Quarantine system for dogs and cats (import)

Dogs and cats imported into Japan must undergo import quarantine inspection.

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 cannot be allowed to enter Japan.

＊New contact desk for travel of dogs & cat at Narita airport from Sep/19/2018.
＊Detention fasility for cats at Haneda Airport Branch has been full.
Currently hot water cannot be used at the quarantine facility at Haneda due to equipment failure.

Importer's responsibility

The importer (person imports dogs or cats) is responsible for all the import procedures at their own expense.

Import procedures

Import procedures vary depending on the export country or region of the dogs and cats.

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.

For detail information of assistance dogs, please refer to following web site.
"Assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities" Portal site (External Link)

Transit (Connecting flight at the same airport in Japan)

If you do NOT go through immigration of Japan and remain with your pets at the departure gate or your pets remain in the warehouse during the connecting flight, import quarantine in Japan will not be applied for the pets.

The airline staffs of inbound flight carry out the procedures for transit pets instead of you.

We may request a copy of a health certificate of your pets via the airline staffs.

Please ask them about the details. dogs

If you import your pets to Japan regardless of staying time, your pets must fulfill import requirements in Japan.

【Note】

Your pets may NOT be handled as transit in the following situations.

1. No business tie-up between each airline company of the inbound and outbound flight. Please ask the both companies.

2. In case that transportation way changes between the inbound and outward flight.

e.g. from hand luggage (checked baggage) to air cargo.