Japan Pet Import Requirements & Vet Timeline
Official pet import rules for bringing a dog or cat into Japan under MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Review the rule table below or pick your origin country, airline, breed, and flight date in the calculator to generate your exact paperwork schedule.
Official Japan Pet Import Rules at a Glance
Summary of MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) entry rules for accompanied dogs and cats.
| Import Biosecurity Authority | MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) |
|---|---|
| Outbound Export Authority | MAFF AQS |
| ISO Microchip Standard | ISO 11784/11785 15-digit (must be implanted on or before rabies vaccination) |
| Primary Rabies Vaccine Wait | Minimum 30 days before arrival |
| Rabies Blood Titer Test (FAVN / RNATT) | Required unless arriving directly from a recognized Step-Free / Rabies-Free country (180-day wait after blood draw, 21 days post-vaccination). |
| Dog Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment | No 24–120 hour statutory tapeworm window; follow standard pre-flight parasite check |
| Health Certificate & Endorsement Window | MAFF Form AC / Endorsed Export Inspection Certificate — endorsed within 10 days before departure |
| Advance Import Permit | Required (apply at least 40 days before travel) |
| Permitted Aircraft Arrival Mode | Passenger Cabin, Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH), or Manifest Cargo |
| Post-Arrival Quarantine | 0 days (immediate clearance when all pre-arrival rules are met) |
Calculate Your Japan Pet Travel Timeline
Pre-set for arrival in Japan. Change your origin country, airline, breed, or departure date below to see your custom schedule.
Enter Your Trip & Pet Details
Choose your origin, destination, airline, breed, and target flight date to get every vet step in reverse order.
Min: 202d • Ideal: 216d
CRITICAL ALERT: This route requires 202 days minimum due to the 180-day Rabies Titer () wait, and your flight is in 75 days. Delay flight or face quarantine.
Your latest compliant veterinary start date was Jun 27, 2026. Arriving in Japan without meeting the full 180-day Rabies Titer (FAVN) wait triggers border refusal, mandatory quarantine detention, or re-export at owner expense unless your pet already holds an active, microchip-linked rabies vaccination and endorsed FAVN blood test.
At 30 kg, your Golden Retriever exceeds cabin rules and qualifies as Checked Excess Baggage (AVIH) up to 45 kg in an IATA-compliant rigid crate (IATA Series 500 (102 x 69 x 76 cm)).
Step-by-Step Vet & Travel Schedule
Counting backward from USA (US) Japan (JP) arrival.
📅 On or before Sat, Jun 27, 2026
Implant or scan-verify a non-encrypted ISO 11784/11785 15-digit. Any rabies vaccination administered BEFORE the microchip implantation date is legally invalid for Japan.
⚠️ Ensure the exact 15-digit barcode sticker is affixed to all vaccination and health certificates.
📅 No later than Sun, Jun 28, 2026
Administer WHO/WOAH-approved inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (pet must be >= 12 weeks old). Triggers 30-day primary immunity wait required by MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS).
⚠️ Record vaccine manufacturer, product name, batch/lot number, administration date, and valid-until date.
Unlock Full Compliance Packet ($29)
See your exact hour-by-hour tapeworm treatment window, USDA APHIS (VEHCS) endorsement cutoff, Printable Vet Sign-Off PDF, and Apple/Google .ics Calendar Sync with 48-hour alerts.
- Exact 24–120h tapeworm and parasite treatment times
- Printable Vet Sign-Off & 15-Digit Microchip PDF Packet
- One-click .ics Calendar Sync with 48h advance reminders
One-time checkout via PayPal or card • Instant PDF & .ics download
Confirm requirements with a government-accredited vet before travel.
Arriving in Japan: Airport & Customs Checklist
- Submit Advance Notification via NACCS to MAFF Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days prior to arrival.
- Requires TWO inactivated/recombinant rabies vaccinations after microchipping plus 180-day FAVN blood test wait; arriving early triggers detention quarantine for the remaining days up to 180.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bringing a Pet to Japan
How far in advance should I start preparing to bring a dog or cat to Japan?
MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) recommends starting at least 215 days before travel. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit implanted on or before its rabies vaccination, followed by a 30-day primary rabies immunity wait (plus a 180-day FAVN rabies antibody wait where applicable).
Does Japan require a rabies antibody blood test (FAVN / RNATT)?
Required unless arriving directly from a recognized Step-Free / Rabies-Free country (180-day wait after blood draw, 21 days post-vaccination).
Can my dog or cat fly in the passenger cabin into Japan?
Yes — Japan allows pets to arrive in the passenger cabin, checked hold (AVIH), or manifest cargo, subject to your airline's weight cap (typically 8 kg including carrier for cabin) and breed rules.
When must the veterinary health certificate be endorsed before flying to Japan?
Your government-accredited veterinarian must issue "MAFF Form AC / Endorsed Export Inspection Certificate" and obtain official export authority endorsement within 10 days before departure.
Popular Flight Routes into Japan
- 🇺🇸 Fly a Dog from USA to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇬🇧 Fly a Dog from United Kingdom to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇦🇪 Fly a Dog from UAE to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇩🇪 Fly a Dog from Germany to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇫🇷 Fly a Dog from France to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇨🇦 Fly a Dog from Canada to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇦🇺 Fly a Dog from Australia to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)
- 🇸🇬 Fly a Dog from Singapore to Japan on Japan Airlines (JAL)