Pet relocation · Japan
Relocating with pets to Japan — AQS rules and the 180-day clock
Pet import to Japan is rules-strict with a long preparation timeline. Microchip, two rabies vaccinations, titre test, 180-day post-titre wait, and AQS notification.
Pet import rules change frequently and vary by species, origin country, breed, and date of travel. This guide is a structural overview, not a definitive checklist. Verify every detail with the official authority listed below and your veterinarian before acting.
Pet relocation rules change frequently and vary by pet species, your origin country, and the time of year you travel. The structural overview below is meant as a planning framework — not a substitute for the official requirements published by the destination country's authority, which is the only authoritative source.
Most pet relocations fail at one of three points: incorrect documentation timing (the rabies vaccination must be sufficiently old, but not too old, on the day of travel), incomplete paperwork chain (origin country vet certificate + endorsement by the origin country's competent authority + acceptance by destination), or an unexpected breed or carrier restriction (some airlines refuse certain breeds and weights). Start the process much earlier than feels necessary.
Authority to verify with
These are the official bodies that publish the current rules and supervise entry. Always cross-check the information below against their guidance.
- AQS — Animal Quarantine Service (Japan)Japan's animal quarantine authority — handles import notifications and post-arrival inspection.Reference: https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english
What you'll need to research
Microchip first
ISO-compliant microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination is counted. Vaccinations administered before microchip insertion don't qualify.
Two rabies vaccinations
Two consecutive rabies vaccinations are typically required, with a specific interval between them. The second vaccination's validity period anchors the timeline.
Rabies titre and 180-day waiting period
RNATT (rabies titre) test from an approved lab. After a passing titre, a 180-day waiting period applies before the pet can enter Japan.
Advance notification (40 days)
Owner must notify AQS at least 40 days before arrival via the import notification form.
Post-arrival inspection
All paperwork is verified at AQS at the port of entry. Errors trigger extended inspection or quarantine.
Common pitfalls and underestimated steps
- Underestimating the 180-day post-titre wait — this is the most common cause of failed Japan imports.
- Microchip and vaccination ordering — vaccinations before chip are not counted.
- Missing the 40-day advance notification — late notification triggers quarantine.
- Using a non-AQS-approved lab for the titre test.
Generic checklist
The structural sequence — adapt to the specific timing and document names required by the destination country's authority.
- Confirm your pet's species is admitted at all (some destinations exclude certain reptiles, exotic animals, or specific dog breeds).
- Verify the rabies vaccination + microchip ordering requirement: most destinations require the microchip to be implanted before the rabies vaccination, not after.
- Time the rabies vaccination correctly — typically a minimum of 21-30 days before travel and within a maximum vaccination-validity window.
- Schedule the origin-country veterinary health certificate within the destination's required window before travel (often 10 days or less).
- Get the certificate endorsed by the origin country's competent authority (in the US, USDA APHIS; in the EU, the national veterinary service).
- Confirm the airline accepts your pet (cabin, hold, or cargo manifest), and check breed and weight restrictions.
- Book the destination country's required quarantine, if any, well in advance.
- Bring multiple copies of every document, including translations where required.
Japan's process is rules-strict but predictable — every step is documented and the AQS provides English-language guidance. The main constraint is the lead time. Many movers begin the process 7-8 months before planned arrival to leave buffer for unexpected paperwork issues.
Other destinations
See the full pet relocation directory for all 11 country guides.