KR
South Korea
✈️
MY
Malaysia

Pet Transport from South Korea to Malaysia

The key variable on this route is Malaysia's DVS classification of South Korea. If South Korea is a non-scheduled country for DVS purposes, the full FAVN titre test pathway applies: 3-month wait, 14+ days quarantine and dual permits. If DVS …

NoneQuarantine on arrival
High routeExpert coordination essential
8-24 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
Lead time needed
8-24 weeks
Quarantine
Not required
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Step by step

The South Korea to Malaysia pet import process

Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.

1
Contact DVS Malaysia to confirm South Korea's classification and whether titre test is required
Responsible: Owner or Malaysian agent
First step before any other preparation
2
Administer rabies vaccination
Responsible: APQA-authorised vet
At least 30 days before planned travel or titre test blood draw
3
Draw blood for FAVN titre test (if required by DVS)
Responsible: Vet and OIE-approved lab
At least 30 days after rabies vaccination
4
Apply for DVS pre-approval and MAQIS import permit
Responsible: Owner or Malaysian agent
Allow 2-4 weeks for processing
5
Observe 3-month wait from successful titre result (if titre test required)
Responsible: Owner
90 days from test result date
6
Parasite treatment
Responsible: Vet
2-7 days before departure
7
APQA export health certificate
Responsible: APQA-authorised vet
Within 14 days of travel
8
Book Korean Air or Asiana Cargo
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 microchip required.
Rabies vaccination
Required at least 30 days before entry. South Korea is not classified as rabies-free, so vaccination is mandatory.
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required for pets from non-scheduled countries. South Korea's classification by DVS Malaysia should be confirmed; if classified as a non-scheduled country, the full 3-month wait applies. Contact DVS Malaysia to confirm.
Quarantine
Minimum 14 days at a DVS government quarantine station (revised December 2024). Duration based on risk classification.
Import permit
DVS pre-approval and MAQIS import permit required before travel.
Health certificate
APQA health certificate issued within 14 days of travel.
Export permit (South Korea)
No formal export permit required for pet cats and dogs leaving South Korea.
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test South Korea (if required): KRW 100,000-250,000 at OIE-approved lab (USD 75-190)
APQA health certificate: KRW 30,000-80,000
Rabies vaccination South Korea: KRW 15,000-40,000
Korean Air or Asiana Cargo ICN to KUL: USD 600-1,700 depending on crate
DVS quarantine Malaysia 14 days: approximately RM 400-800
MAQIS permit: RM 200-400
Malaysian agent (recommended): USD 400-800
Total typical range: USD 1,500-4,000 depending on whether titre test applies

Critical points to read before you book

The most important first step is confirming with DVS Malaysia whether South Korea is classified as a scheduled or non-scheduled country. This determines whether the 90-day titre test wait is required and shapes the entire timeline.

Do not assume the titre test is waived for South Korea. DVS classification lists can change. Confirm the current position before beginning.

Malaysia updated its quarantine period in December 2024. Minimum quarantine is now 14 days. Confirm this is still current before booking.

Both DVS pre-approval and MAQIS import permit must be in hand before travel. Arriving without permits leads to detention.

Malaysia's breed bans are enforced at KLIA. Check whether your breed is on the restricted list before committing to this route.

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.

Korean Air
Korean Air operates ICN (Seoul Incheon) to KUL (Kuala Lumpur) direct. Small pets under 7 kg (including carrier) may travel in-cabin on some routes; confirm for this specific route. Larger pets in hold cargo via Korean Air Cargo.
Cargo and Cabin
Asiana Airlines
Asiana (OZ) operates ICN to KUL with cargo for live animals. Contact Asiana Cargo for live animal booking. IATA-compliant crate required.
Cargo Only
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines operates KUL to ICN direct. MASKargo handles live animal shipments. Practical option given its KLIA arrival hub familiarity.
Cargo Only

Why DVS classification matters on this route

Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services divides origin countries by disease risk. ‘Scheduled countries’ face lighter requirements for entry; non-scheduled countries must go through the FAVN titre test with a 90-day wait before entry. South Korea is not a rabies-free country (it has low but not zero rabies incidence), which means it may or may not be on the scheduled list.

Call or email DVS Malaysia directly, or use a Malaysian pet relocation agent, to confirm South Korea’s current status on the DVS classification list. This is the single most important piece of information for planning this move, because it determines whether you are looking at 8 weeks or 24 weeks of preparation time.

If the titre test applies, the 90-day wait is firm and begins from the date of a successful test result. If the result fails (below 0.5 IU/ml), the vaccination protocol restarts and the wait resets. Get this answer before committing to a travel date.

DVS pre-approval, MAQIS permit and quarantine at KLIA

Whether or not a titre test is required, the two permits for Malaysian entry remain the same: DVS pre-approval and a MAQIS import permit. Both must be obtained before the pet is shipped from Seoul.

On arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the pet goes to the DVS government quarantine station. As of December 2024, the minimum quarantine period is 14 days. The quarantine cost is approximately RM 400-800 for the standard 14-day period.

Working with a Malaysian pet relocation agent from the start of the process means you have someone at the KLIA end who can liaise with DVS and the quarantine station, help manage permit submissions and keep you informed of any changes to regulations.

Airlines from Seoul to Kuala Lumpur

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines both operate direct services from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KUL). Korean Air’s cargo service has strong live animal handling procedures across its network. Asiana’s cargo division is also established on this corridor.

Korean Air allows small pets in the cabin on some international routes (under 7 kg including carrier). Confirm whether this applies to the ICN-KUL route specifically on your travel dates. For medium and large dogs, hold cargo is standard. Book cargo space four to six weeks ahead.

Malaysia Airlines also serves this route from KLIA, which means MASKargo is available if you prefer to arrange the cargo from the Malaysian end. Any of the three carriers provides direct routing, which is preferable to connections for live animal cargo.

FAQ

Common questions about South Korea to Malaysia pet transport

Possibly. Whether the FAVN titre test and 3-month wait apply depends on how Malaysia’s DVS classifies South Korea. This is the first thing to confirm with DVS Malaysia before planning. Do not assume the test is either required or waived; get a current answer from DVS.
Minimum 14 days at a DVS government quarantine station at KLIA, as of December 2024. The period can be extended at DVS discretion. Confirm the current minimum with DVS or your Malaysian agent before booking.
DVS pre-approval from the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services and a MAQIS import permit from Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services. Both must be in hand before the pet is shipped. A pet arriving without these permits will be detained.
Yes. Malaysia prohibits American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers and their crosses. Check the full DVS breed restriction list to confirm whether your breed is permitted before booking.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →
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Route at a glance
FromSouth Korea
ToMalaysia
Prep time8-24 weeks
ComplexityHigh
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