Bringing dogs and cats into Japan from abroad

1 Advance notification

Q:I want to take my dog/cats to Japan. What documents needed?

A:You must submit ‘Notification for importation of animals' and Health certificate isuued by exporting country.
You can submit notification by NACCS system either download the ‘Notification for importation of animals' form from the Animal Quarantine Service website.
Once you have completed all the necessary sections of the form, you should e-mail to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over the intended air/sea port of arrival.

Q:Can I submit advance notification even if our flight number has not been determined?

A:You can submit advance notification. Please fill in 'estimated vessel( or flight) number' or 'to be determined' in the column of 'Name of scheduled vessel (or flight No.)'.After the flight number is finalized, please modify from NACCS system or please submit 'Modification on Notification' to Animal Quarantine Service to which you submitted advance notification.Modification is here.

Q:There have been changes to my import plans since I submitted the notification. What should I do?

A:You can modify from NACCS systems either download the ‘Modification on Notification of Import of Animals' form from the Animal Quarantine Service website.

(NACCS systems)
In case the last digit of the notification (application) number is “0”, you can correct it yourself.If it is not “0”, please contact us.

(Hand writing)
Once you have completed all the necessary sections of the form, you should e-mail to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over the intended air/sea port of arrival.

Q:I’m not sure the "Type of microchip" box in the Notification. How do I fill in?

A:You do not have to fill in if you are not sure. For samples of how to fill in the notification, please refer below "How to fill in the Notification".

How to fill in the notification(Non-designated regions)(PDF：751KB)
How to fill in the notification (Designated regions) (PDF：736KB)

Q:At the last minute, I have just found out that I have to bring dogs (cats) into Japan but I have not submitted any advance notification. Is it still possible to bring them in?

A:Advance notification is required at least 40 days in advance of the intended date of import, so please reconsider any changes to the date of import.
If you are not able to change your plan due to unavoidable circumstances, please submit advance notification of import to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over the intended air/sea port of arrival immediately and consult.
In case you will import dogs and cats from the Non-designated regions (Other than Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam),please submit "Rabies serological test report".
However, if the animal needs to be held for more than 12 hours and there is no room available in the facilities, you will be required to change the place and/or date of import.

2 Individual identification by microchip

Q:What is a microchip? Will it affect the health of the dogs (cats)?

A:A microchip is a small device (approximately 11mm long x 2mm wide) for identification and is inserted into the animal's hypodermis. These microchips are used by countries across the world including Japan, and they do not affect the health of dogs (cats).

Q:Where can microchip can be fitted for dog(cat)?

A:Microchips can be fitted at veterinary clinics, so please contact your nearest one for advice.

Q:The animals already have microchips fitted but I am not sure of their specifications or numbers. Is there any way I can find out?

A:Please first inquire with the vet who fitted the microchip. Alternatively, you might check with another veterinary clinic which has microchip readers.

Q:What will happen if the animals arrive in Japan without microchips injection?

A:If animals do not have a microchip, we will look as animals who no individual identification measures have been taken, and will therefore be held for up to 180 days on arrival in Japan.
However please note that in the case of dogs, the dogs will be considered not to have the proper certificate, they will be returned to country of exported.

Q:My pet is identified with a non ISO microchip. Do I need to implant an additional ISO microchip?

A:In case your pet is identified with a non ISO microchip, please confirm with your veterinarian whether the microchip works correctly before departure.Or please bring the microchip reader can read your pet microchip with you.Also, We(Japanese animal quarantine) have some microchip reader can read comply with ISO 11784 and 11785.

Q:Does the microchip contain vaccination records?

A:Usually, microchip contains only the unique number which stands for your pets permanent ID.We will read the pet's microchip upon arrival, and confirm whether the microchip number matches with the microchip number stated on the Health certificate.

3 Rabies vaccination

Q:The animals got against rabies with live vaccines. Will this be accepted?

A:We will accept only inactivated or recombinant vaccine. Live vaccine are not accepted.

Q:What is the ‘valid period' for rabies vaccinations?

