Pet Immigration Rules Japan
REGULATIONS FOR TAKING A PET DOG OR CAT TO
JAPAN
ENTERING JAPAN FROM RABIES FREE COUNTRIES.
Pets entering from the rabies free countries of: Cyprus, Taiwan,
Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, Northern Ireland,
Australia, New Zealand Fiji, Hawaii and Guam provided they have
resided in those countries for at least 180 days.
You must provide advance notification of the following that must be
submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station with jurisdiction over
the intended air(sea)port of arrival no less than 40 days prior to
arrival: 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.
Your pet must have a
pet microchip that meets ISO Standard 11784 and 11785.
You have a Japan Veterinary Certificate
stating that the pet is healthy
and free of parasites. The certificate must be issued no more than
two days prior to arrival in Japan and completed by a licensed
veterinarian. Under the above circumstances
animals will be released from quarantine within 12 hours or less of
arrival in Japan.
On arrival in Japan, 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.
When trying to import dogs or cats, you must submit advance
notification of the planned date of arrival, number of animals and
other items to the Animal Quarantine Station which has jurisdiction
over your intended port of arrival at least 40 days prior to arrival
in Japan. 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.
ENTERING JAPAN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Your pet must have a microchip that meets ISO Standard 11784 and
11785.
The pet must be vaccinated against rabies not more than 12 months prior and the
second time not less than 30 days prior. After the two vaccinations
the pet must have a Blood Titer Test.
You have a Japan Veterinary Certificate
stating that the pet is healthy
and free of parasites and indicating the above vaccinations and the
results of the blood test. If the pet is traveling from the United
States or Canada, then USDA (US) or CFIA (Canada) State Veterinarian
endorsement is required. A copy of the Rabies Certificate and Blood
Titer Test results should also be included with the completed health
certificate.
You must provide advance notification of the following that must be
submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station with jurisdiction over
the intended air(sea)port of arrival no less than 40 days prior to
arrival: 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.
Pets not meeting the above requirements shall be quarantined for 180
days after arrival in Japan.
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Pet Passport Forms for Japan
Failure to comply with these regulations will mean that your pet may
be refused entry and the relevant authority in consultation
with an authorized veterinarian can decide to return the pet home, or place
the pet in quarantine at the expense of the owner or natural person
responsible for pet, or as a last resort, without financial
compensation, put the pet down where the return trip home or
quarantine cannot be arranged.
All other pets (birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles,
amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits) are not subject to
the regulations in respect of the anti-rabies vaccination but may
have to meet other requirements as to a limit on the number of
animals and a certificate to accompany them in respect of other
diseases. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information
from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the
country of destination.
VETERINARY CERTIFICATE
All countries have a unique veterinary certificates. This form
differs from the International Veterinary Certificate issued by
veterinarians in the United States. (APHIS 7001)
Find Veterinary Certificates
for countries worldwide.
Japan requires an ISO
pet microchip.
Everything essential for traveling with a pet can be found at PetTravelStore.com.