Pet import requirements for Japan

Japan at a glance

The detail

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Because Japan is in Asia, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. At least 121 days old (91 days (first) +30 days (second) rabies vaccine).

Import requirements

At least 121 days old (91 days (first) +30 days (second) rabies vaccine)

Guide

Japan's import requirements differ depending on whether the country of export is a designated region or not.

Import and export quarantine of dogs and cats

Import from the designated regions

Guide to importing dogs and cats (from Non-designated regions)

Advanced notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival in Japan, and an approval must be received before departure.

You can apply an advanced notification/ application and export application through the on line system NACCS.

NACCS Usage Application

Non-designated Regions- All countries or regions other than Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands,

Hawaii and Guam

• ISO Microchip
• Two Rabies

• Blood test
• 180 days waiting period

5.40 days advance notification (Advanced notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival in Japan, and an approval must be received before departure.)

Notification for Import of Dogs

Notification for Import of Cats

Modification on Notification of Import of Animals

EXAMPLE NOTIFICATON FORM

• Origin country endorsed Health certificate (Form AC/ AB)

• Note that a titer test is not required when entering Japan from a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free (Iceland / Australia / New Zealand / Fiji / Guam / Hawaii)

Information you will need for “Notification” 40 days before arrival in Japan:

・Date of birth (Age): If the date of birth is unknown, enter the age of the dog or cat at the time of arrival

・Scheduled place of arrival: Name of the expected arrival airport or seaport

・Scheduled date of arrival and flight no.

・Consignor: The person exporting or traveling with the dog or cat from abroad

・Consignee: The person receiving the dog or cat upon arrival in Japan

・Date of identification: The date that the microchip was implanted

・Cargo or hand luggage: The type of transportation

・Name and address of destination: Place where the dog or cat will be kept after import into Japan

・Rabies vaccination: Information on rabies vaccinations administered

・Date of expiry: Not the expiration date for use of the vaccine, but the duration of immunity (effective period)

・Kind of vaccine: Rabies vaccination → in activated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine

Other vaccination → names of target diseases (such as distemper, feline calicivirus, etc.)

・Date of blood sampling: The date that the blood sample was taken for the rabies antibody test

-If there are any changes or additions to the submitted “Notification,” submit a “Modification on Notification of Import of Animals” by e-mail to the Animal Quarantine Service office to which the “Notification” was submitted.

-If the changes or additions do not affect the import in spection, Animal Quarantine Service will re-issue an “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals.”

-The “Modification on Notification of Import of Animals” form is available on the website of Animal Quarantine Service.

“Modification on Notification of Import of Animals” must be submitted before the scheduled arrival date.

Precautions:

The following changes may not be accepted as they may affect the import in spection:

-Advancing the arrival date

-Increasing the number of imported animals

-Replacing with different animals

-Changing the importation schedule after the scheduled arrival date

For hand luggage (checked baggage) transportation Before Customs in spection, bring the dog or cat to Animal Quarantine Service counter in the baggage claim area.

For cargo transportation

After receiving the necessary documents from the airline or shipping line staff at the cargo area, come to Animal Quarantine Service office.

• Note that a titer test is not required when entering Japan from a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free (Iceland / Australia / New Zealand / Fiji / Guam / Hawaii)

• US Military under SOFA can be exempted from quarantine under special circumstances with submission of effective PSC order and other required docs.

Dogs and cats imported from the designated regions must fulfill at least one of the following three conditions:

• The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region since birth.
• The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan.

• The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region since being directly imported from Japan

If none of the above three conditions is fulfilled and the dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for less than 180 days, the dog or cat must be subject to quarantine in spection at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan to compensate for the in sufficient days (180 days minus the days when the dog or cat was kept in a designated region)

Assistance dogs (guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs regulated by law in Japan) need to meet the same import requirements. For detail in formation of assistance dogs, please refer to following web site.

"Assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities" Portal site (External Link)

Management after import into Japan:

• Registration with municipality (only for dogs)
• Under the Rabies Prevention Law, dogs must be registered with the municipality where they are kept. The owner must bring the “Import Quarantine Certificate for Dogs”, issued by Animal Quarantine Service, to the municipality for registration within 30 days of import. For further in formation, contact your local municipality office

• Rabies vaccination (only for dog)
• Under the Rabies Prevention Law, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies once a year. For further in formation, contact your local municipality office

• Microchip registration (optional)
• The microchip number (currently only those in accordance with ISO standards) can be registered domestically with a copy of the “Import Quarantine Certificate,” issued by Animal Quarantine Service. When a lost dog or cat is found in Japan, its owner can be identified if the microchip number is registered.

• For further in formation, contact AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization).
• AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization) office: Japan Veterinary Medical Association Phone: 03-3475-1695 Fax: 03-3475-1697

Identification and microchip

All dogs and cats imported into Japan must be identified by a microchip. ISO 11784 and 11785 (15-digit microchip code which consists only of numbers.) Microchip can be implanted at a veterinary hospital.

Non-designated Region:

The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. Timing of microchip implanting (Both procedures can be performed on the same day.)

Designated Region:

Pets coming from designated countries are not required to have rabies vaccination but the microchip must be implanted before applying for Advance Notification

Precautions:

• Make sure that the microchip number can be read by a microchip reader upon each in spection and treatment at a veterinary hospital.
• If the microchip number cannot be read or the microchip number does not match the number on the certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country at the import in spection, the dog or cat will be subject to 180-day quarantine or be returned at the importer’s own expense.

• If the microchip is not in accordance with ISO standards, or if a method other than microchip is used for identification, you should contact Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry.

Rabies and vaccinations

Non-designated Region:

Rabies vaccination must be administered twice or more after the microchip is implanted.

First rabies vaccination:

Dogs and cats must be at least 91 days old at the time of vaccination (the date of birth is counted as day 0).

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated after the microchip is implanted. (Both procedures can be performed on the same day.)

Second rabies vaccination:

The second vaccination must be administered at least 30 days after the first vaccination (the date of the first vaccination is counted as day 0) and within the effective period of the first vaccination. If the effective period of the rabies vaccination will expire before the day of arrival in Japan, an additional vaccination must be administered within the effective period.

If administered after the effective period of the previous vaccination, it is not accepted as an “additional vaccination” and the importer must start the procedure from the first rabies vaccination.

*An effective period is not the expiration date for use of the vaccine (product), but the duration of immunity against rabies. As the duration may differ from product to product, you should confirm it with the veterinarian in charge of the vaccination.

Acceptable vaccines:

・Inactivated (killed) virus vaccine

・Recombinant vaccine

*These types of vaccines above must be satisfied the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

*Live virus vaccines are not accepted.Designated region:

No rabies vaccination is required if pet was born or resided in designated countries for at least six months

For dogs: Rabies, Distemper, canine adenovirus type 2, canine parvovirus disease, etc.

For cats: Rabies, Feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus in fection, feline panleukopenia, etc.

Please click here for details.

Tests and treatments

Non-designated Region:

Rabies antibody test required.

A blood sample must be taken at a veterinary hospital after the second rabies vaccination. (The second rabies vaccination and blood sampling can be performed on the same day.) The blood sample must be taken within the effective period of the rabies vaccination.

Designated Laboratories:

Rabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories.

The laboratories are designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. The list of designated laboratories available.

*Test methods: FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test) or RFFIT (rapid fluorescent focus

in hibition test)

Test Results:

The rabies antibody titer must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml. If the antibody titer is less than 0.5 IU/ml, the test must be performed again.

Validity Period of Rabies Antibody Test: The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling under conditions that the effective period from the first rabies vaccination continues with necessary additional rabies vaccinations.

Dogs and cats must arrive in Japan within the validity period of the rabies antibody test.

If unable to arrive within the validity period, another rabies antibody test is required.

*Waiting Period (180 days or more): The waiting period is 180 days or more (the date of the blood sampling for the rabies antibody test is counted as day 0).

Dogs and cats must arrive in Japan within the “effective period of the rabies vaccination” and the “validity period of the rabies antibody test” after at least 180 days from the date of blood sampling.

A dog or cat whose waiting period has less than 180 days will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service until the total time of the waiting period and the quarantine period reaches 180 days.