A:The ‘valid period' refers to the period for which a vaccine inoculation continues to be effective.
There are many types of rabies vaccine, which have different valid periods.
Please note that the valid period, may affect preparations in the country of export.
It is not expiration date for the vaccine itself.
Please be sure to check in advance.

Q: I’m not sure the "Kind of vaccination".

A:Please refer to the rabies vaccination certificate on hand, or ask your vet."KILLED" and "INACTIVATED" are inactivated vaccines, whereas "RECOMBINANT" are modified vaccines.

Q:Please explain why it is necessary for the animals to be immunized against rabies two or more times.

A:In some cases, only one time rabies vaccination does not result in sufficient immunity (antibody levels).
It is therefore necessary for animals to be vaccinated two or more times in order to ensure sufficient immunity.

Q:The animals have received rabies vaccinations but have not been fitted with a microchip. Will this be acceptable?

A:Any immunization against rabies carried out prior to the implantation of the microchip will not be accepted.
However, you proceded as the below we regard rabies vaccination carried out prior to the implantation of the microchip as the first vaccination .

Please look at page 18 of [Reference 1] Rabies vaccination administered before microchip implantation in the ”Guide to importing dogs and cats into Japan from Non-designated regions”

Also,if you will get this procedure,please contact us in advance.
(If you take a mistake, you must re-start from rabies vaccination step.)

Q:Why are rabies vaccinations given under 91days of age not acceptable?

A:Due to effect of maternal antibodies and the immune system being immature in young animals,vaccinations given under 91 days of age are deemed invalid.

4 Immunization against diseases other than rabies

Q:Are vaccinations and certificates of immunization against any diseases other than rabies required?

A:An animal will not be denied importation or given a longer quarantine period on the grounds that it has not been immunized against a disease other than rabies.

However in case you are departing to another country immediately after entering Japan, and the country needed vaccination other than rabies,your pet must get it.
Also, we recommend get against a disease other than rabies and parasite treatment if your pet get quarantine detention inspection when you arrival.
Due to may become susceptible to illness (especially infectious diseases), as a result of suffering stress due to transportation or a change in environment.

5 Measurement of antibody levels and waiting period

Q:Please explain the rationale behind the measurement of antibody levels and the 180-days waiting.

A:Antibody levels are measured in order to confirm whether or not the animal has developed immunity to rabies. The reason for the waiting is to make sure that the animal has not contracted rabies prior to developing immunity to it as a result of immunization. 180 days corresponds to the incubation period for the disease.

Q:What laboratories testing body will undertake the measurement of rabies antibody levels? Who bears the cost of this inspection?

A:Please look at the Animal Quarantine Service website to find what laboratories will carry out the measurement of antibody levels. Laboratories are added to the list on the website once they get designated. Please note that the owner of the animal is responsible for bearing the cost of the test.

Q:The animal has been vaccinated but the antibody levels do not meet the required standard. What should I do?

A:You should consult a vet to find out whether to wait a while before having the pet tested again, or to have the animal receive additional vaccination before being tested again.
Please note that the 180 days waiting begins as the date of blood sampling for the test which revealed antibody levels more than 0.5IU/mL.

Q:I found a mistake in the rabies antibody certificate.What should I do?

A:Please submit the certificate to our office by e-mail first.
No corrections on the certificate can be made,not even by the vet who took the blood sample, once the certificate is issued.
If you have found a mistake within the following items, basically you need to apply for a reissuance to the testing facility.
Microchip number
Date of blood sampling
Antibody titer

6 Export Certificate

Q:When should I get the Health Certificate issued by the government agancy of the exporting country?

A:Please get clinical inspection (for rabies and leptospirosis (dogs only))by a own veterinarian or a veterinary officer of a government agency of the exporting country within 10 days before boarding,and after that get the Health Certificate issued by the government agancy of the exporting country.Please refer to our guide to get the certificate issued by the government agancy of the exporting country.

