Pet Shipping - Pet Import Requirements in Japan

Pet Import Requirements in Japan

Upon entry Japan, dogs and cats must undergo import quarantine for a set period to reveal rabies (and rabies and leptospirosis in case of dogs), depending on conditions. In order to check whether they have contracted the diseases in isolation from other animals and humans, the animals are held in the quarantine facilities of the Animal Quarantine Service - AQS. Quarantine can't be allowed at any place other than the AQS territory.

When importing dogs or cats, you must notify in advance the Animal Quarantine Service that has jurisdiction over your intended port (airport) of arrival (min 40 days prior to arrival in Japan) and report the planned date of arrival, number of animals. Sometimes an importer may be requested to change the date or place of transportation depending on the availability situation of quarantine facilities.

If you have a certificate for the animal issued by government agency of the country of origin containing necessary information such as the microchip number for individual identification, dates of rabies vaccinations, the level of rabies antibodies and confirmation that the animal underwent 180 days wait in the country of origin, the quarantine period will take approximately 12 hours. In all other cases the quarantine period can last up to 180 days.

Service (AQS) officials advise that the whole procedure can take up to 6 months.

When importing pets as cargo the procedure includes:
1. Submit such documents to AQS upon arrival: International Health certificate; two rabies vaccination certificates; advanced notification acknowledgement sent from AQS; an Import Quarantine Application Form provided by AQS.

2. The proprietor of the pet is not required to be present in order to apply for quarantine inspection. A representative can make the application.

3. The Narita quarantine service charges a detention fee of about JPY 3,000 or more (depending on size per day for all pets that includes boarding, food and care for the pet).

4. Other costs may be incurred for shipping fees, kennel customs clearances, import tax and a proxy charge depending on the pet etc.