Bringing Dogs and Cats to Japan | Japan Pet Importing and Transportation Services

Following Japan’s import regulations is vital for successfully relocating your pets to the country. This applies to simple domestic relocations as well as complicated pet relocation from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo. The main goal is to avoid quarantine. Having the appropriate paperwork ensures your cats and dogs receive a smooth entry.

Understanding the Key Requirements for a Smooth Entry

In order to maintain its rabies-free status as a country, Japan’s pet import regulations are inflexible and very strict. The process relies on mandatory preparatory steps and the waiting period.

Microchip Implantation: Since no rabies vaccine may be given without your pet being microchipped, identification comes first.

Rabies Vaccinations: Two rabies vaccinations are mandatory for your pet. The first one may be given as soon as the pet is 3 months old. The second must be given no more than a year before the intended date of import.

Titer Test: A rabies blood test is obligatory following your second rabies vaccination. This test verifies the success of the vaccination and evaluates the level of rabies antibodies.  

Advance Notification: You must get in touch with Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at least 40 days prior to your pet’s arrival in the country.

Waiting Period: This is the most important step. Following the successful blood test, your pet must remain in the country of export for 180 days, but not exceeding 2 years, before entering Japan. Not observing this period means the pet will be quarantined upon arrival in Japan until the 180 days are completed.

Arrival Procedures and Documentation

AQS officers will check your pet and documents upon your arrival in Japan.

• Quarantine: Provided all documents have been met, pets will undergo the required inspection and quarantine for no more than 12 hours. In the absence of documents, the quarantine period will extend to 180 days. AQS staff bear the brunt of the paperwork, which is estimated to take 6 months. So, plan accordingly.
• Required Documentation: You must submit the following to AQS:
  • International Health Certificate
  • Two Rabies Vaccination Certificates
  • Advanced Notification Acknowledgement from AQS
  • Import Quarantine Application Form (provided by AQS)

Importing Pets as Unaccompanied Cargo

Your pet will have specific requirements and costs if it travels to Japan as unaccompanied cargo.

• Documentation: Provide the same documents as for accompanied pets. Importing as cargo takes more time and costs more.
• Owner Presence: A proxy can apply for the quarantine inspection. The pet owner does not have to be there.
• Fees and Costs: Narita quarantine services charge a detention fee of 3,000 JPY or more per day (depending on size) for all pets. This fee includes basic boarding, food, and care during detention. Additional fees are for transportation, kennel, customs clearances, import tax, and proxy fees.

Meticulous planning is required to coordinate the tough timelines, vaccinations, blood tests, and the essential 180-day waiting period. That’s where the value of professional pet transportation services comes in. They take care of all the details so that no time is wasted on quarantine.

If the rules set by Japan authorities seem too difficult to handle on your own, it’s advisable and reasonable to consider hiring professional pet relocation services. They will take care of everything and provide you with all the help required—from the first microchip to the last AQS clearance—ensuring your pet’s safe and legal arrival in Japan (or anywhere else in the world).