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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Japan to Taiwan: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination (over 90 days old) and rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival and 3 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 15 official pages

In short

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

4 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival (at least 30 days before importation)

3 weeks

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Import quarantine permit (at least 20 days prior to entering)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (dogs)

  • No rabies blood test
  • Import permit needed
  • No quarantine
  • Tell the authority in advance

How early to start (cats)

4 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival (at least 30 days before importation)

3 weeks

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Import quarantine permit (at least 20 days prior to entering)

The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.

On this route (cats)

  • No rabies blood test
  • Import permit needed
  • No quarantine
  • Tell the authority in advance

Which rules apply to you

Taiwan puts Japan in the group “Country on Taiwan’s rabies-free list”. See every group

Official name: Listed as free from rabies — no blood test, no post-entry quarantine if the pet has stayed only in rabies-free places for 180 days (or since birth)

Prefer a feed reader? Japan rule changes · Taiwan rule changes

Japan → Taiwan

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Japan (leaving) or Taiwan (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Taiwan

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).

      “Implanted with a microchip; and”

      “Implanted with a microchip.”

      “will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”

    2. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.

      Details and the official words

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”

      “The inactivated vaccine.”

    3. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival

      Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”

      “the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”

      “the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”

    4. PermitEntering Taiwan

      Import quarantine permit

      Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves). Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners) and the rabies vaccination certificate. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.

      Details and the official words

      “prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”

      “shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”

      “make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”

      “This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”

      “Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit: https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”

      “請於犬貓輸入至少20日前,至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」(https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/)申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”

      “請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前,先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”

      “外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”

      “Application for such a change can only be requested once.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkJapan and Taiwan

      Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority

      Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, and its rabies vaccination date and vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.

      Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.

      APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).

      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.

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

      If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”

      “That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”

      “That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”

      “APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”

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

    2. NoticeLeaving Japan

      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 you leave. 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

      “Apply for export inspection by NACCS at least 14 days before export.”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Taiwan

      Quarantine inspection on arrival

      When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”

      “The original export veterinary certificate, and”

      “Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”

Good to know

  • You pay all costs of detention, transport, check-ups and quarantine (feeding, care, tests, microchip, vaccination), and of sending the pet back or destroying it if it doesn't meet the rules.
  • Pets enter through Taipei Songshan (TSA), Taoyuan (TPE), Taichung (RMQ) or Kaohsiung (KHH) airports, or Taipei Port; you choose the port on the permit application. Avoid arriving on weekends or public holidays: APHIA can't escort or receive pets then. The Guanyin quarantine station receives animals on working days from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00.
  • Taiwan has banned importing Pit Bull Terriers (American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers) since 1 March 2022. A dog of these breeds already kept on or before 28 February 2022 can be imported only after the animal protection authority has confirmed it.
  • 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.

Cats

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Taiwan

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip number must be on the vaccination certificate and the export certificate, and match the chip in your pet.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: A pet without a microchip, or whose chip number is missing from the export certificate or doesn't match, is sent back, destroyed or put in post-entry quarantine (chipped, vaccinated, blood-tested and held 97 days after a passing blood sample).

      “Implanted with a microchip; and”

      “Implanted with a microchip.”

      “will be returned to sender, euthanized and destroyed, or sent to a post-entry quarantine facility if it falls in any of the following circumstances”

    2. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination (over 90 days old)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine (or one licensed in Taiwan) when it is over 90 days old.

      Details and the official words

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccine against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation, and the dog/cat shall be over 90 days of age at vaccination.”

      “The inactivated vaccine.”

    3. VaccinationEntering Taiwan

      Rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival

      Taiwan needs a rabies vaccination given between 1 year and 30 days before your pet arrives. If your pet's last shot will be more than a year old on arrival, give a booster at least 30 days before arrival. The vet's vaccination certificate (Chinese or English) must show the species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date and the vaccine's name and maker (or say it is inactivated).

      Details and the official words

      Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.

      If this is missed: If the export certificate doesn't show a vaccination that meets these rules, the pet is vaccinated and held in post-entry quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.

      “Vaccinated with one of the following vaccines against rabies within 30 days to one year prior to importation”

      “the animal’s species, sex, age, microchip number, vaccination date, name of the vaccine and manufacturer (or state “the vaccine is inactivated”)”

      “the dog/cat shall complete vaccination with vaccine against rabies pursuant to Article 4.2, and be detained in quarantine for 30 days after the vaccination.”

    4. PermitEntering Taiwan

      Import quarantine permit

      Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves). Send copies of your ID document (passport for foreigners) and the rabies vaccination certificate. You can change the entry date or port once, at least 10 days before the new date.

