Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Israel to Japan: official requirements
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 4 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 7 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Japan puts Israel 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 Israel publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Israel's Veterinary Services publish the export procedure on a gov.il service page (last updated June 2025), read from a stored copy because gov.il blocks automated readers. It says that the international health certificate must be signed by the Veterinary Services before your pet leaves and that your private vet applies online through the 'Ye'ela' system. The page's details by destination (the US; Canada, the EU and some other countries; all other countries) load only by script, and no stored copy of them exists, so we don't know how long before departure to apply, where the certificate is signed, or the fee. Ask your vet or the Veterinary Services' import-export unit (03-9688986) before you plan the dates.
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 Israel in the group “Non-designated region”. See every group
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Israel → Japan
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Israel (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.”
PaperworkIsrael 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.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
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.
Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.
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).”
“שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”
“הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”
“יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”
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.
- Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
- If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
- Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).
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.”
PaperworkIsrael 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.
The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.
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.
Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.
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).”
“שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”
“הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”
“יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”
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.
- Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
- If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
- Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Israel publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
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
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 Israel: 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 Israel
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (dogs).
The trip back asks for 10 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (cats).
The trip back asks for 10 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where 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
- הנפקת תעודת בריאות לחיות מחמד היוצאות לחו״ל (Issuing a health certificate for pets going abroad), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 26 Jun 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 12 Jul 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-30)
- תהליך יבוא כלבים וחתולים לישראל (Process for importing dogs and cats into Israel), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 19 Feb 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 15 Mar 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-13)
- בדיקה לנוגדני כלבת ובדיקות אחרות עבור בעלי חיים היוצאים מישראל (Rabies antibody test for animals leaving Israel), Veterinary Services service page on gov.il, last updated 11 May 2025; read from Common Crawl's copy captured 20 May 2025 (CC-MAIN-2025-21)
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 Israel 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 Israel 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 4 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
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Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.