Import and export quarantine of dogs and cats
A person who fails to have inspection of dog shall be either imprisoned up to three years or fined up to three million Japanese yen (N.B. A juridical person shall be fined up to fifty million Japanese yen); and that of cat shall be fined up to 300 thousand Japanese yen.
Import quarantine: Depending on the results of quarantine, the dog or cat cannot be allowed to enter Japan. |
Importer and exporter's responsibility
Person who intends to import/export dogs or cats is responsible for the quarantine and must do all the necessary procedures at their own expense.
Import guide
Import procedures differ in where the dogs and cats come from.
Export guide
Export procedures vary depending on the destination of dogs and cats, and whether there is any possibility of returning to Japan.
Rabies antibody testing laboratories (Biobest Laboratories Ltd)
Rabies antidody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories.
This facility(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 has been revoked from the list of designated laboratories due to violations of the designation standards.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.
At this moment, Animal Health Division of MAFF is working with the relevant authorities of the UK government to confirm the situation. We are planning to inform persons who have already submitted the notification of import individually about the future course of action.
Other relevant topics:
Health certificates obtained by electromagnetic records are also accepted
Animal Quarantine Service accepts health certificates issued by the exporting country/region, or that obtained by electromagnetic records from certain countries, namely U.S.A, Brazil and Spain (as of 26 March, 2024 ).
Travelling with your assistance dog
Assistance dogs (guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs regulated by law in Japan) need to meet the same import requirements.
If you plan to come to Japan with your assistance dog, make preparations in advance and make early contact with Animal Quarantine Service at the expected airport/seaport of entry.
Notice to assistance dog users from overseas can be found at the following website:
"Assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities" Portal site (External Link)
Import of laboratory dogs or cats
- Import requirements (as of February 2024)(PDF : 130KB)
- List of the designated facility
- Recommended health certificate form AD : PDF(PDF : 318KB) 、Microsoft Excel(35KB)
Pet import procedures ONLY for the SOFA status service members
Please refer to the following website.
Pet Import (Public Health Activity-Japan, U.S. Army Japan)(External Link)