Pet travel route
Dog or cat from the Dominican Republic to Japan: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 7 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination #1 and rabies vaccination #2 and 5 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 5 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Japan puts the Dominican Republic in the group “Non-designated region”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed and tell the authority in advance.
- No import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving the Dominican Republic publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. DIGEGA's page lists the steps and documents but gives no deadline before departure and doesn't say when the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) stamp or the VUCE single-window process is needed. Start early and ask DIGEGA (809-535-9689, ext. 307) what applies to your destination.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
about 7 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)
about 6 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
How early to start (cats)
about 7 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)
about 6 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: 180-day waiting period (180 days after the blood sample)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tell the authority in advance
Which rules apply to you
Japan puts the Dominican Republic in the group “Non-designated region”. See every group
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Rule change for pets travelling from the Dominican Republic to Japan
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Dominican Republic → Japan
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether the Dominican Republic (leaving) or Japan (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Japan
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.
Some microchip numbers have been found on more than one animal (Japan's examples start with 900). Once you know when your pet will arrive, notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your arrival airport promptly: a duplicate chip can mean re-chipping and redoing the steps.
“Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”
VaccinationEntering Japan
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 91 days old at the time of vaccination”
VaccinationEntering Japan
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 testEntering Japan
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 periodEntering Japan
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.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Japan
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.”
Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic
Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record
Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.
Details and the official words
“Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”
“Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”
“Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”
“Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”
“Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”
PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and Japan
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
Bring the original certificates. Electronic certificates are accepted from the USA, Brazil and Spain, and from Hawaii and Guam, when they carry the required information and are confirmed as issued by the government authority.
DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.
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 authorities of the exporting country (corresponding to Animal Quarantine Service in Japan).”
“Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”
“Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”
“Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”
“Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”
“1-24 Horas”
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”
NoticeEntering Japan
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.”
Good to know
- Dogs can only enter Japan through 19 designated ports: the airports New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Itami, Kobe, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Naha, and the seaports Tomakomai, Keihin, Nagoya, Hanshin, Kanmon, Hakata, Kagoshima and Naha. For cats or a registered assistance dog arriving elsewhere, contact the Animal Quarantine Service first.
- Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
- Meeting DIGEGA's requirements doesn't replace your destination's entry requirements: check them before you start, as some countries ask for a microchip, a rabies blood test or other certificates. DIGEGA recommends starting well ahead of your travel date.
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Japan
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.
Some microchip numbers have been found on more than one animal (Japan's examples start with 900). Once you know when your pet will arrive, notify the Animal Quarantine Service at your arrival airport promptly: a duplicate chip can mean re-chipping and redoing the steps.
“Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip before the first rabies vaccination.”
VaccinationEntering Japan
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 91 days old at the time of vaccination”
VaccinationEntering Japan
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 testEntering Japan
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 periodEntering Japan
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.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Japan
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.”
Vet examLeaving the Dominican Republic
Health certificate from a vet, with an up-to-date vaccination record
Take your pet to a vet for a health certificate. Bring an up-to-date vaccination record with a current rabies vaccination and a current parasite treatment, a microchip where your destination requires one, and any extra document your destination asks for (such as a rabies blood test). Get the Dominican veterinary college (COLVET) signature and stamp when it is required.
Details and the official words
“Certificado de salud emitido por médico veterinario.”
“Récord o tarjeta de vacunación actualizado.”
“Vacuna antirrábica vigente.”
“Documentación adicional exigida por el país de destino (Serología vacuna de Rabia).”
“Obtener firma/sello del COLVET cuando sea requerido.”
PaperworkThe Dominican Republic and Japan
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
Bring the original certificates. Electronic certificates are accepted from the USA, Brazil and Spain, and from Hawaii and Guam, when they carry the required information and are confirmed as issued by the government authority.
DIGEGA validates the documents; official inspection at the port of exit: Present the documents to DIGEGA (Ciudad Ganadera, Santo Domingo, Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm) to be signed and stamped (RD$ 500), and complete the VUCE single-window process where it applies. DIGEGA answers within 1 to 24 hours. Then go to the port of exit, where an official vet inspects your pet and issues the zoosanitary certificate.
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 authorities of the exporting country (corresponding to Animal Quarantine Service in Japan).”
“Presentar la documentación ante DIGEGA para validación (Firma y sellado).”
“Realizar el proceso correspondiente en VUCE cuando aplique.”
“Dirigirse al puerto de salida para la inspección veterinaria oficial y emisión del certificado zoosanitario correspondiente.”
“Lunes a Viernes de 8:00 am – 4:00 pm”
“1-24 Horas”
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA; conviene validar si existen costos adicionales asociados al trámite/VUCE o al destino.”
NoticeEntering Japan
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.”
Good to know
- Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
- Meeting DIGEGA's requirements doesn't replace your destination's entry requirements: check them before you start, as some countries ask for a microchip, a rabies blood test or other certificates. DIGEGA recommends starting well ahead of your travel date.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in the Dominican Republic publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
DIGEGA validation of the export documentsLeaving Dominican Republic500 DOP
“RD$ 500.00 pesos según el protocolo específico publicado por DIGEGA”
Permisología para la Importación / Exportación de Perros y Gatos (DIGEGA) · as of 2026-10-12
Animal Quarantine Service import inspectionEntering JapanFree
Transport to a detention facility and care there, if needed, are paid by you.
“輸入検疫の費用はいくらかかりますか。 動物検疫所が行う検査の費用はかかりませんが、係留施設への輸送”
日本への犬、猫の持ち込みQ&A · as of 2026-10-13
Government fees in total: 500 DOP (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies antibody test at a designated labPrices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for the Dominican Republic: microchip, vet examination, health certificate (vet’s fee), rabies vaccination.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to the Dominican Republic
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves the Dominican Republic.
The trip back asks for 6 steps: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination, rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure and rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Into Japan from
Every country, by groupWhere this comes from
Official sources
- Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions)
- Import dogs and cats into Japan (from the designated regions)
- Rabies Prevention Act (狂犬病予防法), its Enforcement Order and Regulation: revision IDs
- 日本への犬、猫の持ち込みQ&A
- Permisología para la Importación / Exportación de Perros y Gatos (DIGEGA)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from the Dominican Republic 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 or cat into Japan?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Japan?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for the Dominican Republic to Japan?
With nothing done yet, start at least about 7 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination #1 and rabies vaccination #2 and 5 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.