Bring Pets from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong

In recent years, many Hong Kong residents who have worked, done business, retired or settled in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Kuching, return to Hong Kong due to family arrangements, work transfers or repatriation. Many wish to bring their beloved pets to live with them, so demand for pet importation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong keeps growing. Unlike European and American regions, Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching is classified as a Group 3A territory by the Hong Kong Government. Pets will be subject to a 30-day quarantine upon arrival, and the whole preparation process is lengthy with many formalities. Pet owners must plan well in advance.

To arrange smooth entry for pets travelling from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong, the following criteria must be satisfied: pet microchip, vaccinations, vaccination records, health certificate with AFCD endorsement, IATA-approved travel crate, Hong Kong pet import permit, and quarantine facility booking (30 days). For preparation, we recommend contacting us at least 9 months in advance, and your pet will require a minimum of 3 veterinary visits. Regarding entry mode: pets must arrive via air cargo or private aircraft. They cannot be transported as cabin baggage or standard checked luggage.

Pet Travel is your trusted Hong Kong pet relocation and pet travel company operating under Pet Travel Limited, holding Hong Kong Travel Agent Licence No. 354618. We are also the only service provider in Hong Kong with dual IATA accreditation as both Travel Agent and Cargo Agent, specialising exclusively in pet mobility services (IATA Travel Agent: 13335836 | IATA Cargo Agent: 13303910001). We deliver full one-stop pet relocation services for pets from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong, including dogs. For enquiries, please fill out our quotation request form or WhatsApp +852 6358 3131 directly to speak with our professional consultants.

Pet Relocation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong: Full Breakdown of Group 3A 30-Day Quarantine Requirements

The Hong Kong Government categorises source territories for imported animals into different groups. Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching falls under Group 3A. This means pets imported from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong are required to undergo 30 days of quarantine after landing. Compared with Group 1 and Group 2 countries, Group 3A has much stricter requirements. As Malaysia is a region with higher rabies risk, Hong Kong authorities require additional blood tests and quarantine inspection to verify the health status of imported animals.

First, your pet must be implanted with an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip acts as your pet’s ID; all vaccination records, blood test reports and health certificates must match the microchip number. Second, pets need rabies vaccine plus combination vaccines: dogs require a 5-in-1 vaccine and cats a 3-in-1 vaccine, with complete vaccination records retained. After rabies vaccination, there is a mandatory 21-day waiting period before the pet can be imported.

One critical note: for rabies-endemic regions such as China and Malaysia, pets for export need an additional rabies antibody test, namely rabies antibody titre test (RFFIT or RNATT), to check rabies antibody levels. Even if your pet passes the blood test, there is a further 3-month waiting period starting from the blood collection date before importation. This is why we recommend contacting us at least 9 months in advance for pet relocation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong. Blood testing, waiting periods, document endorsement, import permits and quarantine bookings are sequential and closely linked. Any mistake in one stage may force the entire timeline to restart.

For documentation: the animal health certificate must be completed and issued by an official or authorised veterinarian, then endorsed by the competent authority (AFCD endorsement). It should list the pet’s name, microchip number, animal identification and vaccination history. Its validity generally ranges from 1 to 14 days depending on the country, so the issue date must be carefully aligned with your flight schedule. In addition, a Hong Kong pet import permit must be secured beforehand, 30-day quarantine facility must be reserved, and transport must use an IATA-approved crate. Given the complicated procedures, engaging an experienced professional agency to handle the process is the safest option.

Process for Dogs Entering Hong Kong from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching: Step-by-Step Preparation for Microchip, Vaccinations & Blood Test

The core procedures for bringing dogs or cats from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching into Hong Kong are outlined below.

