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Exit guide

Taking a dog or cat out of Japan

Exit rules verifiedChecked 2026-10-09Authority: Animal Quarantine Service

The steps the authorities in Japan require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.

The steps

  1. Notice

    Apply for export inspection (NACCS)

    Once your travel is confirmed, apply to the Animal Quarantine Service through NACCS (or by email to the AQS where you want the inspection), at least 14 days before the date you want. Attach the certificates from your vet clinic, fill in your preferred date and time in the remarks, and wait for AQS to reply: you cannot reserve a time before you have applied.

    Details and the official words

    “at least 14 days before the desired date of inspection”

  2. Official stamp

    Export inspection and AQS export quarantine certificate

    Bring your pet and all the original certificates to the AQS at the reserved time (an agent needs a power of attorney from you). The inspection and the English export quarantine certificate usually take 30 to 60 minutes. The inspection is done within 10 days before departure unless the destination sets a different period.

    Details and the official words

    If the destination's rules set a different period for the inspection, follow that; our 10-day window is Japan's general one.

    “Export inspection is conducted within 10 days before departure, unless conditioned by the destination country.”

Good to know

  • Your pet must meet both the destination country's entry conditions and Japan's exit conditions. Check the destination's conditions with its animal quarantine authority or its embassy in Japan.
  • Might your pet come back to Japan? Check Japan's re-entry conditions before you leave: depending on the measures taken, the import quarantine can be under 12 hours or up to 180 days. Blood sampling and the rabies antibody test must be done at a vet clinic and a MAFF-designated laboratory.
  • Check that your pet's microchip can be read before the day of export inspection.

Where are you taking your pet?

Routes from Japan where we cover both sides.