      Details and the official words

      “prior to import, importers or their agents shall apply for the issuance of import quarantine permits from the import/export animal quarantine authority”

      “shall submit an application for the import quarantine permit to the import/export animal quarantine authority stationed at the port of entry at least 20 days prior to entering or before exiting the importing country for subsequent re-entry”

      “make reservation for a space at post-entry quarantine facility or arrange relevant procedure at least 20 days”

      “This submission shall occur at least 10 days prior to the new entry date.”

      “Online Application System for Dog/Cat Import Permit: https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/”

      “請於犬貓輸入至少20日前,至本署「輸入犬貓檢疫資訊網」(https://pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw/)申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」。”

      “請於申請「輸入檢疫同意文件」前,先至「犬貓輸入檢疫資訊網」之「輸入犬貓隔離籠位管理及查詢」查詢隔離籠位最新預約狀況。”

      “外籍人士請檢附護照 Passport is required for foreigners”

      “Application for such a change can only be requested once.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkJapan and Taiwan

      Export veterinary certificate from the exporting country's quarantine authority

      Your pet must travel with an original veterinary certificate (English or Chinese) issued by the animal quarantine authority of the country it leaves, showing its species, number, sex, age and microchip number, the exporting country and the exporter's name, that it shows no clinical signs of rabies, and its rabies vaccination date and vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      From a rabies-free place, the certificate must also say your pet has been kept there for the 180 days before export, or since birth.

      Taiwan's rule sets no validity period for this certificate. Ask APHIA how recent it must be.

      APHIA publishes specimen certificates the exporting country can use: Form 001 (rabies-free places) and Form 002 (other places).

      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.

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

      If this is missed: Without the original certificate, or if it lacks the required statements, the pet is sent back, destroyed or held in post-entry quarantine.

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarians of the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “shall be accompanied by an original veterinary certificate issued by the animal quarantine authority of the exporting country”

      “That the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies upon inspection;”

      “That the animal has been kept for 180 days prior to export or since birth in the rabies-free country (zone).”

      “That the dog/cat has passed the rabies test, the date of blood sampling, and the name of the test laboratory.”

      “APHIA Form 002: from rabies-infected countries (zones) to Taiwan”

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

    2. NoticeLeaving Japan

      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 you leave. 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

      “Apply for export inspection by NACCS at least 14 days before export.”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Taiwan

      Quarantine inspection on arrival

      When your pet arrives, give APHIA's office at the port a copy of the import permit, the original export certificate and a copy of the air waybill, bill of lading or customs declaration. APHIA issues the import certificate once the documents are in order and your pet shows no signs of notifiable diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Photocopy of the import quarantine permit;”

      “The original export veterinary certificate, and”

      “Photocopy of the bill of lading, airway bill or customs declaration.”

Good to know

  • You pay all costs of detention, transport, check-ups and quarantine (feeding, care, tests, microchip, vaccination), and of sending the pet back or destroying it if it doesn't meet the rules.
  • Pets enter through Taipei Songshan (TSA), Taoyuan (TPE), Taichung (RMQ) or Kaohsiung (KHH) airports, or Taipei Port; you choose the port on the permit application. Avoid arriving on weekends or public holidays: APHIA can't escort or receive pets then. The Guanyin quarantine station receives animals on working days from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00.
  • 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.

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Japan publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

  • Export inspection and AQS export certificateLeaving JapanFree

    Vaccinations and vet checks the destination asks for are your own cost.

    “Inspection by animal quarantine officers is free of charge, but the exporter has responsibility for bearing the cost of vaccinations, health checks at the vet clinic and others, required to fulfil the entry requirements of the destination countries.”

    Dogs & Cats departure Q&A · as of 2026-10-13

May also apply, depending on your case

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

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 Japan

Do before your pet leaves Japan (dogs)

  • ISO microchip
  • Rabies vaccination #1
  • Rabies vaccination #2
  • Rabies antibody test at a designated lab

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 8 steps: ISO microchip, advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service, pre-export clinical inspection and government certificate from the exporting country and more.

Do before your pet leaves Japan (cats)

  • ISO microchip
  • Rabies vaccination #1
  • Rabies vaccination #2
  • Rabies antibody test at a designated lab

Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.

The trip back asks for 8 steps: ISO microchip, advance notification to Animal Quarantine Service, pre-export clinical inspection and government certificate from the exporting country and more.

Every step from Taiwan to Japan

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

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 Japan to Taiwan?

No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Taiwan?

Yes: Apply online (pet-epermit.aphia.gov.tw), or to APHIA's office at your port of entry, for an import quarantine permit at least 20 days before your pet arrives (if your pet is leaving Taiwan to come back, apply before it leaves).

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Taiwan?

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 Japan to Taiwan?

With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination (over 90 days old) and rabies vaccination 30 days to 1 year before arrival and 3 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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