Relocating Your Family to Brunei
When you relocate to another country with your pets, you can face uncertainty and experience some emotional challenges. Choosing PetAir allows them to take on all of your worries (most of them at least) that you may have. The team understands that your pets are very much part of your family, and they will guide you through the entire process with their knowledge and relative ease. It’s important to understand that PetAir has an experienced team who will be on hand every step of the way and take the worry out of travelling.
What is the process?
PetAir recommends that you give yourself plenty of time to ensure the smooth running of your relocation. Please start the process as soon as you have your relocation confirmed because it can take a few months. There can be unplanned setbacks or delays with vaccination requirements, animal illness or administration errors.
Recruit PetAir
The rules and regulations surrounding pet importation are often changing. You can breathe easily with PetAir. They have fully trained experts that understand the importance of your pets and the ever-changing landscape. They will make sure that your pets meet the import requirements. Each pet must be fully vaccinated and be at least three months old.
Brunei Requirements
Banned breeds
Although it is not illegal to own certain dogs in Brunei, it is prohibited by law to import the following breeds:
- Akita
- Fila Brasileiro
- Boerboel
- American Bulldog
- Dogo Argentino
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Pit Bull (including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier)
- Japanese Tosa
- Perro De Presa Canario
The following dog breeds may be imported to Brunei, but restrictions apply:
- Bull Mastiff
- Bull Terrier
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd/Alsatian
- Belgian Shepard
- East European Shepard
Veterinary Surgeons
All vaccinations, microchips and health checks must be carried out by a government-approved veterinary surgeon from the country of export.
Vaccinations
Although rabies and the general vaccinations are required for entry into Brunei, it is wise to consider the following for their general well-being and health:
Dogs
- Leptospirosis
- Parvovirus (DHLPP)
- Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
Cats
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
- Calicivirus
- Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
- Cat Flu
- Chlamydia Psittaci
- Parvovirus
Brunei Ministry of Agriculture requires that your pets are treated for internal and external parasites between two and seven days before you arrive.
Rabies Vaccine and Certificate
Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Your veterinary surgeon will provide you with a certificate that states the microchip number, the validity of the vaccination, and the date of inoculation. Rabies vaccines are valid for one year. The vaccine must be the inactivated variety. The vaccine must be administered between 60 and 360 days before your pet’s flight into Brunei.
Microchip
The authorities will only identify your pets with a microchip, and the corresponding vet stamped pet passport. A microchip is an integrated identification circuit placed under the skin of your pet. The rice grain size chip uses passive radio-frequency identification technology. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered. The Brunei government accepts microchips that comply with ISO standards. It is essential that all veterinary papers must state the microchip number.
Import Permit
PetAir can provide you with the necessary import permit that is required to allow your pets into Brunei. Each of your pets will require this import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. The team will provide you with the exact requirements for your country of origin. The import permit is valid for 60 days.
Veterinary Certification
You will need an official health certificate that states the name, age, description and microchip identification number of each pet within 14-days of your flight. The microchip identification number is 15-digits long. Without this, the government could deny your pet entry into the country.
The Brunei Ministry of Agriculture states that the certificate must also include the following information before export:
- The animal has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of rabies and infectious or contagious diseases
- The animal has been vaccinated against rabies using an approved anti-rabies vaccine
- The vaccination history and health status of your pet
- That your pet is healthy enough for air travel
Make at least four copies of the certification and vaccination records for the following:
- Airline
- Pet travel crate
- Transit permit (if necessary)
- One for you
- Quarantine centre
Animal Arrival
All pets must enter Brunei International Airport as air cargo. It is important to consider your transit routes through rabies-free or controlled countries where possible.
You or PetAir must notify the Biosecurity Officer of your pet’s arrival at least seven days prior to arrival.
All pets must be deemed free of disease when examined. If they are not in good health, further examinations may be required at your own expense.
Quarantine
All pets imported into Brunei must be quarantined in a government facility unless they originate from one of the following scheduled countries: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
If your pets are entering Brunei from a non-scheduled country but have had a rabies vaccination certificate and titre test, the quarantine period is reduced to 14 days. If you only have a rabies certificate and no titretest, then your pet will be quarantined for 30 days. I
The quarantine holding areas are empty, so you will need to provide bedding, food, water, litter and boxes, leads and possibly a floor covering such as newspaper. For cats consider leaving their transportation boxes in their pens so that they have somewhere to hide and feel secure. You could even leave them something that smells of you to comfort them.
Additional Information
If you import a dog, it’s important to understand that he or she must be kept secured at its residence and leashed and muzzled when in a public place. The dog must be older than three months of age, spayed or neutered and kept as a personal pet.
There are no restrictions on the number of pets imported, but the local Brunei authorities might have local regulations about the number of pets that can be kept in residential premises.
You are required to obtain all of the necessary permits that will allow you to import your pets into Brunei. PetAir will help you obtain the import permit on your behalf.
We hope that this reassures you, but should you need more specific advice, please let the helpful team at PetAir help, they are all delighted to help you.
