Import dogs and cats into Japan (from Non-designated regions)
To import dogs and cats from Non-designated regions, they must meet import requirements such as microchip implanting, at least two times rabies vaccinations, rabies antibody test, and 180-day waiting. And you need to obtain certificates, which certify 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 (Non-designated regions)
English(PDF : 880KB)
中文/Chinese(PDF : 970KB)
Korean(PDF : 828KB)
Japanese(PDF : 1,086KB)
Flow chart
Step 1 Microchip implanting
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Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.
(Precautions)
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Step 2 Rabies vaccinations (twice or more)
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Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies twice or more after the microchip implanting. (Timing of rabies vaccination) First rabies vaccination
Second rabies vaccination
*Effective period is not the expiration date for use of the vaccine, but the duration of immunity. (Acceptable vaccines)
(Precautions)
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Step 3 Rabies antibody test (serological test)
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Rabies antibody test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories. Blood sample for the test must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination. (The second rabies vaccination and blood sampling can be performed on the same day.)
(Precautions)
You can use the recommended certification form for serum of dog(s). PDF(PDF:105KB) , Word(Word:123KB)
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Step 4 Waiting period (180 days or more)
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Dogs and cats are required to arrive in Japan after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody test. In addition, the arrival date in Japan must be within ‘the expiry period of the rabies vaccine administered’ and ‘the validity period of the rabies antibody test (2 years from the date of blood sampling)’. (The date of blood sampling is counted as day 0). Dogs and cats whose waiting has passed less than 180 days will be subject to quarantine at a detention facility of Animal Quarantine Service for the period to make up the shortage. (Precautions)
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Step 5 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. (Precautions)
F.A.Q. about advance notification is here
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Step 6 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 7 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)Date of rabies vaccinations, effective period, kind of vaccine, product name and manufacturer of vaccine [→Step 2] (4)Date of blood sampling for a rabies antibody test, antibody titer, and name of designated laboratory[→Step3] (5)Result and date of clinical inspection (pre-export inspection) [→Step 6] Using the recommended certification form (Form AC) makes it possible for the importer to fill in the required information without any omissions.
(How to fill out Form AC) 1.The private veterinarian fills in the Form AC. 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 AC instead of the private veterinarian. 3.If you need more pages, fill in the ATTACH form in a same manner, and attach it to Form AC. 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)
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Step 8 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