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 2nd JULY 2025

As of the of ficial statement from the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) website & updates from Biobest Laboratories Ltd.

ATTENTION: The laboratory testing facility from Biobest Laboratories Ltd., has been revoked from the list of designated laboratories due to violations of the designation standards. Individuals with certificates issued between November 27, 2024 and June 25, 2025, are kindly requested to contact the Animal Quarantine Office at your port of entry.

Thus, for rabies antibody titer test certificates issued between November 27, 2024, and June 25, 2025, AQS advises contacting the animal quarantine office at the in tended port of entry for further guidance.

Further guidance from AQS:

• The matter is currently under in vestigation in the UK. Depending on the outcome, test results from Biobest Laboratories may be reconsidered in the future.

However, no timeline has been provided for the conclusion of this in vestigation.

• Confirm with Biobest Laboratories or the veterinary clinic that collected the blood whether the original serum sample is still in their storage.

If the serum is still available, a new rabies antibody titer test should be performed at a different designated laboratory (not Biobest).

In such cases, the 180-day waiting period required for import into Japan may begin from the original blood collection date, provided the result is ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.

• For any in quiries regarding compensation or support related to the in validation of Biobest’s test results, affected clients are advised to contact Biobest Laboratories directly.

◆ External parasites: fleas, ticks

◆ Internal parasites: nematodes, cestodes

Designated region:

• All parasite treatments must still be in effect upon the time of arrival in Japan

Non-designated region:

-Treatments for parasites should be conducted before arrival in Japan

Clinic in spection before departure (pre-export in spection):

Before leaving the exporting country, all dogs and cats must undergo a clinic in spection (pre-export in spection) by a veterinarian.

Time of pre-export in spection:

Immediately before leaving (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical in spection by a private veterinarian or a veterinary of ficer of a government agency of the exporting country.

Contents of clinical in spection:For dogs: The dog has been found to be free from any clinical sign of rabies and leptospirosis.

For cats: The cat has been found to be free from any clinical signs of rabies.

Health certificate and permits

The importer must obtain certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country.

Immediately before leaving (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical in spection by a private veterinarian or a veterinary of ficer of a government agency of the exporting country.

・For dogs ◆ The dog has been found to be free from any clinical signs of rabies and leptospirosis.

・For cats ◆ The cat has been found to be free from any clinical signs of rabies.

For Non-designated regions-

• Recommended certification forms (Form AC). The private veterinarian fills in the Form AC. Endorsement from the government agency of the exporting country must be obtained.

• Required in formation in the certificate

• Date of birth or age of the animal
• Microchipping

• Rabies vaccinations
• Rabies Antibody test

• Pre export in spection
• Vaccinations other than for rabies and parasite treatment

For designated regions(Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii and Guam)-

• Form AB for a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free) Form AB are available on the website of Animal Quarantine Services.The private veterinarian fills in the Form AB. Endorsement from the government agency of the exporting country must be obtained.

• Required in formation in the certificates

• Date of birth or age of the animal
• Microchipping

• Regulations on residence
• Prevalence of rabies in exporting countries

• Pre-export in spection
• Seal number on transport cage

• Vaccinations other than for rabies and parasite treatment

Precautions:

Once the endorsement is obtained, no corrections will be accepted other than those made by the government agency of the exporting country. Corrections should be made before the endorsement is obtained. If a correction is made by the government agency of the exporting country, another endorsement of the correction must be obtained.

The importer can send the certificates (or drafts), after the required items are filled in, by e-mail to the Animal Quarantine Service office that received the “Notification

If there are any errors in the certificates, the dog or cat will be subject to detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned."

Animal Quarantine Service accepts health certificates issued by the exporting country/region, or that obtained by electromagnetic records from certain countries, namely [U.S.A](https://vehcs.aphis.usda.gov/vehcs/faces/ext_cert_viewer.jsf;sessi on IdVehcs=ymZ5SvgHS7vC8ml6-H1jh9W51-ycdG1k5ao7uLZUr0JODmI-I6Dl!-674796781), Brazil and [Spain](https://sede.mapa.gob.es/portal/site/seMAPA/navValidaci on CSV?acci on Class=validaci on CSVAction).

