Import dogs and cats into Japan (from the designated regions)
Animal Quarantine Service |
Laws and Regulations |
Quarantine Regulations of DOG and CAT |
Import from designated regions |
Import from other regions |
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To import dogs and cats from the designated regions (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and Guam), they must meet import requirements (e.g. microchip implanting, etc.). And you need to obtain certificates, which satisfy necessary information, issued by the government agency of the exporting country. Contact list of Animal Quarantine Service at airport or seaport(PDF : 63KB) |
Import guide
In the beginning, please read the import guide.
- Import guide (designated regions)
Flow chart
Step 1 Microchip implanting
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Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip.
(Precautions)
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Step 2 Regulations on residence
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Dogs and cats must fulfill at least one of the following three conditions; 1.The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region since birth. 2.The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan. 3.The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region since being directly imported from Japan. If none of the above three conditions is fulfilled and the dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for less than 180 days, it must be subject to detention quarantine upon arrival in Japan to compensate for the insufficient days (180 days minus the days when it was kept in a designated region). |
Step 3 Advance notification
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<Advance notification> Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan. You can submit the notification form by mail, fax, or e-mail.
Or notification can be made online through the NACCS.
<Approval of Import Inspection of Animals>
<Modification on notification> In case of any changes in the notification, you need to submit a ‘Modification on Notification of Import of Animals’ by mail, fax, or e-mail to Animal Quarantine Service. In case you submitted the notification via NACCS, modification must also be made through NACCS. (Precautions)
*Detention fasility for cats at Haneda Airport Branch has been full. |
Step 4 Clinical inspection before departure (pre-export inspection)
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Before leaving the exporting country, dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian. (Contents of clinical inspection)
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Step 5 Obtaining certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country
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Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government agency (corresponding to Animal Quarantine service in Japan) of the exporting country. (Required information in the certificates) (1)Individual information (including date of birth or age) (2)Microchip number and date of implanting [→Step 1] (3)Correspond statement of regulation on residence [→Step 2] (4)There has been no case of rabies for at least 2 years prior to export in the exporting country. (5)Result and date of clinical inspection (pre-export inspection) [→Step 4] (6)Seal number (if the transport cage is sealed) [→Step 6] Using the recommended certification form (Form AB) makes it possible for the importer to fill in the required information without any omissions.
(How to fill out Form AB) (Precautions)
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Step 6 Regulations on transportation
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Dogs and cats should be transported by direct flight/ship from the exporting country (designated region) to Japan. If transported through Non-designated regions (transit), a ‘seal for the transport cage’ or an ‘additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)’ is necessary. 1.The transport cage must be sealed in the exporting country. A veterinary officer of the government agency of the exporting country must seal the cage by a sealing instrument called ‘seal’. The seal number must be stated on the certificate issued by the government agency of the exporting country.[→Step 5] 2.You must 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). As proof, you obtain an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX) from animal quarantine agency or from Customs at the transit ports, airlines/shipping lines, or captains. (Precautions) If there are any deficiencies on the seal or additional certificate (ANNEX), the dog or cat will be subject to detention quarantine at Animal Quarantine Service for 180 days. |
Step 7 Import inspection
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Dogs and cats must be inspected by Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan. Importer must apply for import inspection to Animal Quarantine Service upon arrival in Japan. If no problems are found in the import inspection, we will issue an import quarantine certificate for the dog or cat. In case that the dog or cat doesn’t meet import requirements, it will be subject detention quarantine for up to 180 days or will be returned . (Necessary documents)
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Detention quarantine inspection
Dogs and cats which don’t meet import requirements including certification deficiency will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days).
The importer is responsible for caretaking, feeding, and all the costs during quarantine.
The importer can entrust the caretaking and feeding duties to a caretaker company at your expense.
Detention facilities where a caretaking company is stationed: Narita branch, Haneda Airport branch, Yokohama head office, and Kansai Airport branch.
(Precautions)
- During quarantine, dogs and cats cannot be brought out of the detention facility under any circumstances, except when the dog or cat is returned to the exporting country.
- If necessary, a veterinarian can visit at the detention facility for medical treatments.
- Visiting your dog or cat during quarantine is allowed, but the visiting hours and visitors are restricted.
- If symptoms of rabies or, for dogs, leptospirosis is observed, the quarantine period may be extended and some additional examinations may be conducted.
- For dogs and cats scheduled to be subject to detention quarantine, vaccinations (combination vaccine) and deworming treatment should be performed in advance.
Designated airports and seaports where import of dogs is allowed
Dogs can be imported only through the following ports.
(Airport)
New Chitose airport, Narita international airport, Haneda airport, Chubu International airport, Kansai International airport, Kitakyusyu airport, Fukuoka airport, Kagoshima airport, Naha airport
(Seaport)
Tomakomai seaport, Keihin seaport (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya seaport, Hanshin seaport (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon seaport, Hakata seaport, Kagoshima seaport, Naha seaport
If you import cats or come with your assistance dog (guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs regulated by law in Japan) through a port other than listed above, please contact Animal Quarantine Service in advance.
(Reference) Necessary procedures after import into Japan
- We cannot reissue the import quarantine certificate. You need to keep the certificate because it is necessary when you export the dog or cat that has been imported into Japan. If you are planning to export the dog or cat, please make early contact with Animal Quarantine Service at a port of departure.
- For dog’s importer, you need to bring the import quarantine certificate to the municipality, where the imported dog is kept, for registration within 30days of import.
- Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies once a year under the Rabies Prevention Law in Japan. For further information, contact the municipality office.
- The microchip number (currently only those in accordance with ISO standards) can be registered domestically with the import quarantine certificate. For further information, contact AIPO (Animal ID Promotion Organization).
(AIPO office)TEL:03-3475-1695, FAX:03-3475-1697