Quarantine system for dogs and cats (import)
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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. ＊Contact desk for travel of dog, cat and rabbit at Haneda airport (Business hours 0830-1700) |
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.
Health certificates obtined by electromagnetic records will also be accepted (from December 1, 2022)
Health certificates that must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service can be submitted in the current way or if the government agency of the exporting country notifies in advance that an electromagnetic records of health certificates will be created, electromagnetic records may be used instead.
Countries of where health certificates obtained by electromagnetic records are accepted (as of August 1, 2023 
)
U.S.A, Brazil, Spain
For futher information, please contact Animal Quarantine Service.
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.
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.
Pet import procedures (ONLY the SOFA status service members)
Please refer to following web site.
Pet Import (Public Health Activity-Japan, U.S. Army Japan)(External Link)
