Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Slovakia → 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.
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Slovakia publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. ŠVPS gives no fixed deadline or fee for the certificate: the destination's own requirements decide, and the official vet at your regional veterinary and food administration confirms the document.
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
Slovakia 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
Official vet at your regional veterinary and food administration confirms the destination's document: If the destination requires its veterinary document to be confirmed by an official vet of the country of origin, contact the regional veterinary and food administration (RVPS) responsible for where the animal is kept. Once the document's conditions are met, bring it correctly filled in to the official vet, with the veterinary records that support it (most often the EU pet passport with the owner, identification, vaccination and other treatments, clinical examination and laboratory results). If the destination wants confirmation by the chief veterinarian, contact the central authority of the State Veterinary and Food Administration.
The official vet may ask for an official Slovak translation of any related document in a foreign language.
ŠVPS's page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be: the destination's own requirements decide.
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.”
“V prípade, že tretia krajina vyžaduje potvrdenie stanoveného veterinárneho dokumentu úradným veterinárnym lekárom krajiny pôvodu, je potrebné komunikovať požiadavku s miestne príslušnou Regionálnou veterinárnou a potravinovou správou v mieste chovu zvieraťa.”
“V prípade, že tretia krajina vyžaduje potvrdenie stanoveného veterinárneho dokumentu hlavným veterinárnym lekárom krajiny pôvodu, je potrebné komunikovať požiadavku s centrálnou autoritou Štátnej veterinárnej a potravinovej správy Slovenskej republiky.”
“po splnení jeho podmienok potrebné úradnému veterinárnemu lekárovi predložiť správne vyplnený stanovený dokument spolu s veterinárnymi záznamami potvrdzujúcimi údaje uvedené v dokumente”
“Ak sú akékoľvek súvisiace dokumenty v cudzom jazyku, úradný veterinárny lekár je oprávnený požadovať doloženie úradného prekladu do slovenského jazyka.”
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.”
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.
- Get the destination's entry conditions only from trustworthy sources: its competent authority (by e-mail, phone or official website) or its embassy in the EU. If you pass through several non-EU countries, check each one's conditions, because they can differ.
- If you plan to come back, learn the conditions for bringing your pet back into the EU from non-EU countries before you leave.
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.
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
Official vet at your regional veterinary and food administration confirms the destination's document: If the destination requires its veterinary document to be confirmed by an official vet of the country of origin, contact the regional veterinary and food administration (RVPS) responsible for where the animal is kept. Once the document's conditions are met, bring it correctly filled in to the official vet, with the veterinary records that support it (most often the EU pet passport with the owner, identification, vaccination and other treatments, clinical examination and laboratory results). If the destination wants confirmation by the chief veterinarian, contact the central authority of the State Veterinary and Food Administration.
The official vet may ask for an official Slovak translation of any related document in a foreign language.
ŠVPS's page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be: the destination's own requirements decide.
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.”
“V prípade, že tretia krajina vyžaduje potvrdenie stanoveného veterinárneho dokumentu úradným veterinárnym lekárom krajiny pôvodu, je potrebné komunikovať požiadavku s miestne príslušnou Regionálnou veterinárnou a potravinovou správou v mieste chovu zvieraťa.”
“V prípade, že tretia krajina vyžaduje potvrdenie stanoveného veterinárneho dokumentu hlavným veterinárnym lekárom krajiny pôvodu, je potrebné komunikovať požiadavku s centrálnou autoritou Štátnej veterinárnej a potravinovej správy Slovenskej republiky.”
“po splnení jeho podmienok potrebné úradnému veterinárnemu lekárovi predložiť správne vyplnený stanovený dokument spolu s veterinárnymi záznamami potvrdzujúcimi údaje uvedené v dokumente”
“Ak sú akékoľvek súvisiace dokumenty v cudzom jazyku, úradný veterinárny lekár je oprávnený požadovať doloženie úradného prekladu do slovenského jazyka.”
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.”
Good to know
- Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.
- Get the destination's entry conditions only from trustworthy sources: its competent authority (by e-mail, phone or official website) or its embassy in the EU. If you pass through several non-EU countries, check each one's conditions, because they can differ.
- If you plan to come back, learn the conditions for bringing your pet back into the EU from non-EU countries before you leave.
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Slovakia 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).