What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Brunei pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Brunei will include an import permit, proof of a microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO BRUNEI below.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or be licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Brunei
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Brunei if pet import regulations detailed here are met and your dog or cat is entering from a scheduled country (see step 1 and QUARANTINE below). If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be:
- Subject to 6 months of quarantine
- Returned to the origination country
- Euthanized
The importer will be responsible for all the costs involved.
Brunei Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Brunei pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-7 in the order given.
Step 1: Country Classifications
Brunei classifies the following countries as scheduled (rabies-free) countries:
Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Dogs or cats must have been born in or continuously lived in one of these countries for a minimum of 6 months prior to traveling to Brunei to qualify for this category.
Other countries are classified as non-scheduled. Countries may be evaluated at the time of import application.
Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import requirements for Brunei.
Step 2: Pet Microchip
The second step to importing a dog or cat to Brunei is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.
A government veterinarian licensed by the agency in the country of origin that is responsible for the import and export of live animals should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country.
The microchip number must be recorded on all required import documents.
Step 3: Vaccinations
Your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies twice unless entering Brunei from a scheduled country. The administering veterinarian should be licensed by a government agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
The first rabies vaccination should be administered no sooner than 91 days of age. The second rabies vaccination can be
administered a minimum of 31 days after the first rabies vaccination and between 60 days and 12 months of import to Brunei. The rabies titer test (step 4) can be administered a minimum of 31 days after the second vaccination.
If your dog or cat is currently vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, it will need to be re-vaccinated according to instructions above after a microchip is implanted.
Other Vaccinations
Dogs entering Brunei from any country should be vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis according to the disease status of the country of origin. Cats entering Brunei from any country should be vaccinated against feline calicivirus, panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, and feline leukemia.
Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.
Unless your pet is entering Brunei from a scheduled country (see step 1), your pet will need a rabies titer test administered by a veterinarian licensed or accredited by the government agency responsible for the import and export of live animals. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories.
Step 5: Parasite Treatments
A treatment for internal and external parasites is required for cats and dogs shortly prior to entering Brunei from all countries according to the disease status of the origination country.
Step 6: Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Brunei is no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number, species, and physical characteristics.
After the vaccinations and titer test are completed, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must then complete the export pet health certificate within 14 days of traveling.
After issuance, the certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the country of origin responsible for the import and export of live animals. Another inspection of the pet must occur within 48 hours of travel.
For pets entering from Scheduled Countries (Step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that there have been no incidents of rabies among un-quarantined animals in the country of origin for the past 24 months.
No cat or dog will be permitted entry to Brunei from countries or areas under quarantine restrictions without prior permission from the Biosecurity Officer.
Step 7: Import Permit
An import permit must be obtained for all dogs entering Brunei. The permit will confirm the classification of the country of origin. Permits are valid for either 30 days or three months, depending on the port of entry.
Other information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Brunei
Young animals from rabies-controlled countries (see step #7) not subjected to vaccination and serology are not permitted to enter Brunei. Pets must be fully vaccinated according to these regulations.
More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned by Brunei
The following dog breeds and their crosses are banned from import to Brunei: Akita, Fila Brasileiro, Barboel, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pit Bull (including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Japanese Tosa and Perro De Presa Canario.
The following dog breeds may be imported to Brunei under restrictions: Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher and German Shepherd/Alsatian including Belgian Shepard & East European Shepard.
All dog breeds listed above must be older than 3 months of age, spayed or neutered, and kept as a personal pet. These breeds listed above must be kept secured at home and leashed and muzzled when in a public place.
Quarantine in Brunei
There will be no quarantine when entering Brunei if you are entering Brunei from a scheduled country, and your pet was born in or has resided in that country for a period of not less than 6 months prior to export.
Entering Brunei from non-scheduled countries (see step 1): 6 months of quarantine in a government facility See below for exceptions.
Quarantine Exceptions
Entering Brunei from a non-scheduled country with a rabies certificate and a rabies titer test: 14 days of quarantine. Balance of time is served as home quarantine. Entering Brunei from a non-scheduled country with rabies certificates but no rabies titer test: 30 days of quarantine. Balance of time is served as home quarantine.
Entering Brunei with a Pet
Pets entering Brunei must enter via Brunei International Airport as air cargo. Notification must be provided to the Biosecurity Officer at the arrival airport a minimum of 7 days ahead of entry.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Pets can also enter Brunei at Muara Port Control Post, Kuala Lurah, Serasa Terry Terminal, Singai Tujoh, Ujung Jalau and Labu.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Brunei. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Brunei
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they may have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Brunei. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Learn more about CITES
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Brunei?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Brunei? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:
- make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- return your pet to the country of origin, or
- euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Brunei pet import requirements.
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