Japan's import requirements differ depending on whether the country of export is a designated region or not.

Import and export quarantine of dogs and cats

Import from the designated regions

Guide to importing dogs and cats (from Non-designated regions)

Advanced notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival in Japan, and an approval must be received before departure.

You can apply an advanced notification/ application and export application through the on line system NACCS.

NACCS Usage Application

Submission of notification:

The importer must submit a “Notification” to Animal Quarantine Service at the exported port of entry, the form is available on the website.

• For dogs: “Notification for import of Dogs under the Rabies Prevention Law and the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law”
• For cats: “Notification of Import of Animals under the Rabies Prevention Law”

Animal Quarantine Service will examine the "Notification" and related documents to issue an “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals.

The private veterinarian fills in all the forms.

Certificate of Import to Japan Form AB (a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free (Iceland / Australia / New Zealand / Fiji / Guam / Hawaii)

Form AB extended for additional vaccines

Certificate of Import to Japan Form AC

ATTACHMENT ONLY Form AC extended for additional vaccines

Form AC: https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/attach/pdf/import-other-5.pdf

Form AC extended for additional vaccines:

https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/attach/pdf/import-other-2.pdf

Form AB (a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free (Iceland / Australia / New Zealand / Fiji / Guam / Hawaii):

https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/attach/pdf/import-free-5.pdf

Form AB extended for additional vaccines:

https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/attach/pdf/import-free-4.pdf

Quarantine

The importer must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.

“Notification” form is available on the website of Animal Quarantine Service.

Notification can be made on line through the NACCS

Hints for “Notification”"

・Date of birth (Age): If the date of birth is unknown, enter the age of the dog or cat at the time of arrival

・Scheduled place of arrival: Name of the expected arrival airport or seaport

・Consignor: The person exporting or traveling with the dog or cat from abroad ・Consignee: The person receiving the dog or cat upon arrival in Japan

・Date of identification: The date that the microchip was implanted

・Cargo or hand luggage: The type of transportation

・Name and address of destination: Place where the dog or cat will be kept after import into Japan

・Rabies vaccination: Information on rabies vaccinations administered

・Date of expiry: Not the expiration date for use of the vaccine, but the duration of immunity (effective period)

・Kind of vaccine: Rabies vaccination → in activated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine Other vaccination → names of target diseases (such as distemper, feline calicivirus, etc.)

・Date of blood sampling: The date that the blood sample was taken for the rabies antibody test

◆ For dogs: “Notification for Import of Dogs under the Rabies Prevention Law and the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law”

◆ For cats: “Notification of Import of Animals under the Rabies Prevention Law”

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) - Quarantine Regulations

For dogs and cats meeting certain requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period (for import in spection) will be within 12 hours.

Any dogs and cats that do not meet the requirements will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days). Depending on the results of the import in spection, the dog or cat cannot be allowed to enter Japan.

If no problems are found with the health condition of the dog or cat after completion of the quarantine period, an Import Quarantine Certificate will be granted and the dog or cat can be imported.

・Animal Quarantine Service may in struct some changes to the arrival date or the port of entry

・The quarantine period on the “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals” may be subject to change due to the results of the import in spection upon arrival in Japan.

The importer is responsible for all costs of quarantine other than the cost of in spections by Animal Quarantine Service.

・Cost of transportation from the port of entry to the detention facility (the importer cannot transport the dog or cat).

・Cost of caretaking during the quarantine (cost of food and cleaning/disinfection of cell) ・Lighting, heating and water expenses for detention facility

・Veterinarian’s visiting fee (if necessary)

・Cost of reshipment

・Cost of restoration such as repairs to the detention facility

・Other necessary expenses

The importer is responsible for caretaking and feeding during quarantine.

・At a detention facility where a caretaker company is stationed, the importer can entrust the caretaking and feeding duties to the caretaker.

・For in formation about the caretaking and feeding at a detention facility where a caretaker company is not stationed, contact Animal Quarantine Service.

