS health certificate, Malaysia DVS import permit, and JB land transport at a fixed SGD 1,350 all-in, with no separate charges per document.

Sources: Animal and Veterinary Service, Singapore (AVS) and Malaysia Department of Veterinary Services (DVS). Verify current requirements with both agencies before proceeding.