Bringing a pet into Japan
This release covers first-time dog and cat imports from the United States outside Hawaii and Guam, using the standard non-designated-region preparation sequence. Departures to the US mainland are also covered. Returning-pet exceptions and designated-region import procedures are not yet covered.
Last verified Applies to dogs and cats4 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Quarantine: up to 12 hours
To meet the entry rules
- For entry into Japan from the covered US origin, dogs and cats need a microchip, repeat rabies vaccinations, an approved laboratory antibody test and a wait of at least 180 days from blood sampling.
- Notify Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival, arrange a clinical inspection within 10 days before boarding, and carry a government-endorsed health certificate.
- Compliant pets undergo arrival inspection with a quarantine period within 12 hours; missing requirements can mean detention or return.
Full answer
For entry into Japan from the covered US origin, dogs and cats need a microchip, repeat rabies vaccinations, an approved laboratory antibody test and a wait of at least 180 days from blood sampling. Notify Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival, arrange a clinical inspection within 10 days before boarding, and carry a government-endorsed health certificate. Compliant pets undergo arrival inspection with a quarantine period within 12 hours; missing requirements can mean detention or return.
- Quarantine
- Up to 12 hoursarrival inspection, with a quarantine period within 12 hours when compliant
- Titer required
- RequiredA blood sample at least 180 days before arrival
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesJapan applies the same quarantine requirements to cabin pets, checked baggage and manifest cargo. The airline decides whether it can transport your pet; dogs must arrive through a designated port.
- Banned breeds
- None in our sources
Requirements, in the order they must happen
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | The pet must be at least 91 days old when it receives the first qualifying rabies vaccination. Birth is counted as day zero. | at least 91 days before the earlier rabies vaccination | Done less than 91 days before the earlier rabies vaccination. |
| Microchip | Implant and verify the microchip before the first rabies vaccination; the same day is accepted. Use an ISO-compatible microchip or arrange an appropriate reader with Animal Quarantine Service. | on or before the earlier rabies vaccination | Done after the earlier rabies vaccination. |
| Microchip | Japan currently rejects microchip numbers starting with 900 202 as identification. Check the number before starting preparation and contact Animal Quarantine Service if it has this prefix. | — | The microchip number starts with the rejected prefix. |
| Rabies vaccination | Give the second qualifying rabies vaccination more than 30 days after the first, while the first is still valid. This US-origin route uses the stricter USDA interval. | more than 30 days after the earlier rabies vaccination | The second dose does not meet the stricter USDA interval, or the first dose has expired. |
| Rabies vaccination | Use a killed or recombinant rabies vaccine. Live-virus and RNA rabies vaccines are not accepted. Vaccination must remain valid through arrival; a lapse can require restarting preparation. | — | An unacceptable vaccine was used, or rabies vaccination has lapsed. |
| Blood sample | Draw the blood sample after the second qualifying rabies vaccination. The vaccine and blood draw can happen on the same day; verify the microchip number at the visit. | on or after the rabies vaccination | Done before the rabies vaccination. |
| Blood sample | Use a MAFF-designated laboratory and obtain an antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Bring the result report for arrival inspection. | — | The laboratory is not designated, the antibody level is too low, or the result report is missing. |
| Blood sample | Arrive only after the 180-day waiting period from blood sampling has elapsed. The sampling date is day zero. Shortening the wait can mean detention for the remaining period. | at least 180 days before arrival | Done less than 180 days before arrival. |
| Blood sample | The rabies antibody test result must still be valid on arrival. The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling. | within 2 years before arrival | Done more than 2 years before arrival. |
| Advance notice | Notify Animal Quarantine Service at the intended arrival port at least 40 days before arrival through NACCS. If that is difficult, submit the notification form by email. Obtain the approval for import inspection of animals and retain a printed or digital copy. | at least 40 days before arrival | Done less than 40 days before arrival. |
| Vet signs the health certificate | Arrange the clinical examination at the certificate-signing visit within 10 days before boarding. The vet checks the microchip and confirms no clinical signs of rabies; dogs must also be free of signs of leptospirosis. The planner counts the examination day as day one. | within 10 days before departure | Done more than 10 days before departure. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Carry the health certificate endorsed by the exporting government, with identity, vaccination, laboratory and clinical-examination details. The US export steps below use Form AC. | — | Government endorsement or required identity, vaccination, test or examination information is missing. |
| Requirement | Apply for import inspection on arrival and present the required original documents to Animal Quarantine Service before customs clearance. | — | The pet is not presented for inspection, or required original documents are unavailable. |
Routes into Japan
Leaving Japan with a pet
To the United States
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance notice | Apply to Animal Quarantine Service for export inspection at least 14 days before export and reserve an inspection appointment. Use NACCS or contact the departure AQS about its email procedure. | at least 14 days before departure | Done less than 14 days before departure. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Present the dog or cat and original certificates to AQS for export inspection within 10 days before departure. Obtain the export quarantine certificate. The planner counts inspection and certificate issue together, with the inspection day as day one. | within 10 days before departure | Done more than 10 days before departure. |
| Note | If the pet might return to Japan, check Japanese re-entry requirements before departure. This outward route does not plan the returning-pet exceptions. | — | — |
Routes out of Japan
Where every rule above came from
- Japan MAFF Animal Quarantine Servicemaff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/import-other.htmlFerret import procedures have not been researched for this release; Japan applies the same quarantine requirements to cabin pets, checked baggage and…; Compliant dogs and cats still undergo import inspection on arrival; Microchip; and 10 more
- Japan MAFF Animal Quarantine Servicemaff.go.jp/aqs/english/qanda/dogcata.htmlJapan applies the same quarantine requirements to cabin pets, checked baggage and…; Compliant dogs and cats still undergo import inspection on arrival
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-japanThis release covers first-time dog and cat imports from the United States outside Hawaii…; Rabies vaccination
- MAFF Animal Quarantine Servicemaff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/export.htmlWithout successful export inspection and the export quarantine certificate, the animal…; Advance notice; Health certificate issued or endorsed; If the pet might return to Japan, check Japanese re-entry requirements before departure
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.