1. Microchip implantation: Your pet must receive an ISO-standard microchip, the foundation for all subsequent formalities.
2. Vaccination: Pets must receive rabies vaccine and wait the mandatory 21 days. Dogs also need the 5-in-1 vaccine and cats the 3-in-1 vaccine, with full vaccination records kept. We can guide you to complete microchipping, rabies and combination vaccinations at a local veterinary clinic in Malaysia.
3. Blood test and screening: Since Malaysia is a rabies high-risk region, pets must take the rabies antibody titre test (RFFIT / RNATT). A 3-month waiting period from blood sampling is required even after passing the test before entry.
4. Veterinary health check, animal health certificate and pre-flight treatment: A vet performs the health examination and issues the certificate, followed by AFCD endorsement and import permit application.
5. Book quarantine facilities (30 days): This is mandatory for Group 3A territories. Quarantine spaces are limited and must be reserved early.
6. Air transport arrangements: Book cargo space for the pet on the Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Hong Kong (HKG) route, prepare live animal shipper’s declaration and air waybill. An airline certificate (Captain’s Affidavit) may also be required for import and export in Hong Kong.

The whole preparation process for dogs entering Hong Kong from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching requires a minimum of 3 veterinary visits, and we recommend contacting us at least 9 months before departure. If departing from Sabah or Kuching with no direct flights to Hong Kong, connecting domestic flights or transfers will need to be arranged; associated fees and handling will require separate budgeting.

Many owners ask: does my pet need a pet passport? Pet passports apply to pets from the USA, UK and EU countries. For Hong Kong entry, however, an animal health certificate replaces the pet passport for import and export clearance. Pet Travel’s professional team will verify every document detail, ensuring lawful procedures and complete paperwork for a smooth relocation.

Notes for Shipping Dogs from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong: Documentation, Travel Crates & Airline Requirements

Owners planning to ship dogs from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong must pay close attention to several details beyond basic microchipping, vaccinations, blood tests and health certificates. First, airline document requirements: airlines require the original veterinary health certificate, your pet’s vaccination records, live animal shipper’s declaration and air waybill for cargo. Without proper documents, local customs will reject import, and your pet may face extended quarantine, entry refusal or repatriation. Airlines will only confirm cargo booking once all paperwork is verified.

Second, crate selection: dogs shipped from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong must use IATA-approved crates. There are strict measurement guidelines:

• Length = animal’s nose-to-base-of-tail measurement (A) + half the ground-to-elbow height (B)
• Width = twice the shoulder width or widest point (C)
• Height = floor-to-top-of-head or ear-tip height in natural standing posture (D)

Special note: brachycephalic breeds require crates 10% larger. Flat-faced animals such as Pugs and Exotic Shorthair cats have shorter nasal passages and weaker respiratory systems. Some airlines restrict their carriage during certain months. Owners are generally advised to choose one size up for improved airflow.

Regarding transport safety: pets shipped as air cargo are not stored alongside general freight. They are housed in dedicated climate-controlled pet holds with the same air circulation system as the passenger cabin, maintaining stable temperatures to prevent overheating or chilling. Each pet gets sufficient separation, space and ventilation. To reduce travel stress, we select the most direct route to minimise transit time. You may also consider natural pheromone products such as animal aromatherapy to help your pet stay calm. In addition, all airlines recommend removing any collars from pets due to choking hazards. Feeding is not recommended on the morning before departure to lower the risk of vomiting or defecation during transit. Relocating dogs from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong involves many fine details; entrusting coordination to Pet Travel’s professionals greatly reduces risks of mistakes.

Costs for Pets Entering Hong Kong from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching: Service Quotation & Quarantine Charges

Many pet owners are most concerned about the cost of bringing pets from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong. Our service pricing is as follows:

• First pet: HK$28,600 onwards (#200 crate, volumetric weight 34KG)
• Each additional pet: HK$18,800 onwards (#200 crate, volumetric weight 34KG)
• HK$200 per kilogram for excess estimated volumetric cargo weight

The quotation covers key items required for Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching-to-Hong Kong pet relocation: arrangements for ISO microchip, rabies and combination vaccinations (guided by us at a local clinic; clinic fees are excluded from the quote); blood testing, pet health examination, animal health certificate, pre-flight treatment, veterinary fees, AFCD endorsement, import permit paperwork, quarantine booking; cargo charges and export clearance (KUL to HKG); Hong Kong airport customs clearance, airport levies and transfer to quarantine centre; plus Pet Travel service fee, document fee, communication fee and IATA-approved pet crate.

