🇯🇵 Pet Import to Japan

Japan enforces some of the world's strictest pet import requirements, administered by the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The process for dogs and cats entering Japan from most countries involves multiple steps and a minimum 180-day preparation period. Dogs and cats must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant chip before any vaccination or testing. Two primary rabies vaccinations are required: the first at least 30 days apart from the second, with both given after microchip implantation. A rabies antibody titer test must then be performed at a MAFF-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the second vaccination, showing a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. A waiting period of 180 days from the date of the successful titer test must elapse before the animal can enter Japan. Pets from designated rabies-free regions (Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, UK, and others) may qualify for a reduced quarantine of as little as 12 hours if all documentation is flawless. All pets arriving in Japan face a mandatory inspection and potential quarantine at the port of entry; the standard quarantine for non-designated countries is up to 180 days. A pre-export inspection and advance import notification submitted at least 40 days before arrival are required. Owners must contact the AQS well before initiating the process. Exotic animals and birds require additional permits under Japan's Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species.