Taking dogs and cats abroad from Japan

1 Procedures and documentation required

Q: I want to take my dog (cat) abroad. What documentation do I need?

A:When taking a dog (cat) abroad from Japan, export application form and certificates issued by a veterinarian for treatments to meet the regulation to enter the destination country is needed. Please submit export application through the NACCS system and needed documents at least 10 days before the desired date of export inspection.
If you can not use NACCS system, please fill out and submit Application for export inspection form by e-mail. Please be sure to check the entry regulation of the destination country with animal quarantine authorities of the country or their foreign embassy in Japan（External Link）.
Please note that, depending on the entry conditions, special arrangements and/or an extended period of time, etc., may be required for the export quarantine.
Import quarantine inspection is needed when the dog (cat) comes back to Japan, and certain preparations are required in order to ensure that the quarantine period is within 12 hours. It is recommended that you undertake this preparation before leaving Japan, especially in case you will be out of Japan for just a short period (two years or less).For further details please refer to section 4 ‘Short trips abroad’.

Q:Does the certificate issued by a local veterinarian have to be in English?

A:Documents to be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Station in Japan may be in either Japanese or English.

Q:The certificate has a different owner name due to change of ownership.Will it be matter?

A:As long as there are no errors in your pet's identification information, there will be no problem, but we may ask you about your circumstances.

Q: Do I need to get a health certificate from a local veterinarian?

A:For export inspection at Narita, Haneda or Kansai airports, the inspection will be carried out by a veterinary officer. It is not necessary to submit a health certificate to these Animal Quarantine Services. If you would like to have the inspection carried out at a different Animal Quarantine Service, please consult when applying for the export inspection. Depending on the country of destination and the airline you are using, you may also need a certificate from a local veterinarian. Please check in advance.

Q:Will an "APPROVAL FOR EXPORT INSPECTION receipt" be issued following an application for export inspection?

A:In the case of export, there is no "APPROVAL FOR EXPORT INSPECTION receipt".
We will reply to you in several days after you submit the application.We might not have received your application if you don't receive a reply within 1 week after submission.
Please contact the Animal Quarantine Service you sent your application to.

2 Individual identification by Microchip

Q:What is a microchip? Will it affect the health of the dogs (cats)?

A: A microchip is a small device (approximately 11mm long x 2mm wide) for identification and is inserted into the animal's hypodermis.
These microchips are used in countries across the world including Japan, and they do not affect the health of dogs (cats).

Q:Where can I go to have my pet microchipped?

A: You can have microchip implanted at a veterinary clinic. Please consult your nearest veterinary clinic. Or, your can consult the Japan Veterinary Medical Association.

3 Vaccination against rabies

Q:What is the ‘valid period' for rabies vaccinations?

A:The ‘valid period' refers to the period for which a vaccine inoculation continues to be effective. There are many types of rabies vaccine, which have different valid periods. Please note that the valid period, may affect preparations in the country of export. Please be sure to check in advance.

Q:Is it possible to take a dog (cat) animal out of Japan when it has not been immunized against rabies, or when it has only been immunized very recently?

A:If the dog (cat) has undergone export quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Service, it can be taken abroad regardless of whether or not it is immunized against rabies, or regardless of how many days have passed since it received the vaccination. (Please note that annual rabies vaccinations are compulsory in Japan). However, depending on destination country, rabies vaccinations may be obligatory, or there may be a set number of days which must have passed since immunization took place.
Please be sure to check entry conditions of the destination country with the animal quarantine authorities of the country or the foreign embassy in Japan（External Link）.

Q:The dog tag is the only piece of identification I have in hand. Can this be accepted for the rabies vaccination certificate?

A:Dog tags are not acceptable for of rabies vaccination certificates.
So, please get rabies vaccination certificate issued by a veterinarian.
If you can not identify the veterinarian who shot the vaccine in case of mass vaccination,please contact the local government responsible for the mass vaccination.

Q:On the export inspection application form, there is a box to fill in the product name and manufacturer of the rabies vaccination. Is it necessary to fill in?

A:If the name of the rabies vaccine and the manufacturer's details are not required in the country of destination, you don't have to fill in.
Please be sure to check entry conditions of the destination country with the animal quarantine authorities of the country or the foreign embassy in Japan（External Link）.

4 Short trips abroad

Q:I want to take my dog (cat) on a short trip abroad. Will the animal be subject to quarantine when I leave and re-enter Japan?