(Designated regions)
(Non-designated regions)

If your pet is scheduled to go other country within one year after entering Japan, please check the entry regulation of the exporting country and note it on the certificate issued by the government agancy of the exporting country.
If you are unable to have a clinical inspection within 10 days before leaving, please consult the animal quarantine service where your pet arrives in advance.

Q:Where can I find out which government agency can issue of Export Certificate?

A:Please check with the animal quarantine authority of the country of export.

Q:How do I submit the Original health certificate, when my pet is exported as manifest cargo?

A:Ususally, the Health certificate is entrusted to the airline/shipping company with your pet upon departure.The certificate arrives to Japan attached to your pets crate, of handed from the airline/shipping company upon import procedures.The ORIGINAL Health certificate is nessesary upon import inspection.Pay attention to lost of it.For further details. please confirm to the airline/shipping companys.

7 Quarantine period and inspection

Q:How will you take the quarantine period if the animal has not completed its 180-days waiting when it arrives in Japan?

A:In case that the animal meets all other conditions except the waiting time,the days of remaining in the 180-days waiting become quarantine period on arrival in Japan.Please note that the period does not include the day on which the application for quarantine was submitted, or the day on which the Import Quarantine Certificate was issued.

Q:My pet has medical problems but cannot fulfill the 180days of waiting period in my country. Will the quarantine period be shortened or waived?

A:No. There are no exceptions.You need to start prepareing as soon as you make plans to visit/live in Japan, so that you have enough time to fufill the 180days of waiting period.

Q:Is it possible to visit dogs (cats) during quarantine?

A:It is possible to visit dogs (cats) during quarantine but there are some restrictions. Please ask the animal quarantine service at your arrival airport for details.

Q:What does the quarantine detention involve? Under what circumstances is such detention necessary?

A:Detention quarantine inspection is carried out in case that the animal does not fulfill the conditions for a quarantine within 12 hours. In such case the animal is held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service for a certain period of time, and inspected to ascertain whether or not it has symptoms of rabies (in the case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis). Clinical check for the symptoms is the only way of verifying rabies in a living animal. In cases where symptoms of leptospirosis are shown, the animal may be subject to a laboratory test.

Q:Please advise of any precautions that should be taken when undergoing quarantine.

A:Animals can become subject to considerable stress when kept in an unfamiliar place for an extended period of time, and are susceptible to illnesses (especially contagious diseases) so please pay careful attention to animal health prior to departure.

Even if an animal becomes sick during the quarantine period, it cannot be released from the quarantine facility. Dogs (cats) that are old, in poor health, pregnant, lactating, have a history of illnesses, on medication or injured are not suited to transportation or the import quarantine that follows. In case that it is absolutely necessary to bring such an animal into Japan, please consult your regular vet well in advance, to determine whether or not the animal will be able to cope with the transportation and import quarantine.

Even for healthy dogs (cats), it is recommended that you consider immunization against diseases other than rabies and administration of certain drugs prior to departure, after consulting your vet about vaccinations and getting rid of parasites. (In the case of dogs, the recommended immunizations include: a trivalent of distemper, infectious hepatitis and parvovirus infection; parainfluenza; leptospirosis; coronavirus infection etc. In the case of cats they include a trivalent of feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopenia etc.)

Q:How do I make arrangemnts for the quarantine facility?

A:You need to submit the Notification and resasons why you cannot wait for your pet to fufill the 180days of waiting period.Then, we will confirm weather there is a vacant room for your pet.If the quarantine facility is full upon your date of arrival, you may be directed to change your port of arrival.

You need to submit the Notification and notice us (animal quarantine) as you want to get detention quarantine.
Then, we will confirm whether there is a vacant room for your pet.If the quarantine facility is full upon your date of arrival, you may be directed to change your date of arrival or port of arrival.

Q:Where will my pet be quarantined?

A:Your pet will be quarantined at a facility near by the airport. For further informations, please contact our office.

8 Import quarantine in your own home

Q:I would like to get the import quarantine detention at own home in Japan due to the animal has disease histories or is old. Is this possible?

A:Import quarantine cannot take place in your own home even though animals have disease histories or are old.Please make all necessary preparations in the country of export to ensure that the quarantine period is within 12 hours.

