Pet Transportation to Japan
Pet Shipping to Japan Introduction
Your Pet Relocation Specialist at Continental Pet Relocation will guide you through the entire process of your pet(s) relocation. Our services always include detailed instructions & guidance regarding airline & country-required documents, templates, pre-filled health certificates, and FedEx prepaid labels for USDA endorsement processing. Please view the below overview of the requirements for importing pets to Japan.
Pet Travel Microchip & Vaccinations Requirements
Time frame: Recommended at least 180 days prior to departure date
Japan requires pets arriving from The US to have a microchip, 2 rabies vaccines, a blood test, advanced notification, and an import permit.
Microchip
Must be implanted before 1st rabies vaccination with proof of implant date or verification date. The microchip must be recorded on rabies certificate(s) and rabies titer blood test results.
*Exception if implanted before second rabies if the blood is drawn for the titer test same day
Rabies
1st Rabies Vaccination pet must be at least 91 days old at the time of vaccination
2nd Rabies Vaccination-administered at least 31 days after 1st vaccination
FAVN-OIE Rabies Antibody Test Results
Serum rabies antibody levels must be ≥0.5 IU/ml and must be carried out at a laboratory approved by the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries in Japan. Animals microchipped before or on the day of the 1st rabies vaccine, the serum sample may be collected on the date of the 2nd vaccination or any day until the end of the effective period of the 2nd vaccination.
Approved Laboratories:
An original document is required for travel
180 Day waiting period from blood draw
- Approved Permit from Japan Animal Quarantine Station
- International Health Exam with Nationally Accredited Veterinarian-Issuance of Japan Form AC Health Certificate, transit Certificate for the EU, and APHIS7001 US Health Certificate for airline
- USDA endorsement of Health Certificates (no USDA needed if approved military veterinarian)
Other recommended vaccines/treatments
Immunization: Japan recommends that the following immunizations be given to dogs and cats that are 91 days old or older 30 days prior to their arrival in Japan (within the vaccine immunization effectiveness period).
- Dogs: distemper, contagious hepatitis (Adenovirus type II acceptable), parvovirus infectious disease trivalent vaccine (parainfluenza, leptospirosis, coronavirus)
- Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia trivalent vaccine
Parasite treatment: Japan recommends the following parasite treatments before departure (no more than 4 days before boarding):
- External parasites: Treat with medicines effective against mites and fleas, and at the time of export have a clinical inspection to confirm that the animal is free from these parasites.
- Internal parasites: administer medicine effective against nematodes and tapeworms.
Pet Import Documentation
Time frame – Within 10 days prior to departure
Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by The USDA or approved military veterinarian within 10 days of the dog or cat departure.
Japan Pet Import Services
We can provide the following import services for Japan:
- Advanced Notification
- Import Permit
- Customs Clearance
- Quarantine Clearance
- Boarding
- Ground transport delivery within Tokyo
- Forward flight to OKA, FUK, IWK, HIJ
Read Our Reviews