Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Chile → Japan
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
about 7 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
about 6 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
Chile is in the group “Non-designated region” in Japan’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Japan
- Rabies blood test for some origins
- Advance notice to authority
What your dog needs
Dogs
Identification
ISO microchip
Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits). From non-designated regions it must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day is fine).
Details and the official words
Microchip numbers starting with "900 202" are currently not accepted.
“Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”
Notice
Advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service
Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your port of arrival at least 40 days before you arrive (online via NACCS or by email). They issue an 'Approval of Import Inspection'.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival is not accepted.
“Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.”
Vet exam
Pre-export clinical inspection
A vet examines your pet within 10 days before boarding (no signs of rabies; for dogs also leptospirosis) and checks the microchip.
Details and the official words
“Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.”
Paperwork
Government certificate from the exporting country
Get the certificate (Japan's recommended Form AC, or Form AB from designated regions) completed and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority, after the clinical inspection.
Details and the official words
SAG export certificate (CZE): Request the CZE from SAG within the 10 days before travel, once you have all the documents the destination needs. Online (with ClaveÚnica): mascotas.sag.gob.cl in the Metropolitan and Antofagasta regions, cerofilas.sag.gob.cl elsewhere; or in person at a SAG sectoral office (the only way without a Chilean RUN). It takes about 3 working days after 24 hours from receipt, and an online request only counts once it is paid.
Delivery is not immediate. For exports to Argentina the CZE is digital and can be downloaded with ClaveÚnica; for other destinations you collect it in person at the SAG office the email names.
If this is missed: Deficient certificates mean detention quarantine for up to 180 days or being shipped back.
“Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government agency (corresponding to Animal Quarantine service in Japan) of the exporting country.”
“debes solicitar el CZE dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje”
“Si toda la documentación presentada está correcta, el trámite demora aproximadamente 3 días hábiles, contados a partir de las 24 horas siguientes a la recepción de la solicitud.”
“La solicitud será recibida oficialmente por el SAG solo después de que el usuario/a haya completado el proceso de pago.”
“El costo para la emisión del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación (CZE) es de 0,41 UTM por una mascota.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination #1
First rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant) after microchipping, when your pet is at least 91 days old — Japan does not accept vaccinations given before 91 days.
Details and the official words
“At least 91days old at the time of vaccination”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination #2
Second rabies vaccination at least 30 days after the first, and before the first one's immunity runs out.
Details and the official words
“30 days or more apart from the first vaccination (the date of the first one is counted as day 0)”
Blood test
Rabies antibody test at a designated lab
Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result is valid for 2 years.
Details and the official words
“A blood sample for the test must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination.”
Waiting period
180-day waiting period
Your pet must arrive at least 180 days after the blood sample date, and while both the rabies vaccination and the antibody test (2 years) are still valid.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Pets arriving before 180 days are held in detention quarantine for the days still missing.
“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.”
Vet exam
Health certificate from a licensed vet
A licensed vet examines your pet and issues a health certificate within the 10 days before you travel (SAG publishes a model you can give your vet). You also need the vaccination certificates with the vaccine labels, a deworming certificate showing the date and product, and anything the destination adds, such as an import permit or extra tests.
Details and the official words
“Emitido por médico veterinario/a titulado, dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje.”
Good to know
- Dogs can only enter Japan through designated airports and seaports (e.g. Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Naha).
- Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
- Each country sets its own requirements: some need tests or procedures months before travel. SAG points you to its export requirements system (select the country, 'live animals', dog or cat, 'pet') and to its chatbot, and says to plan ahead.
- Most countries that require a microchip also require it to be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination and before any blood test or treatment.
- If you leave Chile only for a while, your pet can come back with the same CZE if it re-enters within 60 days of the date the certificate was issued, its rabies vaccination is still valid, and the CZE records its individual and permanent identification. Otherwise you need a certificate from the country you come from that meets Chile's entry rules.
- The SAG office at Bulnes 140 (Santiago Centro) does not process pet exit applications.
What your cat needs
Cats
Identification
ISO microchip
Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits). From non-designated regions it must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day is fine).
Details and the official words
Microchip numbers starting with "900 202" are currently not accepted.
“Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”
Notice
Advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service
Notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your port of arrival at least 40 days before you arrive (online via NACCS or by email). They issue an 'Approval of Import Inspection'.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival is not accepted.
“Applicants must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry not less than 40 days before arrival in Japan.”
Vet exam
Pre-export clinical inspection
A vet examines your pet within 10 days before boarding (no signs of rabies; for dogs also leptospirosis) and checks the microchip.
Details and the official words
“Before leaving the exporting country (within 10 days before boarding), dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection by a veterinarian.”
Paperwork
Government certificate from the exporting country
Get the certificate (Japan's recommended Form AC, or Form AB from designated regions) completed and endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority, after the clinical inspection.
Details and the official words
SAG export certificate (CZE): Request the CZE from SAG within the 10 days before travel, once you have all the documents the destination needs. Online (with ClaveÚnica): mascotas.sag.gob.cl in the Metropolitan and Antofagasta regions, cerofilas.sag.gob.cl elsewhere; or in person at a SAG sectoral office (the only way without a Chilean RUN). It takes about 3 working days after 24 hours from receipt, and an online request only counts once it is paid.
Delivery is not immediate. For exports to Argentina the CZE is digital and can be downloaded with ClaveÚnica; for other destinations you collect it in person at the SAG office the email names.
If this is missed: Deficient certificates mean detention quarantine for up to 180 days or being shipped back.
“Applicants must obtain certificates issued by the government agency (corresponding to Animal Quarantine service in Japan) of the exporting country.”
“debes solicitar el CZE dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje”
“Si toda la documentación presentada está correcta, el trámite demora aproximadamente 3 días hábiles, contados a partir de las 24 horas siguientes a la recepción de la solicitud.”
“La solicitud será recibida oficialmente por el SAG solo después de que el usuario/a haya completado el proceso de pago.”
“El costo para la emisión del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación (CZE) es de 0,41 UTM por una mascota.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination #1
First rabies vaccination (inactivated or recombinant) after microchipping, when your pet is at least 91 days old — Japan does not accept vaccinations given before 91 days.
Details and the official words
“At least 91days old at the time of vaccination”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination #2
Second rabies vaccination at least 30 days after the first, and before the first one's immunity runs out.
Details and the official words
“30 days or more apart from the first vaccination (the date of the first one is counted as day 0)”
Blood test
Rabies antibody test at a designated lab
Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result is valid for 2 years.
Details and the official words
“A blood sample for the test must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination.”
Waiting period
180-day waiting period
Your pet must arrive at least 180 days after the blood sample date, and while both the rabies vaccination and the antibody test (2 years) are still valid.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Pets arriving before 180 days are held in detention quarantine for the days still missing.
“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.”
Vet exam
Health certificate from a licensed vet
A licensed vet examines your pet and issues a health certificate within the 10 days before you travel (SAG publishes a model you can give your vet). You also need the vaccination certificates with the vaccine labels, a deworming certificate showing the date and product, and anything the destination adds, such as an import permit or extra tests.
Details and the official words
“Emitido por médico veterinario/a titulado, dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje.”
Good to know
- Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
- Each country sets its own requirements: some need tests or procedures months before travel. SAG points you to its export requirements system (select the country, 'live animals', dog or cat, 'pet') and to its chatbot, and says to plan ahead.
- Most countries that require a microchip also require it to be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination and before any blood test or treatment.
- If you leave Chile only for a while, your pet can come back with the same CZE if it re-enters within 60 days of the date the certificate was issued, its rabies vaccination is still valid, and the CZE records its individual and permanent identification. Otherwise you need a certificate from the country you come from that meets Chile's entry rules.
- The SAG office at Bulnes 140 (Santiago Centro) does not process pet exit applications.
Government fees we know of
- SAG Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación (CZE), one pet (UTM = Chile's monthly tax unit; +0.22 UTM per additional pet on the same certificate)0.41 UTM (+0.22 per extra pet)
Vet, lab and courier costs are not included. The final amount can depend on how many tests or pets are on the certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Chile to Japan?
Yes: Blood sample after the second vaccination (same day allowed), tested at a Japan-designated laboratory: at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Japan?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Japan?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
Yes: Your pet needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits).