It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

The horse(s) must be accompanied by a valid import permit  issued by the Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) permitting the importation of animals into the State(s) of Malaysia.

The horse(s) must also be accompanied by an identification certificate or horse passport containing a full description and identification of the animal(s).

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Health certification

The horse(s) shall be accompanied by a valid veterinary health certificate containing details of horses (breed, sex, colour, markings, passport number, name and address or premises of origin of each horse) issued by the competent Veterinary Authority of Australia within seven (7) days of export certifying that:

Health certificate

As included in an import permit issued in October 2020 certifying that:

1. The horse(s) were continuously resident in Australia for at least six (6) months or since birth, where the age is not less than three (3) months prior to export.
2. Australia has been free from equine influenza for the last 12 months prior to export and free from African horse sickness, Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, surra, dourine, glanders, borna disease, epizootic lymphangitis, contagious equine metritis, vesicular stomatitis and equine piroplasmosis for the last two (2) years prior to export and that the diseases are notifiable in Australia.
3. No cases of St. Louis equine encephalomyelitis and horse pox have been reported in Australia for the last two (2) years prior to export.
4. The horse(s) were originated from an establishment or farm where no case of the following diseases has occurred during the last six (6) months prior to export; strangles , equine infectious anaemia, equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1-abortigenic and neurologic strains), equine viral arteritis and Japanese encephalitis and other OIE listed equine diseases.
5. The horse(s) originated from an establishment or farm, where no case of Hendra virus has occurred during the last six (6) months prior to export.
6. The horse(s) destined for export to Malaysia were kept in premises approved by the department for at least two (2) weeks immediately prior to export during which period they were held in isolation from all other equines and/or animals not of similar health status and were subjected to the following measures:
1. Laboratory Test
   1. The horse(s) were tested for Hendra virus by a Serum Neutralization Test (SNT) at a dilution of 1 in 2 with negative results, within 14 days prior to export.
   2. The horse(s) were tested for equine infectious anaemia by an immunodiffusion test (Coggin's test) with negative results, within 14 days prior to export.
   3. The horse(s), in case of stallion/ uncastrated male, were tested for equine viral arteritis by a serum neutralisation test (SNT) at a dilution of 1 in 4 with negative results, within 14 days prior to export;
2. Vaccination
1. The horse(s) have received a complete course of vaccination against strangles within the recommended period using a registered inactivated vaccine.
3. Medication
1. The horse(s) were treated with a registered long-acting broad spectrum parasiticide effective against ticks, and a broad spectrum anthelmintic within seven (7) days of export.
7. The horse(s) have been examined by the competent veterinary officer of the department within 24 hours of export and found to be healthy, free from any clinical evidence of infectious or contagious diseases and fit for travel.
8. No horse(s) in the export consignment are pregnant.

4. Transportation and landing place
   1. 4.1  The shipment shall be direct from the port/airport of embarkation in Australia to the approved port/airport of disembarkation in Malaysia.
   2. 4.2  The interior of the ship/ aircraft shall be sprayed with a registered insecticide prior to departure from the country of export (Australia) and on landing in Malaysia.
      
   3. 4.3  The ship/ aircraft door(s) shall be remain closed except as necessary for the servicing of the ship/aircraft. In any case, when animal compartment(s) were opened it must be sprayed with an approved insecticide as frequently as required to ensure that insects are not present in the animal compartment(s).
   4. 4.4  Only horses of the same health status and other animal species that meet Malaysia's import requirements shall be carried on the ship/ aircraft during transport from Australia.
   5. 4.5  No fodder from any other country was carried in the ship or aircraft during the time where the horse(s) were on board the ship or aircraft. Hay or straw shall not be used as bedding during transport by air (treated wood shavings, sterilized peat or soft board may be used, instead).
5. Quarantine in Malaysia
   1. 5.1  The horse(s) shall undergo quarantine for a period of not less than 14 clear days in the approved quarantine station upon arrival in Malaysia.
   2. 5.2  During the post-arrival quarantine in Malaysia, the horse(s) shall be subjected to the following measures: (the test results must be duly endorsed in the respective horse passport).
      1. 5.2.1  Nasopharyngeal swab sample shall be tested twice (2x) for strangles with either by bacterial isolation and identification test of Streptococcus equi OR Streptococcus equi identification by PCR with negative results at 7 days apart.
      2. 5.2.2 Other laboratory tests as deemed necessary.
6. Other conditions
   1. 6.1  All horses destined for export to Malaysia shall not be pregnant. In the event of any such discovery on arrival in Malaysia, the mare and any in-contact material(s) shall be returned to the country of export/origin at the importer's/ exporter's/ agent's/ owner's expense.
   2. 6.2  It should be the responsibility of the importer, agent or owner of the horse(s) to inform the Quarantine Officer of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) the expected date and time of arrival of the horse(s) with a notice of at least three (3) working days prior to the arrival of the consignment in Malaysia.
   3. 6.3  The importer, agent or owner shall be responsible for all duties, fees or charges associated with the transportation, clearance and quarantine of the horse(s) and any other cost or expenditure incurred in the process of importation of the horse(s).
   4. 6.4  If any horse dies or is destroyed while under the custody of Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS), the cost of destruction and any other charges associated shall be borne by the importer, agent or owner of the horse.
7. Suspension of import
   
   The Director General of Veterinary Services, Malaysia or State Veterinary Director may at any time when deem necessary to suspend importations from Australia either temporarily or permanently in the event of disease outbreaks or suspected disease outbreaks in Australia or in case of importation in contravention of the above regulations.
   
   
8. Right to amend import regulations
   
   The Director General of Veterinary Services, Malaysia or the State Veterinary Director shall amend the above regulations at any time as he may deem necessary.
   

If your animal is returning to Australia, you should make yourself familiar with Australia's requirements for importing live animals into Australia. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia.

Based on health conditions included in an import permit issued in October 2020 and Protocol of 2015.

Entry last reviewed 5 February 2021