Japan
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Japan
Pet Entry Requirements for Japan
Country Classifications
Japan classifies countries into two categories depending on their rabies status. Pets must be born in and continuously reside in a Category 1 country for 6 months prior to import.
Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a pet dog or cat to Japan from any country is to have it identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digitthat meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785. All documents must reflect the microchip number. If your pet is identified with a non-compliant microchip, you can provide athat will read your pet’s microchip. You can also contact the Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry to see if they have a scanner that will read your pet’s microchip. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.
Vaccinations/Treatments
Unless your pet has resided in a country classified as rabies-free by Japan (step 1), it must be vaccinated twice for rabies with an inactive or recombinant vaccine that is approved for use in your country. Pets must not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 91 days of age. The vaccination must be administered at the same time or after a microchip is implanted. The primary vaccination should be valid for one year. Multi year vaccines are acceptable for boosters. The second rabies vaccination must be given more than 30 days after the primary vaccination (or booster) and before the expiration date of the previous vaccination. The second vaccination must not have expired before entering Japan. If this is not possible, see step 4. The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp: a rabies certificate orgovernment-issued vaccination booklet orEU Pet Passport Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary rabies exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test (RNATT) measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It should be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. It is not required when entering Japan from a Category 1 country. Unless your pet is originating from one of the countries that Japan considers rabies-free (see step 1), your dog or cat must have an RNATT processed by an approved laboratory. Exception: If your pet has had an RNATT done within the past 2 years and the rabies vaccination has not expired, a new test is not required. To reduce the quarantine period to 12 hours when entering Japan, the date when the blood was drawn for the RNATT must be more than 180 days and less than 2 years of the arrival date. If your pet cannot enter Japan before the second rabies vaccination expires, then another rabies vaccination is administered and another titer test is performed; however, an additional 180 day waiting period is not required.
Import Permit
Importers must file an Advanced Notification Form at least 40 days in advance of import with the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). After processing, if facilities are available, an Approval of Notification will be returned to you. Please note that you may be requested to change the date or place of import depending on the availability of quarantine facilities at the Animal Quarantine Station.
Parasite Treatments
Before your dog or cat can enter Japan, it must be treated against ticks, tapeworm, nematodes and cestodes.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information: A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must issue awithin 2 days of entry stating that your pet is healthy and free of parasites and indicating the above vaccinations and the results of the titer test (if applicable). A government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals must endorse the forms.
Complete all 7 steps to enter Japan with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Japan?
On arrival, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies. In the case of dogs, ( rabies and leptospirosis, depending on the status if the origin country. Furthermore, in order to check whether they have contracted the diseases in isolation from other animals or humans, the animals are held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Please bear in mind that, quarantine must be served in the premises of AQS, even when a long quarantine period is necessary. Your dog or cat should fly a direct route to Japan if at all possible; otherwise, your pet’s crate will need to be sealed. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Japan. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense
What Additional Information Do I Need for Japan?
- Comments:
Not specified
- Other Information:
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- Current Information:
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on wagsandwanders.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 orreturn your pet to the country of origin, oreuthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Japan pet import requirements.
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Japan pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Japan will include proof of a microchip, rabies and other vaccinations, a permit to import, rabies titer test results, and an international pet health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
- Entering Japan with a pet:
Cats and dogs may only enter the country at the following airports: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport**, Tokyo International Airport, Haneda Airport**, Chubu International Airport**, Kansai International Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport**, Kagoshima Airport** and Naha Airport. You will be required to apply for an import inspection from the Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival. If requirements are met, your pet will be held at the Animal Quarantine Service for a short period of time (less than 12 hours) before being released. Dogs and cats not meeting requirements will be quarantined for up to 180 days. Dogs may only enter Japan at the following seaports: Tomakomai Seaport, Keihin Seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama**), Nagoya Seaport, Hanshin Seaport (Osaka**, Hyogo), Kanmon Seaport, Hakata Seaport, Kagoshima Seaport, Naha Seaport. **Dogs requiring quarantine (see next step) must enter at these air and seaports. Your pet will be examined by a veterinary official, and must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense. Pets must travel in a pet carrier or crate that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant? Importers must provide prenotification to the County Veterinarian in advance. They will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing. There is a fee for this service. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of illness that can be transmitted to humans when evaluated at the entry airport. Importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing if the health of your cat or dog is not acceptable.
