Japan Pet Import Requirements

Non-designated Region:
Rabies vaccination must be administered twice or more after the microchip is implanted.

First rabies vaccination:
Dogs and cats must be at least 91 days old at the time of vaccination (the date of birth is counted as day 0).
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated after the microchip is implanted. (Both procedures can be performed on the same day.)

Second rabies vaccination:
The second vaccination must be administered at least 30 days after the first vaccination (the date of the first vaccination is counted as day 0) and within the effective period of the first vaccination. If the effective period of the rabies vaccination will expire before the day of arrival in Japan, an additional vaccination must be administered within the effective period.

If administered after the effective period of the previous vaccination, it is not accepted as an “additional vaccination” and the importer must start the procedure from the first rabies vaccination.

*An effective period is not the expiration date for use of the vaccine (product), but the duration of immunity against rabies. As the duration may differ from product to product, you should confirm it with the veterinarian in charge of the vaccination.

Acceptable vaccines:
・Inactivated (killed) virus vaccine
・Recombinant vaccine
*These types of vaccines above must be satisfied the standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

*Live virus vaccines are not accepted.

Designated region:
No rabies vaccination is required if pet was born or resided in designated countries for at least six months

Non-designated Region:
Rabies antibody test required.
A blood sample must be taken at a veterinary hospital after the second rabies vaccination. (The second rabies vaccination and blood sampling can be performed on the same day.) The blood sample must be taken within the effective period of the rabies vaccination.

Designated Laboratories:
Rabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories.
The laboratories are designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan. The list of designated laboratories available.

*Test methods: FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test) or RFFIT (rapid fluorescent focus
inhibition test)

Test Results:
The rabies antibody titer must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml. If the antibody titer is less than 0.5 IU/ml, the test must be performed again.

Validity Period of Rabies Antibody Test: The test result is valid for 2 years from the date of blood sampling under conditions that the effective period from the first rabies vaccination continues with necessary additional rabies vaccinations.
Dogs and cats must arrive in Japan within the validity period of the rabies antibody test.
If unable to arrive within the validity period, another rabies antibody test is required.

*Waiting Period (180 days or more): The waiting period is 180 days or more (the date of the blood sampling for the rabies antibody test is counted as day 0).
Dogs and cats must arrive in Japan within the “effective period of the rabies vaccination” and the “validity period of the rabies antibody test” after at least 180 days from the date of blood sampling.
A dog or cat whose waiting period has less than 180 days will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service until the total time of the waiting period and the quarantine period reaches 180 days.

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 2^nd JULY 2025
As of the official statement from the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) website & updates from Biobest Laboratories Ltd.

ATTENTION: The laboratory testing facility from Biobest Laboratories Ltd., has been revoked from the list of designated laboratories due to violations of the designation standards. Individuals with certificates issued between November 27, 2024 and June 25, 2025, are kindly requested to contact the Animal Quarantine Office at your port of entry.

Thus, for rabies antibody titer test certificates issued between November 27, 2024, and June 25, 2025, AQS advises contacting the animal quarantine office at the intended port of entry for further guidance.

Further guidance from AQS:

1. The matter is currently under investigation in the UK. Depending on the outcome, test results from Biobest Laboratories may be reconsidered in the future.

However, no timeline has been provided for the conclusion of this investigation.
2. Confirm with Biobest Laboratories or the veterinary clinic that collected the blood whether the original serum sample is still in their storage.

If the serum is still available, a new rabies antibody titer test should be performed at a different designated laboratory (not Biobest).

In such cases, the 180-day waiting period required for import into Japan may begin from the original blood collection date, provided the result is ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.
3. For any inquiries regarding compensation or support related to the invalidation of Biobest’s test results, affected clients are advised to contact Biobest Laboratories directly.

The importer must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.

“Notification” form is available on the website of Animal Quarantine Service.

Notification can be made online through the NACCS

Hints for “Notification”"

・Date of birth (Age): If the date of birth is unknown, enter the age of the dog or cat at the time of arrival
・Scheduled place of arrival: Name of the expected arrival airport or seaport
・Consignor: The person exporting or traveling with the dog or cat from abroad ・Consignee: The person receiving the dog or cat upon arrival in Japan
・Date of identification: The date that the microchip was implanted
・Cargo or hand luggage: The type of transportation
・Name and address of destination: Place where the dog or cat will be kept after import into Japan
・Rabies vaccination: Information on rabies vaccinations administered
・Date of expiry: Not the expiration date for use of the vaccine, but the duration of immunity (effective period)
・Kind of vaccine: Rabies vaccination → inactivated (killed) virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine Other vaccination → names of target diseases (such as distemper, feline calicivirus, etc.)
・Date of blood sampling: The date that the blood sample was taken for the rabies antibody test

◆ For dogs: “Notification for Import of Dogs under the Rabies Prevention Law and the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law”
◆ For cats: “Notification of Import of Animals under the Rabies Prevention Law”

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) - Quarantine Regulations

For dogs and cats meeting certain requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period (for import inspection) will be within 12 hours.

Any dogs and cats that do not meet the requirements will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days). Depending on the results of the import inspection, the dog or cat cannot be allowed to enter Japan.

If no problems are found with the health condition of the dog or cat after completion of the quarantine period, an Import Quarantine Certificate will be granted and the dog or cat can be imported.

・Animal Quarantine Service may instruct some changes to the arrival date or the port of entry

・The quarantine period on the “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals” may be subject to change due to the results of the import inspection upon arrival in Japan.