A:Even when going on a short trip, dogs or cats are subject to export quarantine upon departure and import quarantine as well upon arrival back to Japan.

When your destination is NOT a designated region
(What are "the designated regions"?---Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii and Guam.)

【Import procedure】
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 you re-import dog or cat to Japan in a short period,all of the following treatments must be carried out in order before departure from Japan.

(1)Microchip implanting

(2)The first rabies vaccination：After (1)Microchip implanting and must be administered at an age of at least 91 days old (the date of birth is counted as day 0).

(3)The second rabies vaccination：It must be administered at least 30 days after and within the effective period of the (2)first vaccination. (the date of the first vaccination is counted as day 0)

(4)Rabies antibody test (serological test)
Blood sample for the test must be drawn after and within the effective period of the (3)second rabies vaccination.
The test must be performed at one of the designated laboratories and the antibody titer must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.

If these treatments are carried out in the right order and if the antibody titer against rabies is equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml, the dog or cat can re-enter Japan in a short period after departure from Japan.

【Export procedure】
It is necessary to apply for export inspection to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS), where you would like your dog or cat to be checked, at least 10 days before the desired date of inspection.
In the export inspection, individual identification of dogs (and cats) will be carried out.
After we confirm the original documents of the following certificates documents upon export inspection, information of these treatments will be recorded on the export quarantine certificate.

(1)Microchip identification certificate
(2)Rabies vaccination ceritificate
(3)Result report of rabies antibody test(Issued by designated laboratory)
(4)Documents of other treatments required by the destination country

The result of the blood test is valid for two years after the date of blood sampling.
If the dog or cat returns during this two year valid period of the blood test result,you will need to obtain a health certificate issued by the responsible government authority of the exporting country(the recommended certification form : Form RE (PDF 75KB), (EXCEL 34KB) and ATTACH (PDF 53KB), (EXCEL 28KB) ) in addition to the Export Quarantine Certificate, which was issued when leaving Japan.
If there are no problems with the content of that health certificate,the quarantine period upon returning to Japan will be within 12 hours.

（Precautions）
Please note,if the effective period of the rabies vaccination is due to expire before the day of arrival in Japan,
additional vaccination must be administered within the effective period.
In such cases, you must obtain a health certificate issued by the responsible government authority of the exporting county containing the mentioned additional vaccination.
*If the validity period of the rabies antibody titer test expires before arriving in Japan (if two years or more passes after the date of blood drawn in Japan), it is necessary to have blood sampled again in the country of stay and conduct the antibody titer test at a designated laboratory.
If vaccination is administered after the effective period of the previous vaccination has expired (even for 1 day), it will not be accepted as an “additional vaccination” and all of treatments will be invalid.
To import the dog or cat with a quarantine period of within 12 hours, it is necessary to restart from the rabies vaccination procedure.
The rabies antibody test will have to be performed again, and the 180 days waiting period in the exporting country will also be required.

If you are planning to take your dog or cat abroad with you, please check below.
Export dogs and cats from Japan

When your destination is a designated region(Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii and Guam)

【Import procedure】
It is necessary to submit advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service to the airport at which you intend to arrive, at least 40 days prior to returning to Japan.

If the following could be confirmed by a health certificate issued by the responsible government authority of the exporting country (the recommended certification form : Form AB (PDF 76KB), (EXCEL 40KB) and ATTACH (PDF 53KB) (EXCEL 28KB) ) , the quarantine period upon returning to Japan will be within 12 hours:

(1)Microchip implanting

(2)That the animal has been kept only in designated regions since being exported from Japan

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

(4)That at the inspection prior to departure from that designated region the animal dose not have or is not suspected of having rabies (in case of dogs, rabies and leptospirosis)

If you are planning to take your dog or cat abroad with you, please check below.
Export dogs and cats from Japan

5 Conditions of entry into other countries

Q:When I checked the conditions of entry with the destination country, I was told that a certificate issued by the Japanese government 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 an ‘Export Quarantine Certificate for Dogs (Cats)’.This certificate proves that export quarantine is completed,and the dog(cat) is free from signs of rabies (in case of dogs, rabies and and leptospirosis).

Please check our web site the below.
Export dogs and cats from Japan

Q:When I checked the conditions of entry with the destination country, I was told that certification of immunization against rabies etc. and/or tests are required. What should I do now?

A:Please obtain a certificate from the veterinarian who gave the animal any immunization and/or tests required for entry into the country you wish to travel to. If this is presented 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 destination country?

A:Please check with the the animal quarantine authorities of the country and/or foreign embassy in Japan（External Link） .