- Dog Breeds Banned by Japan:
Japan does not ban any type of dog or cat breed other than hybrids with wild animals. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
- Leave a Reply Cancel reply:
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- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should confirm that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.
- Japan Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to Japan must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed in the order given.
- Exporting resident pets from Japan:
Pet owners planning to export their pets from Japan should apply for export to Animal Quarantine Service at least seven days prior to export.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering Japan:
On arrival, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies. In the case of dogs, ( rabies and leptospirosis, depending on the status if the origin country. Furthermore, in order to check whether they have contracted the diseases in isolation from other animals or humans, the animals are held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Please bear in mind that, quarantine must be served in the premises of AQS, even when a long quarantine period is necessary. Your dog or cat should fly a direct route to Japan if at all possible; otherwise, your pet’s crate will need to be sealed. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Japan. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense
- Quarantine for pets entering Japan:
There will be a mandatory period of up to 180 days of quarantine for your pet when entering Japan, if the regulations listed here are not met.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to Japan:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have an import permit and a health certificate to enter Japan. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Japan:
Unvaccinated pets under the age of 3 months cannot enter Japan. Puppies and kittens should be microchipped no sooner than 8 weeks of age. They should be vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 91 days of age and no sooner than 30 days prior to entry unless entering from a country considered to be rabies-free. If entering Japan from a Category 2 Country, a titer test should be done after vaccination and no sooner than 180 days prior to entering Japan. Related:Transporting a puppy
- Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Japan?:
Have a question about importing a pet to Japan? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to ourBlog,[X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/Wags and Wanderscom/),[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Wags and Wanders/), orEmailor follow our activities on[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Wags and Wanderstransport/profilecard/)andTikTok. Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
- 4 responses to “Japan Pet Import Requirements”:
Logan Farr[[[January 16, 2025](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-50)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-52)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-49)Hello, I am currently going to be going from Korea to japan, I have a bird thats less than a year old that I would like to bring woth me, I will be a Military contractor falling under SOFA status, i was wondering what documents i need and how to submit them,Thank you
[Susan](https://wagsandwanders.com)[[[January 16, 2025](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-50)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-52)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-49)Logan – this relocation will be challenging as areas in Japan have been identified as experiencing Avian Influenza. Even if the import to Japan is possible, Korea will not permit the import of birds from Japan, likely for this reason.[[[Reply](#comment-50)](#comment-52)](#comment-49)Logan.e.farr@gmail.com[[[January 16, 2025](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-50)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-52)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-49)Additionally, I plan on taking the Ferry from Busan to Fukuoka with a end destination of Okinowa[[[Reply](#comment-50)](#comment-52)](#comment-49)[Susan](https://wagsandwanders.com)[[[January 16, 2025](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-50)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-52)](https://www.wagsandwanders.com/information/pet-passports/japan-pet-import-requirements/comment-page-1/#comment-49)Logan -please see the response below.[[[Reply](#comment-50)](#comment-52)](#comment-49)
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog 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) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO JAPAN below.
- Need More Detailed Japan Pet Import Requirements and Forms?:
Visit Wags and WandersStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Japan at minimal cost.Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.
- Here’s what is included in the Japan pet passport package::
Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Japan from any country available in six languagesISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip InformationRequired Vaccinations and IntervalsRabies Titer Test Instructions and SubmittalParasite TreatmentsHealth Certificate InformationNotification of ImportQuarantine Center InformationIATA Carrier and Crate RequirementsLayover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet TravelResponsibilities of a Pet TransporterFREE unlimited email supportboth for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions Also included at no additional cost: Veterinary Health Certificate for Japan (US/Canada)Airline Health CertificateInoculation RecordMicrochip Certificate
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications. Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Japan last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Japan was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!