Bringing a dog or cat into Japan

The short version

• Rabies blood test for some origins
• Advance notice to authority

How early to start

The least time the officially fixed waiting periods allow, by where your dog is coming from. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times come on top.

Where your pet is coming from matters

Japan sorts countries into groups. These are the groups exactly as the authority publishes them (Japan: designated (rabies-free) regions, checked 2026-10-08).

• Hawaii (US-HI) and Guam are designated; the rest of the USA is not.

Every requirement

For every pet

1. 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.”

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

4. 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.”

Depends on your pet or your route

1. Vaccination

   Rabies vaccination #1

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Non-designated region

   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”

2. Vaccination

   Rabies vaccination #2

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Non-designated region

   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)”

3. Blood test

   Rabies antibody test at a designated lab

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Non-designated region

   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.”

4. Waiting period

   180-day waiting period

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Non-designated region

   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.”

5. Residence rule

   Residence in the designated region

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Designated region (rabies-free)

   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.”

6. Transport

   Sealed cage or transport certificate for your layover

   Applies when: the country you travel from is in the group: Designated region (rabies-free) and your route passes through another country

   Because your route goes through a non-designated region, either have a government vet seal the transport cage (seal number on the certificate) or get an additional transport certificate (ANNEX) confirming no contact with other animals.

   Details and the official words

   If this is missed: Detention quarantine for 180 days.

   “If transported through Non-designated regions (transit), a ‘seal for the transport cage’ or an ‘additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX)’ is necessary.”

Good to know

• Dogs can only enter Japan through designated airports and seaports (e.g. Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Naha).When: Your pet is a dog
• Japan does not accept live-virus or RNA rabies vaccines — check the vaccine type with your vet.When: The country you travel from is in the group: Non-designated region