Items not included (for budget reference only):

1. Quarantine centre fees (choose one):

• AFCD Hong Kong quarantine (30 days): HK$90 per day per dog (approx. HK$2,700), HK$46 per day per cat (approx. HK$1,380)
• SPCA Hong Kong quarantine (30 days): HK$350 per day per dog (starting from approx. HK$11,140), HK$300 per day per cat (starting from approx. HK$9,640)
  2. Local veterinary clinic, government or airport transfers (can be arranged on request)
  3. Pre-departure pet boarding (can be arranged on request)
  4. Domestic connecting flights, transit fees, handling and transport if there is no direct flight to Hong Kong
  5. If arriving after 13:00, pets need to stay at airport quarantine centre before transfer, extra HK$2,000 applies
  6. Post-quarantine home delivery from quarantine centre (can be arranged on request)

Owners often ask why pet air cargo costs more. Animal air transport incurs higher labour costs to safeguard animal welfare, pricing depends on pet size, plus extra handling and customs charges. Airline cargo rates also vary by route, destination and fuel costs. Pet Travel guarantees transparent pricing with zero hidden charges. If you plan to ship dogs or cats from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong, complete our quotation request form. We will create a custom pet relocation plan and list all charges clearly.

Choose Pet Travel for Pet Relocation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong: Full-Service Agency & Professional Advantages

Why hire a professional agency for pet relocation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong instead of handling it yourself? Self-application is possible and some owners choose DIY to save money. However, Group 3A procedures are complex and take more than 9 months, covering blood tests, waiting periods, endorsements, import permits and quarantine reservations. Without familiarity with pet import and export regulations, mistakes can cause suffering for your pet and unexpected extra expenses. Our service saves you significant time, stress and hassle. We manage all paperwork; pet relocation has been our core expertise for many years.

Pet Travel can handle the following on your behalf: designing the optimal travel plan and full solutions for your pet’s relocation from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong; supplying IATA-approved crates for safe transit; pet pick-up from your nominated location; managing all formalities for international pet travel and relocation; preparing and processing all pet export and import documents; selecting the best route, booking flights and completing pet cargo procedures; reserving quarantine spaces and liaising with customs import department; and customs clearance at destination plus transfer to quarantine centre.

Our consultant team comprises qualified veterinarians, import and export specialists, pet freight experts and solution designers. Pet Travel maintains long-term partnerships with reputable veterinary clinics. Our partner vets have extensive quarantine experience and full knowledge of all quarantine procedures for dogs and cats entering Hong Kong from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching. Our pet transport specialists are familiar with pet carriage rules of major airlines and private aircraft operators, assigning dedicated staff to oversee customs declaration and boarding throughout the journey. Our consultants provide one-on-one support and track the entire journey from initial enquiry through to final shipment, delivering regular real-time updates on your pet’s status.

Besides commercial airline services, we also arrange pet travel aboard private jets including Bombardier Global 6000, Challenger 850, Challenger 605, Challenger 350, Gulfstream G650 ER, G550 and G450, the premium choice for distinguished pet journeys. We also offer land transport for safe cross-border transfers to Macau and mainland China.

Whether arranging cargo and customs clearance for pets shipped from Malaysia / Sabah / Kuching to Hong Kong or coordinating all documents and quarantine bookings, Pet Travel cares for your pets as if they were our own. Pet safety and comfort remain our top priority. Our office is at Room 01, 9/F, Cheung Kee Building, 84-86 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Fill in our quotation request form, send us your contact details, or WhatsApp +852 6358 3131 to speak with our professional consultants. Pet Travel – helping your pet enter Hong Kong safely and comfortably with ease.