9 Quarantine for helper dogs (rescue dogs, Assistance Dogs)

Q:Are helper dogs (rescue dogs, Assistance dogs ) also subject to import quarantine?

A:Even if helper dogs (“Rescue dogs”, “Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons” ) are subject to the same import conditions as all other dogs. Please make all necessary preparations in the country of export to ensure that the quarantine period is within 12 hours.
Please check the below for details.
Import guide

Pay attention, Service dogs mental disorders, autism, emotional disorders, epileptic disorders, PTSD, etc. cannot be accepted as Assistance dogs in Japan.
About Assistance Dog, please check the below.
"Assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities" Portal site (External link)

10 Transportation of dogs (cats)

Q:Please advise of any precautions that should be taken when taking a dog (cat) on an airplane.

A:Animals can become subject to considerable stress when kept in an unfamiliar place for an extended period of time, so please ensure that the animal is in good condition prior to departure. Dogs (cats) that are old, in poor health, pregnant, lactating, have a history of illnesses, are on medication or are injured are not suited to transportation or the import quarantine that follows. In case that it is unavoidable to bring such an animal into Japan, please consult your vet and airline well in advance, to determine whether or not the animal will be able to cope with transportation and import quarantine. Please make sure that the cages used for transporting dogs (cats) are large enough for them to stand, sit, sleep and turn freely, and have a vent which allows sufficient ventilation in order to transport them safely and avoid injury. Cages should be constructed in such a way that animals cannot poke their snouts or limbs out of the vent or mesh, and should have anti-escape features.

Q:How do I go about arranging to take the animal on an airplane? How much will it cost?

A:Please contact your airline about this.

Q:Are quarantine procedures affected by the way of transport?

A:Quarantine procedures are not affected by the way of transport whether it be cargo or hand luggage and whether it be airplane or ship.

Q:Will there be any quarantine problems if there is transship on the way to Japan (i.e. a non-direct flight)?

A:Requirements differ whether your pet is exported from a (1) designated regions or a (2) non-designated regions.

(1)Designated regions(Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam)
You have 2 options.
1. Seal the cage at the exporting country.
The seal number must be stated on the Health certificate issued by exporting country.
2. Obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)’.
Ensure that dogs and cats do not come into contact with other animals during transportation (dogs and cats cannot be out of the transport cages).
And you must obtain an ANNEX.
The ANNEX must be certified from either of below of the transit country.
Animal quarantine agency
Customs
Airline
Captain

(2)Non-designated regions
If you do not enter the country of transit, no additinal certification is nessary.
If you enter the country with your pet during transit, you need to obtain an Health certificate from the country of transit.
For further details,consult the Animal Quarantine Service (Japan) of the arrival port.

In certain cases, transit procedure may be required at the transit country. Please ask transit country.

Q:The animal needs to be transferred onto a domestic flight within Japan. Where will import quarantine take place?

A:In principle, animals undergo import quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over the airport at which they arrive in Japan on an international flight.
Please get import quarantine inspection before customs inspection at baggage claim area.

Q:Can I transport only my pets and receive them at Japan ?

A: Please contact to the airline if it can be or not. Also, please confirm about Customs clearance.

Q:Can I give my pet a sedative?

A: We recommend that you avoid giving your pet any medication it has never taken before whenever possible.
If it is absolutely necessary, we recommend that you obtain a thorough explanation from your veterinarian before administering.
For the import inspection, the health status and microchip number of the dog (cat) will be checked.
So, please make sure that the dog (cat) will be prevented from the influence of any medication during the import inspection.

Q:I am looking for a pet transportation company.Also, I want to know a airline where I can travel with my pet.

A:As a Government agency, we do not introduce any companies.Please serch in the internet or ask the airline you wish to use.

Q:Can I bring in pet food?

A:Even if pets food include meet items can not be brought in under by Japanese law.Please ask animal quarantine office if you are thinking of bringing them in.

Q:My pet is travling in cabin with me. Do I need to bring a carry?

