Can I take my dog to Johor for the day?

You can, but it takes real planning. You need an AVS export licence, Malaysia’s entry requirements, and on the way back AVS treats your dog as a Malaysian import. That means a rabies blood test at least 90 days before and 30 days of quarantine. For a day trip, a sitter is usually easier.

My dog has never had a rabies vaccine. Can we leave next week?

Probably not for most destinations. Many need a rabies vaccine a set number of days before arrival, and some need a blood test afterwards. Ask your vet, with the destination’s current rules in hand, so you can plan a realistic date.

Does the export licence let my pet back into Singapore automatically?

No. AVS treats a returning pet as a new import from the country it visited. Check the AVS import rules for that country before you leave, so the trip home goes smoothly.

Taking your dog or cat out of Singapore, including to Malaysia

By PetBuddy.sg TeamPublished 3 October 2026

Pet owner sitting on a hotel bed with a dog on a pet bed during a Singapore staycation

Planning a trip? Talk to your vet about vaccine timing before you book.

Find a vet

Thinking of bringing your dog to Malaysia, or moving overseas with your pet? There are two sets of rules to plan for. Singapore needs an AVS export licence for every pet that leaves. The country you are visiting has its own entry rules. And if your pet is coming back, Singapore treats the return as a new import. AVS explains the first part on its exporting dogs and cats page.

A heads-up about Malaysia trips

This is the part many owners do not expect. Malaysia is a Schedule III country under AVS’s import rules, and AVS says a Singapore pet that visits Malaysia, even for a day, is treated as an import from Malaysia when it comes home. That means a rabies vaccine and blood test taken at least 90 days before the return, and at least 30 days at the Animal Quarantine Centre. For a short holiday, a licensed boarder or a sitter is often the kinder choice.

Airlines, ferries and checkpoints may also have their own carrier rules, so we recommend checking with the operator as well as AVS.

What to line up before you leave

The destination’s import requirements, from its government website, so you can follow its timeline.
An AVS export licence on GoBusiness. It costs $50 (or $100 express) and is valid for 90 days, so apply at the right time.
A health certificate from a licensed vet if the destination needs one. If it must be endorsed by a government vet, AVS can endorse the template or issue a QR-verifiable certificate.
A pre-export inspection booked at least 5 days ahead, if the destination asks for one.
A microchip that matches all the paperwork.
Rabies vaccination timed for the destination, and for the return to Singapore if your pet is coming back.
Cancelling your dog’s licence on PALS once your dog has left for good.

If you are emigrating

Moving overseas usually takes months to prepare. Many countries want a rabies antibody test from an approved lab, followed by a waiting period. We suggest starting with the destination’s pet-import page and taking it to your vet. A relocation company can help with flights and crates, while the vet and the two governments set the medical timeline.