{"id":1836,"date":"2026-02-17T09:49:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T00:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/importing-pets-into-japan\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T10:23:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T01:23:37","slug":"importing-pets-into-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/ja\/importing-pets-into-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Importing a Cat or Dog\u00a0into Japan\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Procedures for\u00a0Importing\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those wishing to\u00a0relocate\u00a0to Japan with a\u00a0cat or dog, it is highly recommended to start the process well in advance\u00a0in order to\u00a0avoid your pet having to spend time in quarantine upon arrival in Japan.\u00a0While the procedures\u00a0differ\u00a0slightly based on country of export, the main requirements are listed below:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Veterinarian-implanted Identity Microchip\u202f<\/strong> 
Dogs and cats must be individually identifiable by a microchip with the ISO 11784 or 11785 standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Rabies Vaccinations<\/strong> 
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies with inactivated or recombinant vaccines at least twice after the microchip is fitted. The second vaccination must be at least 30 days after the first vaccination.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Rabies antibody test<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0
(For the measurement of rabies antibody levels)<\/em>\u00a0

The sample must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination, and the test must be conducted at a designated laboratory.\u00a0(The list of designated laboratories can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.)\u00a0

*For those importing from\u00a0certain\u00a0designated regions, this requirement can be waived. A\u00a0<\/em>declaration of transportation<\/em><\/a>\u00a0from Customs will be\u00a0required\u00a0instead.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. 180-day waiting period<\/strong> 
Dogs and cats are required to undergo a waiting period of at least 180 days between the date of the blood sampling and the date of arrival in Japan. Otherwise, quarantine will be required until the 180-day period is complete.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Advance Notification <\/strong> 
Importers must notify the Animal Quarantine Service a minimum of 40-days before arrival to Japan. For the smoothest application, it is recommended to submit copies of the rabies vaccination certificates, antibody test results, etc., at the same time for prior review and approval.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Health Inspection<\/strong> 
A health inspection, endorsed by a government agency, must be obtained within 10-days of arrival to Japan.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Import inspection on arrival in Japan.<\/strong>\u00a0
Upon arrival to Japan your paperwork,\u00a0as well as the\u00a0dog or cat\u00a0itself,\u00a0will be inspected. Fully and correctly completing the procedures\u00a0required\u00a0will allow you to take\u00a0your\u00a0pet\u00a0home\u00a0within 12 hours after arrival to Japan. Failure to complete any procedures correctly\u00a0can\u00a0result in your pet being held in additional\u00a0quarantine up to 180-days or returned to\u00a0the\u00a0country of export.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full details regarding the import of pets should be confirmed directly with The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF)’s website here.<\/a> If you have any questions regarding the process, it is best to contact MAFF directly as this is the government entity inspecting the paperwork upon arrival to Japan. (Inquiries written in English will be responded to in English.)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling with your\u00a0Pet\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether or not you can bring your pet in\u00a0cabin\u00a0depends on the airline carrier and size of pet.\u00a0Different\u00a0airlines have different\u00a0requirements;\u00a0hence\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0recommended you\u00a0check with your preferred carrier\u00a0well\u00a0in advance before booking the ticket.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those bringing their pet via cargo, many airlines do not transport pets between May and September due to the heat. Significant restrictions also apply between December through February due to the cold. This is to protect your pet, as your pet may spend time in non-climate-controlled areas of the airport.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Home with your Pet<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After\u00a0quarantine\u00a0clears, there are\u00a0multiple methods to\u00a0get home with your pet:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n