A:To avoid contact other animal and airport regulations, all animals must be kept inside the carry/crate when they are inside the airport.In case your dog is not certified as the assistance dog as defined in the Law Concerning Assistance Dogs for the Disabled, please bring your dog (even if it is a service dog) in the carry/crate to the animal quarantine counter in the baggage claim area before going through customs inspection.Service dogs for mental disorders, autism, emotional disorders, epileptic disorders, PTSD, etc. cannot be accepted as assistance dogs in Japan.To get more information on the assistance dog, please check the following website.

Notice to Assistance Dog Users from Overseas

Q:My pet has a medical history. Can it board a plane?

A:Please take care of your pet's health before departure/entry, as prolonged exposure to an unfamiliar place can cause great stress.
Dogs (cats) that are old, sickly, pregnant, lactating, have a pre-existing medical condition, are taking medication, or are injured are not suitable for transport or quarantine inspection at a detention facility.
If you have no choice but to take your dog or cat out of the country, please consult with your veterinarian or the airline company to ensure that it can withstand the transport and the detention before you take them.

11 Quarantine costs

Q:How much does import quarantine cost?

A:Import inspection by animal quarantine officers is free of charge.
However, the importer is responsible for bearing the cost of transportation to the quarantine facility, cares during the quarantine period, electricity and water,vet visits etc.
Please ask caretaking company about cost of cares during the quarantine period.

12 Time needed for procedures

Q:I have heard that if preparations have been successfully done in the country of export, the quarantine period will be within 12 hours.However how long is actually required for the procedures?

A:Upon arrival, we will check the certificate issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export and a dog or cat.In case that the quarantine period is within12 hours, the inspection usually takes less than one hour, it might take more relay on the situation.
In order to we finished check the certificate speedly,we strongly encouraged to you obtain a certificate based on the form recommended by the Animal Quarantine Service.

Q:What are your business hours for the import inspection?

A:In the case of "Hand luggage" including "in cabin" or "checked baggage", the animal quarantine service is available anytime regardless date and time.
In the case of “Air Cargo”, the reception hours are fixed so we will be informed when we send the approval for you notification.If you need to confirm the reception hours in advance, please check with your animal quarantine service.

Q:Can I carry out the import procedures by myself? Do I need to hire an agent?

A:The procedure of animal quarantine can be performed by yourself. In the case of "Air Cargo", if it it difficult for you to clear customs personally, you need to outsource it to a custom broker.

13 Care of the animals during the quarantine period

Q:Who feeds take care of the animals during the quarantine? Is it possible to have a third party to take care of animals being held?

A:The importer is responsible for taking care of animals during the quarantine. However, if this is difficult, you can have a caretaker to do it for you. There are caretaker agents in some airport.So it is also possible to contract feeding and care arrangements to them. For further details, please ask the Animal Quarantine Service when submitting the advance notification.

14 Other

Q:If I want to made my pet defecated before taking the animal quarantine, is there any toilet for my pet in the airport?

A:There is no toilet for the pet in the airport.

Bringing dogs and cats into Japan from abroad

1 Advance notification

2 Individual identification by microchip

3 Rabies vaccinations

4 Immunization against diseases other than rabies

5 Measurement of antibody levels and waiting period

6 Export Certificate

7 Quarantine period and inspection

8 Import quarantine in your own home

9 Quarantine for helper dogs (rescue dogs, Assistance dogs)

10 Transportation of dogs (cats)

11 Quarantine costs

12 Time needed for procedures

13 Care of the animals during the quarantine period

14 Other

1 Advance notification

2 Individual identification by microchip

3 Rabies vaccination

4 Immunization against diseases other than rabies

5 Measurement of antibody levels and waiting period

6 Export Certificate

7 Quarantine period and inspection

8 Import quarantine in your own home

9 Quarantine for helper dogs (rescue dogs, Assistance Dogs)

10 Transportation of dogs (cats)

11 Quarantine costs

12 Time needed for procedures

13 Care of the animals during the quarantine period

14 Other