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 is required.
Check with each country’s animal quarantine authorities etc and/or embassy in Japan by yourself.

Q:Proof of residence in Japan is required as one of the entry conditions for the destination country. What should I do?

A:Please indicate the period of residence for which you require proof in the remarks box of the application for export inspection.

6 Shipping

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

A:Dogs (cats) are subject to export quarantine when being taken abroad, regardless of the way 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 way or method of transport. However, certain countries impose restriction on transportation, so please check in advance with the animal quarantine authorities of the country or the foreign embassy in Japan（External Link）.

Q:Where in the airplane will the dog (cat) be kept? How much will it cost? What kind of cage should the dog (cat) be carried in?

A:Please contact the airline for information.

Q:My pet has a medical history. Can it board a plane?

A:Spending long periods of time in unfamiliar places can be very stressful for your pet.
Please take care of your pet's health condition until departure/arrival.Pets that are old, in poor health, pregnant, nursing, on medication or injured are not suitable for transport and quarantine.
If it is unavoidable to import/export your pet, please check with your veterinarian and the airline in advance to ensure that your pet can withstand transport and quarantine.
Also, if you are departing from Japan, please check that your pet's medical history will not be a problem for entry into your destination country.

Q:What should I do with my pet after the export inspection?

A:The Animal Quarantine Service will not keep your pets after export inspection.
If you are bringing pets as hand luggage, please check them in yourself. If they are being transported as cargo, please hand them over to your customs agent yourself.
If you have had your pet inspected for export a few days before your departure, please take it home with you and avoid contact with other animals.

Q:Can I give my pet a sedative?

A:We recommend that you avoid giving your pet any medication it has never taken before whenever possible.
If it is absolutely necessary, we recommend that you obtain a thorough explanation from your veterinarian before administering.
Also, please check in advance that there is no restriction in the regulation of your destination country with the animal quarantine authorities of the country and/or foreign embassy in Japan（External Link） .

7 Make a reservation

Q:Is it necessary to make a reservation for export inspection?And How can I make it?

A:Depending on the requirements of the destination country, the export inspection location may be limited or the inspection may require an extended length time.
Once you have decided on your export plans, please contact the Animal Quarantine Service where you intend to have your export inspection done as soon as possible by e-mail.
You can make a reservation after Application for export inspection has been submitted.
Please check the PDF files for detail.(PDF)

【How to reserve】
1.Submit the application for export inspection
Please submit export application through the NACCS system or by e-mail at least 10 days before the desired date of export inspection.
2.Make the appointment
Please fill in the「Remarks」box what time and date you want to come for the export inspection or tell us by e-mail.
We will check the availability and reply to you about your reservation date and time.
Also,please send Animal Quarantine Service needed documents for export quarantine attach to NACCS system or by email.

【Contact】
Animal Quarantine Service

Please find more details in our website:Export dogs and cats from Japan

8 Quarantine costs

Q: How much will export quarantine cost?

A:Inspection by animal quarantine officers is free of charge, but the exporter has responsibility for bearing the cost of any immunization, health checks by vets etc. required in order to fulfil the conditions of the country to which the exporter is travelling.

9 Time needed for procedures

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

A:You can only have export inspection during our reception time.
Animal quarantine service introduces a complete reservation system for export inspections so that anybody who takes their pets abroad can have the inspection as he/she planned.

The reception time of Narita branch（hand luggage inspection division/cargo inspection division）,Haneda airport branch and Kansai airport branch is here.

If you would like the export inspection done at other branches,please contact them directly by email.

make a reservation （PDF:206KB）

Export inspection can be done before your departure date. Please have it done by the day before departure if you will take a flight in the early morning.

Q:Can I carry out import/export procedures myself? Or do I need to hire an agent?

A:If you are exporting as cargo, we have heard that you will need to use a customs clearance agent to carry out the customs clearance procedures after export inspection.

Q:How long will the export quarantine examination take?

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

Taking dogs and cats abroad from Japan

1 Procedures and documentation required

2 Individual identification by Microchip

3 Vaccination against rabies

4 Short trips abroad

5 Conditions of entry into other countries

6 Shipping

7 Make a reservation

8 Quarantine costs

9 Administration time

1 Procedures and documentation required

2 Individual identification by Microchip

3 Vaccination against rabies

4 Short trips abroad

5 Conditions of entry into other countries

6 Shipping

7 Make a reservation

8 Quarantine costs

9 Time needed for procedures