Detention facilities where a caretaking company is stationed: Narita branch, Haneda Airport branch, Kansai Airport branch

（Precautions）

・During quarantine, dogs and cats cannot be brought out of the detention facility under any circumstances, except when the dog or cat is returned to the exporting country.

・Medical treatments at the detention facility by a private veterinarian is allowed. You are strongly recommended to find a veterinarian, who can come to the detention facility for medical treatments, before starting quarantine.

・In terms of health care for dogs and cats during quarantine and sanitary control of the detention facility, vaccinations (combination vaccine) and parasite treatments should be performed in advance in the exporting country.

If symptoms of rabies or, for dogs, leptospirosis is observed, the quarantine period may be extended and some additional examinations may be conducted.

Visiting your dog or cat during quarantine is allowed, but the visiting hours and the visitors are restricted. For further in formation, contact Animal Quarantine Service.

If dogs and cats meet import requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period will be within 12 hours

On the other hand, dogs and cats that do not meet the requirements will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days).

Depending on the results of in spection, the dog or cat may not be allowed to enter Japan.

Dogs and cats that are subject to quarantine for more than 12 hours must arrive at a port with a detention facility

Quarantine is conducted at a detention facility Animal Quarantine Service at the port of entry

Animal Quarantine Service with a detention facility: Airport: Hokkaido sub-branch (Iburi branch office), Narita branch, Haneda Airport branch, Chubu Airport branch, Kansai Airport branch, Fukuoka Airport sub-branch, Kagoshima Airport sub-branch

Seaport: Yokohama head office, Kobe branch, Osaka sub-branch, Moji branch, Okinawa branch

Restrictions and banned breeds

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 2nd JULY 2025

As of the of ficial statement from the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) website & updates from Biobest Laboratories Ltd.

*SEE "TESTS"

Dogs can be imported only through the following ports.

◆ Airport: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport,Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Kagoshima Airport, Naha Airport

◆ Seaport: Tomakomai Seaport, Keihin Seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya Seaport, Hanshin Seaport (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon Seaport, Hakata Seaport, Kagoshima Seaport, Naha Seaport

The following dogs or cats are not suited for transport or quarantine. If it is necessary to import, we recommend you to contact your veterinarian in advance whether the dog or cat can endure the transportation and quarantined.

◆ Puppies, kittens or old age

◆ Pregnant or lactating

◆ With a history of illness, sickly, or currently receiving medication (other than for parasite

treatment)

◆ Injured

Customs, agents, and airports

Dogs and cats must be in spected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.

Ports of entry for importing dogs are restricted. Dogs can be imported only through the following ports. (Ports where cats can be imported are not restricted.) If a port of entry other than those listed below is to be used for importing cats, contact Animal Quarantine Service in advance.

◆ Airport: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Kagoshima Airport, Naha Airport

◆ Seaport: Tomakomai Seaport, Keihin Seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya Seaport, Hanshin Seaport (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon Seaport, Hakata Seaport, Kagoshima Seaport, Naha Seaport

Dogs can enter Japan only through the designated airports and seaports.

Airports listed on this destination file: NRT, HND, KIX, OKA.

Dogs and cats must be in spected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.Dogs and cats should be transported by direct flight/ship from the exporting country (designated region) to Japan. If transported through Non-designated regions (transit), a “seal for the transport cage” or an “additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)” must be obtained.

If a direct flight/ship is not used and the dog or cat arrives through Non-designated regions, either of the following conditions must be fulfilled.

1.The transport cage must be sealed in the exporting country.

• The seal prevents the transport cage from opening during transportation.
• A lock that can be opened with a key is not considered as a seal.

• Before boarding, should confirm that the seal is not broken.
• Obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX).

-Ensure that dogs or cats do not come into contact with other animals during transportation (dogs or cats cannot be out of the transport cages). As proof, you must obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX) from animal quarantine agency or from Customs at the transit ports, airlines (or shipping lines), or captains.

Additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)

-The recommended form is available on the website of Animal Quarantine Service.

-To ensure that you obtain the certificate, you should contact the related agencies at the transit ports and ask about the procedure in advance.

• Submit it to Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan along with the certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country (recommended forms Form A and Form B)
• If the seal is broken or open upon arrival in Japan, or if the seal number does not match the number on the certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country, or if the additional certificate (ANNEX) is not complete, the dog or cat will be subject to 180-day quarantine at the detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service

Importer must apply for import in spection to Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.

If no problems are found in the import in spection, we will issue an import quarantine certificate for the dog or cat.

In case that the dog or cat doesn’t meet import requirements, it will be subject detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned.（Necessary documents）

• Approval of import Inspection of Animals
• Certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country (original)
• Result report of rabies antibody test
• （For cargo transportation）Application for Import Inspection (you can use on line system ‘NACCS’), and a copy of Air Waybill or Bill of lading
• Application form for dogs（PDF：103KB）(EXCEL: 46KB)

Application form for cats（PDF：103KB）(EXCEL: 53KB)

• Power of attorney （if an agent, other than a customs broker, do the import procedures in stead of the owner

Example of power of attorney（PDF：185KB）

• Other documents that Animal Quarantine Service requires
• Business hours for travel of dog and cats at Narita, Haneda and Kansai Airports: 9:00 – 17:00 JST

Export notes

Export dogs and cats from Japan

In order to leave Japan, dogs or cats must undergo export in spection at the Animal Quarantine Service for rabies(in case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis).

Export in spection is conducted prior to departure, and as it is a clinical health check, it should not take long time that no abnormalities are discovered.

Nevertheless, it is recommended that exporter contact the Animal Quarantine Service office in advance (at least seven days before traveling) for in spection appointment. (Note: There is some cases that exporter should contact Animal Quarantine Service more early depends on entering conditions of the country which dogs or cats are traveling to.)

The in spection can be carried out at your nearest Animal Quarantine Service office. If there is no office near you, or if you are leaving from an airport or seaport with no Animal Quarantine Service or animal quarantine of ficer stationed, please ask before traveling.

On export in spection, exporter present following documents to Animal Quarantine Service:

• Export application forms For dogs（PDF：124KB）(EXCEL: 21KB)For cats（PDF：93KB）(EXCEL: 18KB)
• Please visit Website.
• Documents or certificates required by entering conditions of country which dogs or cats are traveling to
• Health certificate issued by private veterinarian (if needed: please ask Animal Quarantine Service office)
• Other documents in structed by Animal Quarantine Service

Documents must be written with an in delible pen.

When a person other than owner conduct export application procedure, the owner should present a "Power of Attorney" to Animal Quarantine Service.

Sample of "Power of Attorney"（PDF：185KB）

Please check Website for any updates forms.

Animal quarantine is necessary when returning to Japan even if you are only out of Japan for a short period (on holiday etc.)

If the dogs or cats, before leaving Japan, has not had a microchip fitted, has not had confirmation of rabies antibody levels following rabies vaccinations (carried out after the microchip implantation), and has not received a certificate mantioned these treatments from an animal quarantine of ficer, the quarantine time upon return to Japan will be longer (up to 180 days), so please consult the Animal Quarantine Service in advance.

Export Requirements - Dogs and Cats

-Import Quarantine Certificate will be necessary to export the dog or cat that has been imported into Japan.

-If you are planning to export your dog or cat, apply for exportation at the Animal Quarantine Service office at least 7 days prior to export.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

FOR RABBITS: The requirements will in clude application of import quarantine (3 days 2 night and client will need to arrange caring of the rabbit during the period), health certificate by private vet and endorsement by the competent authority.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)

1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku

Tokyo, Japan.100-8950

Official contacts

*Contact the originating country's department of animal health to determine if import health requirements are on file for the destination country.

If not, contact the originating country's Agricultural Officer at the Embassy or Consulate in the destination country. They should be able to provide the import health requirements in the language of the originating country.

Alternatively, go to the source in the destination country and contact the country's

Department of Animal Health.*Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)

1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku

Tokyo, Japan.100-8950

Tel: +81 3 3502-8111

Website

Animal Quarantine Services - Contact Information

Import Dogs and Cats

Export Dogs and Cats

AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization) office: Japan Veterinary Medical Associati on Phone: 03-3475-1695

Fax: 03-3475-1697

Current as of May 2026

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2025-05-12.

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