Japan Pet Passport & Import Regulations
There may be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Japan as long as the following requirements are met. Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs, cats and ferrets only. Owners of other pets should refer to item 12.
Pet Microchip
Your dog or cat must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. You can also contact the Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry.
Import Permit
You 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 situation of quarantine facilities at the Animal Quarantine Station.
Vaccinations
Unless your cat or dog was born in or resided in a countries that Japan considers as rabies-free (see step 7) for the past 6 months, then the following procedure must occur. AFTER microchip insertion, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine that is good for one year. This is called the "primary vaccination." (Three year rabies vaccines are not recommended for the primary vaccination, but fine for booster shots.) Your pet must be at least 91 days of age before the primary rabies vaccination.
The second rabies vaccination must be given more than 30 days after the primary vaccination (or booster) and before the expiration date of the primary vaccination (or booster). The second vaccination must not have expired before entering Japan. If this is not possible, see step #4.
From all countries: it is highly recommended that your dog be vaccinated for a minimum of Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus. Other vaccinations are recommended. Cats must be vaccinated for Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia.
Blood Titer Test
Unless your pet is originating from one of the countries that the Japan considers rabies-free (see step 7), after the two vaccinations, your dog or cat must have a Blood Titer Test processed by an approved laboratory unless your pet has had a test done within the past 2 years and the rabies vaccination has not expired. In order to reduce the quarantine period to 12 hours when entering Japan, the date when the blood was drawn for the titer test must be more than 180 days and less than 2 years of the arrival date.
The blood sample must be processed by an approved laboratory. 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.
Note that a titer test is not required when entering Japan from a country considered by Japan to be rabies-free.
Pet Health Certificate
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must issue a pet health certificate for Japan within 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 Governing Authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals must endorse the forms.
Internal and External Parasites
Before your dog or cat can enter Japan, it must be treated against ticks, tapeworm, nematodes and cestodes.
Countries that the Japan considers as rabies-free
The countries listed below are considered rabies-free by Japan are Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii or Guam. No rabies vaccination or titer test is required if your pet was born in or resided in these countries for a period of not less than 6 months.
Pets not meeting the above requirements shall be quarantined for 180 days after arrival in Japan.
Entering Japan by Air or Sea
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 to you. 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 step 9) must enter at these air and seaports.
Quarantine
On arrival, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to screen out rabies (and in the case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis), depending on conditions. 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 even when a long quarantine period is necessary, quarantine cannot be allowed at any place other than the premises of AQS.
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.
Puppies and Kittens
Unvaccinated pets under the age of 3 months cannot enter Japan. Puppies and kittens should be microchipped vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 3 months of age and again no sooner than 30 days prior to entry unless entering from a country considered to be rabies-free. Also, a titer test should be done after vaccination and no sooner than 180 days prior to entering Japan (non-rabies free countries).
Banned Breeds
Japan does not ban any dog or cat breeds. Aggressive behavior is not acceptable. Wolf hybrids and Savannah cats are not included in these regulations.
Exporting Pets
Pet owners planning to export their pets from Japan should apply for export to Animal Quarantine Service at least 7 days prior to export.
Other Animals
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 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.
CITES
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. .
Need More Assistance?
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.
Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???
Due to the high demand, we may be unable to respond to your question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page, blog, or forum. We will respond as soon as we can.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.