The importer is responsible for all costs of quarantine other than the cost of inspections by Animal Quarantine Service.

・Cost of transportation from the port of entry to the detention facility (the importer cannot transport the dog or cat).
・Cost of caretaking during the quarantine (cost of food and cleaning/disinfection of cell) ・Lighting, heating and water expenses for detention facility
・Veterinarian’s visiting fee (if necessary)
・Cost of reshipment
・Cost of restoration such as repairs to the detention facility
・Other necessary expenses

The importer is responsible for caretaking and feeding during quarantine.

・At a detention facility where a caretaker company is stationed, the importer can entrust the caretaking and feeding duties to the caretaker.

・For information about the caretaking and feeding at a detention facility where a caretaker company is not stationed, contact Animal Quarantine Service.

Detention facilities where a caretaking company is stationed: Narita branch, Haneda Airport branch, Kansai Airport branch

（Precautions）

・During quarantine, dogs and cats cannot be brought out of the detention facility under any circumstances, except when the dog or cat is returned to the exporting country.

・Medical treatments at the detention facility by a private veterinarian is allowed. You are strongly recommended to find a veterinarian, who can come to the detention facility for medical treatments, before starting quarantine.

・In terms of health care for dogs and cats during quarantine and sanitary control of the detention facility, vaccinations (combination vaccine) and parasite treatments should be performed in advance in the exporting country.

If symptoms of rabies or, for dogs, leptospirosis is observed, the quarantine period may be extended and some additional examinations may be conducted.

Visiting your dog or cat during quarantine is allowed, but the visiting hours and the visitors are restricted. For further information, contact Animal Quarantine Service.

If dogs and cats meet import requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period will be within 12 hours

On the other hand, dogs and cats that do not meet the requirements will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days).

Depending on the results of inspection, the dog or cat may not be allowed to enter Japan.

Dogs and cats that are subject to quarantine for more than 12 hours must arrive at a port with a detention facility
Quarantine is conducted at a detention facility Animal Quarantine Service at the port of entry
Animal Quarantine Service with a detention facility: Airport: Hokkaido sub-branch (Iburi branch office), Narita branch, Haneda Airport branch, Chubu Airport branch, Kansai Airport branch, Fukuoka Airport sub-branch, Kagoshima Airport sub-branch 
Seaport: Yokohama head office, Kobe branch, Osaka sub-branch, Moji branch, Okinawa branch
 

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 2^nd JULY 2025
As of the official statement from the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) website & updates from Biobest Laboratories Ltd. 
***SEE "TESTS"

Dogs can be imported only through the following ports.

◆ Airport: New Chitose Airport, Narita International Airport,Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport), Chubu International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, Kagoshima Airport, Naha Airport

◆ Seaport: Tomakomai Seaport, Keihin Seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya Seaport, Hanshin Seaport (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon Seaport, Hakata Seaport, Kagoshima Seaport, Naha Seaport

The following dogs or cats are not suited for transport or quarantine. If it is necessary to import, we recommend you to contact your veterinarian in advance whether the dog or cat can endure the transportation and quarantined.

◆ Puppies, kittens or old age

◆ Pregnant or lactating

◆ With a history of illness, sickly, or currently receiving medication (other than for parasite

treatment)

◆ Injured

 

Dogs and cats must be inspected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.

Dogs and cats should be transported by direct flight/ship from the exporting country (designated region) to Japan. If transported through Non-designated regions (transit), a “seal for the transport cage” or an “additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)” must be obtained.
 

If a direct flight/ship is not used and the dog or cat arrives through Non-designated regions, either of the following conditions must be fulfilled.
1.The transport cage must be sealed in the exporting country.
- The seal prevents the transport cage from opening during transportation.
- A lock that can be opened with a key is not considered as a seal.
- Before boarding, should confirm that the seal is not broken.

2. Obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX).
-Ensure that dogs or cats do not come into contact with other animals during transportation (dogs or cats cannot be out of the transport cages). As proof, you must obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX) from animal quarantine agency or from Customs at the transit ports, airlines (or shipping lines), or captains.

Additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)
-The recommended form is available on the website of Animal Quarantine Service.
-To ensure that you obtain the certificate, you should contact the related agencies at the transit ports and ask about the procedure in advance.
- Submit it to Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan along with the certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country (recommended forms Form A and Form B)
- If the seal is broken or open upon arrival in Japan, or if the seal number does not match the number on the certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country, or if the additional certificate (ANNEX) is not complete, the dog or cat will be subject to 180-day quarantine at the detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service

Importer must apply for import inspection to Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan.

If no problems are found in the import inspection, we will issue an import quarantine certificate for the dog or cat.

In case that the dog or cat doesn’t meet import requirements, it will be subject detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned.

（Necessary documents）

• Approval of import Inspection of Animals
• Certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country (original)
• Result report of rabies antibody test
• （For cargo transportation）Application for Import Inspection (you can use online system ‘NACCS’), and a copy of Air Waybill or Bill of lading
• Application form for dogs（PDF：103KB） (EXCEL : 46KB)
  Application form for cats（PDF：103KB）  (EXCEL : 53KB)
• Power of attorney （if an agent, other than a customs broker, do the import procedures instead of the owner
  Example of power of attorney（PDF：185KB）
• Other documents that Animal Quarantine Service requires
• Business hours for travel of dog and cats at Narita, Haneda and Kansai Airports: 9:00 – 17:00 JST