NEWS

Taking raccoons (foxes, skunks) abroad from Japan

1 Procedures and documentation required

Q:I want to take a raccoon (fox, skunk) abroad. What should I do?

A:When taking a raccoon (fox, skunk) abroad from Japan, it is necessary for the animal to undergo export quarantine. The quarantine is basically a clinical check so no special documentation is required.
However, some countries require immunization and/or medication etc. as part of the conditions of entry into that country, so please check in advance and prepare the necessary documents according to those conditions of entry. Please note that depending on the conditions, special arrangements may be required, or an extended period of time (several days) may be required for the quarantine etc. For this reason, please contact the Animal Quarantine Service where your animal will undergo export quarantine as soon as your export plans have been finalised, and submit an Export Quarantine Application Form at least seven days in advance of the intended export date.
When returning to Japan with a raccoon (fox, skunk) that you have taken out of the country, import quarantine is necessary. When bringing the animal back from a country other than an designated region (rabies-free country or region), the quarantine period is 180 days.
However, if the animal has been brought back from a designated region, the quarantine period may be completed within12 hours, although certain preparations are required to ensure this. It is recommended that you undertake this preparation before leaving Japan, especially in cases when you will be out of Japan for just a short period (two years or less). For further details please refer to section 2 ‘Short trips abroad'.

2 Short trips abroad

Q:I want to take a raccoon (fox, skunk) on a short trip abroad. Is the animal subject to quarantine when I leave and re-enter Japan?

A:Even when only going on a short trip, raccoons (foxes, skunks) are subject to export quarantine on departure and import quarantine on arrival back in Japan.

When your destination is not a designated region (rabies-free country or region)

It is necessary to submit advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service at the airport at which you intend to arrive, at least 40 days prior to returning to Japan. The quarantine period is 180 days.

When your destination is a designated region (rabies-free country or region)

It is necessary to submit advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service at the airport at which you intend to arrive, at least 40 days prior to returning to Japan.
If the following is proven by a quarantine certificate issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export, the quarantine period upon return to Japan will be within 12 hours:

(1)Individual identification by microchip

(2)That the animal has been kept only in a designated region (rabies-free countries or region) since being taken out of Japan

(3)That there have been no outbreaks of rabies in the designated region in the past two years

(4)That the animal does not have or is not suspected of having rabies at the quarantine carried out prior to departure

Please note that if the microchip was fitted in Japan, this information will be included on the Export Quarantine Certificate, so please submit any document to prove the above at the time of the export quarantine. If you intend to take a raccoon (fox, skunk) abroad with you, please consult the Animal Quarantine Service well in advance.

3 Conditions of entry into other countries

Q:When I checked the conditions of entry with the country I wish to travel to, I was told that a health certificate issued by a Japanese government agency is required. What kind of document is this?

A:This is a certificate issued on completion of export quarantine at the time of departure, and is called ‘Export Quarantine Certificate for Raccoons (Skunks, Foxes)'.

Q:When I checked the conditions of entry with the country I wish to travel to, I was told that certification of dates of rabies or other diseases vaccination and inspection is required. What should I do now?

A:Please obtain a certificate from the veterinary clinic where the animal underwent any immunization and/or tests required for entry into the country you wish to travel to. Please present the certificates at the time of the export quarantine, the details on the certificate will be included in the Export Quarantine Certificate.

Q:How can I check the conditions of entry for the country I wish to travel to?

A:Please check with the foreign embassy in Japan and/or the animal quarantine authority.

Q:I will be going from one foreign country to another. Is it necessary to fulfil conditions of entry for each country?

A:It is necessary to fulfil not only entry conditions but also exit conditions for each and every country. Careful planning will be required. This includes checking with each country's embassy in Japan and/or animal quarantine authority.

Q:When I checked the conditions of entry with the country I wish to travel to, I found out that an import permit is necessary, and that a certificate is required in advance for this. Is it possible to get the certificate issued by the Animal Quarantine Service?

A:Firstly, please check the certification required by the country you intend to travel to, and where to obtain from that certificate. If you are told that you require a certificate issued by a Japanese government agency, please consult the Animal Quarantine Service.

4 Shipping

Q:Are quarantine procedures affected by the mode of transport used to take animals out?

A:Raccoons (foxes, skunks) are subject to export quarantine when being taken abroad, regardless of the mode of transport (airplane, ship etc.) or the method of transport (cargo, hand luggage etc.) used. Quarantine procedures are not affected in any way by the shipping method.
However, certain countries have restrictions on transportation modes and methods, so please check in advance with the foreign embassy in Japan or with the animal quarantine authority.

Q:What do I need to be aware of when taking a raccoon (fox, skunk) on an airplane?

A:Animals can become subject to considerable stress when kept in an unfamiliar place for long period of time, so please pay careful attention to animal health prior to departure. Raccoons (foxes, skunks) 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 at the destination. If it is unavoidable to take such an animal abroad, please consult your vet and airline well in advance, to determine whether or not the animal will be able to cope with the transportation and import quarantine.
Please make sure that the cages used for transporting the raccoons (foxes, skunks), 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 air transportation for animals? How much will it cost?

A:Please contact the airline for information.

5 Advance notification

Q:Is it necessary to make an appointment for export quarantine?

A:Appointments are not necessary, but depending on the destination, special arrangements may be required, or quarantine may take considerable time (several days), so please contact the Animal Quarantine Service where the animal will undergo export quarantine well in advance, once export plans have been finalized. Please ensure that the Export Quarantine Application Form is submitted at least seven days in advance of the intended day of export.

6 Quarantine costs

Q:How much will export quarantine cost?

A:Export inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service is free of charge.

7 Time needed for quarantine

Q:I am leaving on an early morning flight. What time does the office open?

A:Please contact the Animal Quarantine Service where the animal will undergo quarantine.

Q:How long will the export quarantine inspection take?

A:One hour is usually enough time in which to complete the health check and produce the certificate. However, please come to the Animal Quarantine Service in good time prior to check-in.

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