Import dogs and cats into Japan (from the designated regions)

Animal Quarantine Service

Quarantine Regulations of DOG and CAT

Import from designated regions

Import from other regions

Export

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)

Import guide from the designated regions English(PDF : 804KB) , Japanese(PDF : 924KB)

Flow chart

flowchart for import from the designated regions

Step 1 Microchip implanting

Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip.

The microchip should comply with ISO 11784 and 11785 (15 digit microchip code consists only of numbers).
Make sure the microchip number can be read by a microchip reader at veterinary hospitals.

（Precautions）

In case that the microchip implanted is not ISO standards, you should contact Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry.
If our microchip reader cannot read the non-ISO microchip, you need to prepare a reader which can read it.
Microchip numbers starting with "900 202" are currently under investigation for their validity. Please note that for the time being, these microchips will not be accepted as a means of identification.(Apr.7, 2023)

F.A.Q. about microchip is here

Step 2 Regulations on residence

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

＜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.

List of Animal Quarantine Service at airport or seaport（PDF：107KB）
FAX transmission cover sheet： PDF(PDF : 26KB) 、Microsoft Word(WORD : 16KB)

＜Approval of Import Inspection of Animals＞

Animal Quarantine Service will examine the "Notification" and related documents to issue an “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals”. For export or boarding procedures, please print or save digitally the issued form.

＜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.

Modification on Notification of Import of Animals（PDF：30KB） (EXCEL : 15KB)

In case you submitted the notification via NACCS, modification must also be made through NACCS.

（Precautions）

Dogs can enter Japan only through the designated airports and seaports.
In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival in Japan is not accepted.
Please submit copy of some documents (e.g. export quarantine certificate if the dog or cat has been exported from Japan) with the advance notification to facilitate procedures.
Modifications of ‘moving up arrival date after submitting the notification’, ‘increasing the number of heads’, ‘replacing with different animals’, and ‘any change after the scheduled arrival date’ are not accepted in principle.
If there are any unclear points or deficiencies in the notification, we may not issue the Approval form.
In case that the detention facility is fully occupied, you may need to change the arrival date or the port of entry.

＊Detention fasility for cats at Haneda Airport Branch has been full.

F.A.Q. about advance notification is here

Step 4 Clinical inspection before departure (pre-export inspection)

Before leaving the exporting country, dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.

（Contents of clinical inspection）

Dogs and cats have been found to be free from any clinical signs of rabies.
In case of dogs, also the dogs have been found to be free from any clinical signs of leptospirosis.

Step 5 Obtaining certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country

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.
＊The recommended certification form has been changed as Form AB from end of March 2018.
Previous form(Form A, Form B 1／3, 2／3, 3／3) is available as well as new form.

Form AB：PDF(PDF : 76KB) 、 Microsoft Excel(EXCEL : 42KB)
ATTACH： PDF(PDF : 53KB) 、 Microsoft Excel(EXCEL : 29KB)

（How to fill out Form AB）

1.The private veterinarian fills in the Form AB. Endorsement from the government agency of the exporting country must be obtained.

2．Due to circumstance in the exporting country, official government veterinarian could fill in the Form AB instead of the private veterinarian.
As long as you have all of the blanks on the Form AB filled in and it’s endorsed, there is no problem.

3．If you need more pages, fill in the ATTACH form in a same manner, and attach it to the Form AB.

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. (from December 1, 2022)

Health certificates obtained by electromagnetic records is permitted when the required information is stated on the health certificate records or of its copy, and when it is confirmed that it has been issued by the government agency of the exporting country.

For futher information, please contact Animal Quarantine Service.

（Precautions）

Do not use pencils or erasable ink to fill in the certificates.
Use of correcting fluid or correction tape is not acceptable.
If there are any deficiencies in the certificates, the dog or cat will be subject to detention quarantine for up to 180days or will be shipped back . In order to prevent any errors in the certificates, we recommend you to send copy of the certificates to us in advance so that we check them.

F.A.Q. about obtaining certificates is here

Step 6 Regulations on transportation

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.

ANNEX：PDF(PDF : 118KB) , Microsoft Word(WORD : 49KB)

（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

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）

Approval of import Inspection of Animals
Certificates issued by the government agency of the exporting country (original) 【→Step 5】
Additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX) 【→if you choose obtaining ANNEX on Step 6】
（For cargo transportation）Application for Import Inspection (you can use online system ‘NACCS’), and a copy of Air Waybill or Bill of lading
Application form for dogs（PDF：124KB） (EXCEL : 46KB)
Application form for cats（PDF：103KB） (EXCEL : 53KB)
Power of attorney （if an agent, other than a customs broker, do the import procedures instead of the owner）
Example of power of attorney（PDF：185KB）
Other documents that Animal Quarantine Service requires

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).

breeding_dog

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.

F.A.Q. about detention quarantine inspection is here

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