Export dogs and cats from Japan
When taking a dog or cat abroad, the dog or cat must meet both the entry conditions of the destination country and the exit conditions of Japan.
The exporter must make prior application for export inspection to the Animal Quarantine Service and the dog and cat must undergo export quarantine at the date and hour directed by the Animal Quaranitne Officer.
Export guide - preparation for departure
STEP 1 Check entry conditions of the destination country
Please check your dog's or cat's entry conditions of the destination country with the embassy or animal quarantine authorities.
STEP 2 Check entry conditions of Japan, if there is any possibility of return
Please check the (re-)entry conditions of Japan referring to the short trips abroad.
Depending upon the measures taken, the import quarantine period could be within 12 hours or longer, up to 180 days.
If there is no possibility of return, please skip and proceed to STEP 3.
STEP 3 Take neccessary measures at clinics to meet the entry and re-entry conditions
Take necessary measures such as microchipping, vaccinations and blood testing before departure and get certificates from the veterinary clinics.
Note. Blood sampling and the antibody titration of rabies need to be undertaken at the clinics and the MAFF's designated laboratories, respectively.
STEP 4 Apply for export inspection, min. 10 days in advance
Apply for export inspection to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS), where you would like your dog or cat to be checked, at least 10 days before the desired date of inspection.
Please e-mail to the AQS all the certificates/attestations obtained at STEP 3 as attachments (max.5MB/mail).
Note
1) The e-mail message itself may not be received, if the total size exceeds 5MB per mail. Also links to compressed files and external storage are not acceptable due to security reasons.
2) The SOFA status service members returning to US are requested to submit ID card, PCS order, DD form 2208 and 2209 at the time of inspection.
In reply, the AQS informs available dates and hours for inspection and the result of preliminary document checks.
It is recommended to check whether the microchip is readable, before the day of export inspection.
STEP 5 Export inspection and issue of export quarantine certificate
Export inspection is conducted within 10 days before departure, unless conditioned by the destination country.
Hours for the appointment of export inspection at AQS, Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports are daily between 8:30 and 16:30.
(Note. Only for checked and carry-on buggage at Narita airport. Please inquire directly for other AQS.)
E-mail to the AQS, telling the acceptable date and hour for inspection and make a reservation.
The inspection and issue of export quarantine certificate (in English) usually takes around 30 - 60 minutes, and longer depending such as on the number of animals and entry conditions of the destination country. So please make an appointment at the date and hour well ahead of the departure.
At the reserved date and hour, make sure to bring your dog or cat together with all the original certificates/attestations for export inspection.
Documents for export inspection
- Application for export inspection
Application forms: For dogs（PDF：124KB） (EXCEL : 21KB)
For cats（PDF：93KB） (EXCEL : 18KB)
or
- Application number, if applied through the NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System) with user registration
- Certificates/attestations of measures undertaken to meet the entry conditions of destination countries
N.B.:
1) An indelible pen must be used in case of handwriting.
2) Animal Quarantine Service may contact the private veterinarian and the designated laboratory to confirm contents of the certificates without notice.
When counterfeits are found on the certificates presented for export inspection, the AQS would not issue the export quarantine certificate and the dog(s) or cat(s) cannot be exported.
3) When a person other than the applicant or consignor brings the animal for export inspection, the person must submit a "Power of Attorney" given by the applicant.
