Buyer Challenge
Malaysian distributors and importers are looking at China for pet treats — jerky, dental chews, air-dried and freeze-dried snacks — because of the range and price. But “pet treats” are not an unrestricted consumer good in Malaysia. They fall under the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) control framework for animal feed / pet food. Before you shortlist a supplier or place a trial order, there are specific checks that decide whether a shipment can be cleared at all.
A supplier in China cannot simply ship pet treats to Malaysia. The importer in Malaysia carries the regulatory responsibility, and the supplier’s cooperation on documents determines whether the DVS first-time approval and the MAQIS per-consignment permit can be obtained.
Why It Matters
- Pet treats that contain animal protein are regulated as animal feed containing animal-based raw materials.
- The rules can change. DVS reserves the right to amend or suspend import regulations at any time, including on disease outbreaks. [Source: DVS, Regulations for the Importation of Pet Food into Malaysia (Any Country), §6–7]
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation can delay approval, cause permit or application issues, or result in a consignment being held or refused.
How Buyers Reduce the Risk
Confirm the following before committing to a supplier:
- Importer licensing. Register with the Animal Feed Board (under DVS) to obtain a license to import animal feed / feed additive, under Section 9 of the Animal Feed Act 2009 (Act 698). [Source: DVS, Procedures to Import Animal Feed/Feed Additive into Malaysia, updated 25 Feb 2025, §2.0]
- First-time DVS approval (animal-based protein products). Before Animal Feed Board registration, obtain an approval letter from the DVS Import/Export Services Section. The manufacturer in the country of origin completes the DVS application form, and the information must be verified by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country. [Source: DVS Procedures 2025, §1.0–1.3; DVS, Notice on the Update of Application Form for Importation of Feed into Malaysia, 2023 — verification by the competent veterinary authority of the country where the feed was manufactured, fully enforced from 1 July 2024]
- Supporting documents for the DVS application. Ingredient list per product; process flow including processing temperature and duration; Certificate of Analysis (COA) per product; a sample Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the competent government authority of the exporting country; a rendering certificate only for meat-and-bone-meal products. [Source: DVS Procedures 2025, §1.4; DVS Application Form for Importation of Pet Food into Malaysia, 2024]
- Manufacturing establishment and ingredient traceability. The DVS form requires manufacturer and importer details, product type (including “Pet Treat/Snack — dried jerky / semi-moist / chew”), raw materials with composition %, species of origin and country of origin, and the manufacturing process (flow chart, heat-treatment parameters, packaging, storage and segregation of animal protein). [Source: DVS Application Form for Importation of Pet Food into Malaysia, 2024]
- Per-consignment MAQIS import permit. Apply through the e-Permit system for every consignment, and apply before the product departs the exporting country. [Source: DVS Procedures 2025, §3.0; WTO Import Licensing Portal — Animal and animal products]
- Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC). Each consignment must be accompanied by a VHC in English, dated within 14 days of export, signed and endorsed by the competent veterinary authority of the country of origin. It certifies the product was made in an approved/monitored facility, states the animal-protein origin, confirms disease-free status (BSE/TSE/scrapie; no FMD/HPAI outbreak within 10 km), heat treatment (≥70 °C for ≥30 min or equivalent), and that the product is safe. [Source: DVS, Pet Food (Any Country), §3]
- Labelling. The package must show manufacturer name and address, date of manufacture and expiry, batch/lot number, directions for use for the intended species, ingredient list and nutritional data. If it contains pork, its derivative or lard, it must be clearly labelled “CONTAINS …”. [Source: DVS, Pet Food (Any Country), §4]
- Confirm current country-specific conditions. Malaysia may apply additional disease-status conditions (for example, African Swine Fever status). Verify the latest requirements and any suspension directly with DVS / MAQIS before committing. [Source: DVS, Pet Food (Any Country), §6–7; WOAH, Malaysia: Good Practices on Import Requirements]
Note on Halal / religious certification: Animal products may be subject to additional certification or labelling-language rules depending on type. Because these depend on current DVS / JAKIM policy, importers should confirm them directly with the authorities rather than assume. We do not state Halal compliance on behalf of any product.
What a Reliable Supplier Should Provide
A supplier that supports Malaysian importers should be able to provide, on request:
- Complete ingredient lists with composition, species and country of origin
- Process flow with heat-treatment temperature and duration
- COA per product
- Cooperation in preparing the sample Veterinary Health Certificate through the competent authority of the exporting country
- Clear manufacturer and establishment details, batch/lot and shelf-life information
- Packaging and labelling data that meets the importer’s target-market requirements
- Transparent OEM / Private Label coordination and export terms (e.g., FOB Qingdao)
HEYUAN PET is a B2B pet-treat supply partner based in Weifang. We rely on international-standard pet treat production facilities in Weifang, support OEM / Private Label and quality/documentation support, and provide FOB Qingdao export service. We help importers assemble the documents DVS / MAQIS expect. We do not hold or imply Malaysia market approval, and we cannot guarantee customs clearance or DVS / MAQIS approval — that decision rests with the Malaysian authorities.
Practical Next Step
Before requesting a quote, ask your China supplier for the DVS first-time application package (ingredient list, process flow, COA, sample VHC) and confirm your own Animal Feed Board registration and MAQIS e-Permit workflow with DVS. If the supplier cannot produce these documents, treat it as a red flag.
As a China pet treat supplier for Malaysia importers, we support buyers in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and the Klang Valley with documentation, sample coordination (≈10 days) and FOB Qingdao shipment planning.
Talk to Our Team (restrained CTA)
If you are evaluating China pet-treat sources for the Malaysian market, we can share our documentation template and explain how we coordinate samples (≈10 days) and trial orders (MOQ from ~200 kg, FOB Qingdao). Request a quote or request a sample — no obligation, and we will be clear about what we can and cannot confirm.
Author: HEYUAN PET International Business Department