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About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Marco is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Sabah requires an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination, a rabies titer test with a 30-day waiting period, a health certificate issued within 7 days of travel, and an import permit. Quarantine is required for 14 days. Breed restrictions apply. Build my pet’s travel plan →
Who sets the rules here
Sabah sets its own pet-import rules. The national rules of Malaysia do not apply here.
Official source
vet.sabah.gov.my
Relationship to Malaysia
sets its own rules
How Sabah handles your pet
Key points
Authority: Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sabah, Quarantine & Import-Export Section, confirmed by its Senior Assistant Director on 2026-10-27
The department says it is reviewing and updating its import conditions, so check again before you travel
Import licence: Required for every dog and cat entering Sabah, including from outside Malaysia
Apply through the Davetsa Exim system (exim.davetsa.sabah.gov.my) well before arrival
Quarantine booking first: Since 1 May 2026 a quarantine booking must be made through the department's booking form and approved before you can apply for the licence
Rabies antibody test: Compulsory, at a laboratory endorsed by DVS Sabah (13 countries listed, plus the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh for pets that have lived in West Malaysia for at least 6 months)
Arriving from Sarawak: The same conditions as for other countries apply, including the antibody test
Health certificate: Valid 7 days from the date of issue and must still be valid at shipment
Parasite treatment: Internal (including tapeworms) and external parasites, within 15 days before shipment
Microchip: Compulsory; the number must be recorded in the veterinary documents
Dogs: A Leishmania test is not required; banned breeds are refused entry and restricted breeds must be neutered
Cats: No breed restrictions
Quarantine: Minimum 14 days at Kinarut, with inspection at the MAS Cargo office at Kota Kinabalu airport
Pets from West Malaysia or Labuan: They have their own conditions
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Health & documents
Microchip · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Microchip · StandardISO compatible reader (Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader)verified 2026-11-09
Quarantine · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Quarantine · Duration14 daysverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list
Canada - Centre of Expertise for Rabies, CFIA/ACIA Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield
France - ANSES, Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife (Nancy)
Germany - Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (Greifswald)
India - KVAFSU-CVA Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory (Bangalore)
Israel - Kimron Veterinary Institute (Beit Dagan)
Italy - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Legnaro)
Korea (Rep. of) - Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (Gimcheon-si)
Mexico - Centro Nacional de Servicios de Diagnostico en Salud Animal (Tecamac)
People's Republic of China - Prof. Changchun Tu
Romania - National Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health (Bucharest)
South Africa - Rabies Unit, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
United Kingdom - Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge)
United States of America - CDC Poxvirus and Rabies Branch (Atlanta)
Malaysia - Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh - only for pets resident in West Malaysia since birth or for at least 6 months before export to Sabah
verified 2026-10-27
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml0.5verified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months24 monthsverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days30 daysverified 2026-11-09
Microchip · StandardISO compatible reader (Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader)verified 2026-11-09
Quarantine · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Quarantine · Duration14 daysverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list
Canada - Centre of Expertise for Rabies, CFIA/ACIA Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield
France - ANSES, Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife (Nancy)
Germany - Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (Greifswald)
India - KVAFSU-CVA Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory (Bangalore)
Israel - Kimron Veterinary Institute (Beit Dagan)
Italy - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Legnaro)
Korea (Rep. of) - Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (Gimcheon-si)
Mexico - Centro Nacional de Servicios de Diagnostico en Salud Animal (Tecamac)
People's Republic of China - Prof. Changchun Tu
Romania - National Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health (Bucharest)
South Africa - Rabies Unit, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
United Kingdom - Animal and Plant Health Agency (Weybridge)
United States of America - CDC Poxvirus and Rabies Branch (Atlanta)
Malaysia - Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh - only for pets resident in West Malaysia since birth or for at least 6 months before export to Sabah
verified 2026-10-27
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml0.5verified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months24 monthsverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required✓ Yesverified 2026-11-09
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Waiting period after test days30 daysverified 2026-11-09
Is there a quarantine period for pets entering Sabah?
Yes, Sabah requires quarantine for imported pets. The quarantine period is 14 days. Exemptions may apply based on your origin country. Check your specific case at www.pawgo.fr.
Yes, Sabah requires an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip must typically be implanted before rabies vaccination. Get your full checklist at www.pawgo.fr.
What health certificate does Sabah require for pets?
Sabah requires a veterinary health certificate for imported pets. It must be issued within 7 days of travel. Government endorsement is required. Get exact document requirements at www.pawgo.fr.
Yes, Sabah requires a rabies titer test (FAVN). There is a 30-day waiting period after the test. Results must show ≥0.5 IU/ml. Plan your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.
Yes, Sabah has breed-specific restrictions. Restricted breeds include: Akita, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, Canary Dog, Dogo Argentino. Check if your breed is affected at www.pawgo.fr.
