Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from New Zealand → 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
6 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
6 weeks
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
New Zealand is in the group “Designated region (rabies-free)” 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
We haven’t verified the leaving side for New Zealand yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
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
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.”
Residence rule
Residence in the designated region
Your pet must have lived in the designated region since birth, or for at least 180 days immediately before export, or since being imported directly from Japan.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Detention quarantine to make up the missing days.
“The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan.”
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for NZ yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
- Dogs can only enter Japan through designated airports and seaports (e.g. Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Naha).
What your cat needs
Cats
We haven’t verified the leaving side for New Zealand yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
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
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.”
Residence rule
Residence in the designated region
Your pet must have lived in the designated region since birth, or for at least 180 days immediately before export, or since being imported directly from Japan.
Details and the official words
If this is missed: Detention quarantine to make up the missing days.
“The dog or cat has been continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan.”
Good to know
- We have not verified the export process for NZ yet. Your country's official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from New Zealand to Japan?
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 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).