Bringing a Dog or Cat to Japan
From a Non-Rabies-Free Country

If you're coming from most places (including the U.S. mainland or Canada), Japan's process is a timeline: ISO microchip → 2 rabies shots → rabies titer (FAVN/RFFIT) → wait 180 days → submit advance notice → final vet exam + government-endorsed paperwork → inspection on arrival.

Done correctly, import quarantine is typically within 12 hours. Miss a step and your pet can be detained up to 180 days — and the owner pays the costs.

Minimum Timeline

The minimum timeline is driven by: 30+ days between rabies shots + 180-day wait = roughly 7 months start-to-arrival for a typical pet already old enough for vaccination.

Key Maximum Windows That Trip People Up

• Vaccine validity: Arrival must be while rabies vaccination is still valid ("effective period" = immunity duration, not the vial's expiration). If the vaccine will expire before arrival, you need a booster within the effective period (no gaps).
• Titer validity: The titer result is valid for 2 years from the blood draw, and you must arrive within that validity period.
• Plans slip past titer validity? You'll need another titer test; you may not need another 180-day wait if rabies vaccinations stayed continuous and you meet MAFF's conditions for a second titer.

Implant an ISO 11784/11785 microchip — 15 digits, numbers only. This must be done before any rabies vaccines.

Ask your vet to scan the microchip and print the chip number on every rabies record and lab submission — Japan cross-checks chip vs. documents at import inspection.

Your pet must be at least 91 days old at the time of the first rabies vaccination, and the microchip must already be implanted.

Make sure your vet records the vaccine type, product name, manufacturer, and effective period (duration of immunity, not the vial's "use by" date).

The second rabies vaccine must be given at least 30 days after #1 and before #1's effective period ends.

• If you give #2 too early (less than 30 days), it won't count.
• If you give #2 after #1's effective period has expired, you may have to restart from rabies #1.

After rabies vaccine #2, have a blood draw for the rabies antibody titer test. The blood draw can be on the same day as vaccine #2 or later.

• Test method: FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) or RFFIT (Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test)
• Lab: Must be a MAFF-designated laboratory
• Result: Must be ≥0.5 IU/mL

Keep the original lab report — it is required at import inspection in Japan.

Wait at least 180 days from the blood draw date. The blood draw date = Day 0. Your flight must arrive on Day 180 or later.

You must also arrive before the titer's 2-year validity ends and while your rabies vaccine is still valid. If both of these expire, you'll need boosters and possibly a new titer test.

Submit the advance notification form to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at least 40 days before your arrival date. You can submit online via NACCS or by email.

• Use the dog notification form or cat notification form
• Attach a copy of the titer report and any prior export quarantine certificate if your pet previously left Japan
• AQS reviews it and issues "Approval of Import Inspection of Animals" — print or save it for boarding/travel

Within 10 days of boarding your flight: get a clinical exam from your vet, then get a government-issued or endorsed certificate.

• Dogs must be free of clinical signs of rabies and leptospirosis
• Cats must be free of clinical signs of rabies

Form AC (Recommended Template)

AQS recommends using Form AC, which must include:

• Pet identity (DOB/age)
• Microchip number + implant date
• Rabies vaccination dates + effective periods + vaccine type + product + manufacturer
• Titer blood draw date + lab name + titer value
• Pre-export clinical exam date + statement of no rabies signs (and for dogs, no leptospirosis signs)

U.S. Endorsement

In the U.S., USDA APHIS endorses the health certificate. Book your appointment in advance — the process requires your vet to submit the certificate to APHIS for endorsement.

Canada Endorsement

If exporting from Canada, CFIA explains that export certificates must usually be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian before the animal leaves Canada (they can't endorse after departure). Book early.

On arrival in Japan, go to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) before customs.

What to Bring

• AQS "Approval of Import Inspection of Animals"
• Original government-endorsed health certificate (Form AC)
• Original titer test lab report
• Import inspection application form (dogs / cats)
• If traveling as cargo: copy of Air Waybill and any required power of attorney

Procedure by Travel Type

• Checked baggage / hand luggage: Go to the AQS counter in baggage claim before customs
• Cargo: Pick up airline cargo docs, then go to the AQS office

If everything is compliant, clearance is typically under 12 hours (often just a few hours). If requirements aren't met, detention quarantine up to 180 days — or potentially refused entry/returned.

Advance Notification + AQS Approval

• Notification form (dog or cat) submitted 40+ days before arrival via NACCS or email
• Attachments: copy of titer report + any prior export quarantine certificate
• AQS issues "Approval of Import Inspection of Animals" after review

Health Certificate / Government Certification

• Certificate issued/endorsed by your country's government authority
• Recommended template: Form AC
• Must include all pet identity, microchip, vaccination, titer, and exam details

Titer Result Report

• Keep the original lab report from the designated lab — required at import inspection

At-Arrival Application

• You (or your authorized agent) apply for Import Inspection on arrival (paper forms or via NACCS)

If Traveling as Cargo

• Copy of Air Waybill (or Bill of Lading)
• Power of attorney if an agent is handling procedures

Microchip Problems

• Microchip implanted after rabies vaccines — Japan may not count your rabies records
• Non-ISO chip or unreadable chip at inspection — can trigger detention or return
• "900..." microchip ranges — some may not be accepted; confirm early with AQS

Rabies Vaccination Timing Errors

• Pet vaccinated under 91 days old — invalid for Japan's timeline
• Shots not spaced correctly: #2 must be 30+ days after #1 and within #1's effective period
• Booster given after previous vaccine expired — may have to restart from rabies #1
• Wrong vaccine type (e.g., live or certain RNA products) — not accepted

Titer Test / Lab Mistakes

• Using a non-designated lab or non-approved method (micro-RFFIT isn't approved)
• Titer below 0.5 IU/mL — must re-test, and re-tests can disrupt timing

180-Day Wait & 2-Year Validity Errors

• Flying before Day 180 — detention quarantine for the remaining days
• Flying after titer's 2-year validity ends or after vaccine expires without continuity

Advance Notification Errors

• Submitting less than 40 days before arrival — generally not accepted
• Trying to move arrival earlier after submission — may be rejected

Certificate Mistakes

• Missing official endorsement/stamp
• Missing microchip number
• Missing vaccine product/manufacturer
• Using correction fluid or erasable ink — major detention triggers

Make This Smooth

• Ask your vet to scan the microchip and print the chip number on every record and lab submission — Japan cross-checks chip vs. documents at inspection
• When your vet writes "vaccine effective period," it must mean duration of immunity, not the manufacturer's "use by" date
• Email AQS a draft of your completed Form AC before government endorsement — they recommend this so errors are caught early

Approved Titer Labs

Use the MAFF designated laboratories list (updated regularly). The list is explicitly dated and includes notes about revoked labs and eligibility.

Airline Transport Notes

• Japan puts crate responsibility on the importer — confirm cage type/size with your airline, as airlines may restrict transport
• On arrival, procedure differs by travel type (baggage claim vs cargo office)
• Dogs must enter via listed ports; cats are less restricted but confirm with AQS for non-standard ports

Cost Estimates

Canada Notes

If exporting from Canada, CFIA export certificates must usually be issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by an official CFIA veterinarian before the animal leaves Canada — they cannot endorse after departure. Book your CFIA appointment early.

Print this out and check off each item as you go. Every step must be completed in order.

How long does quarantine actually take if I do everything right?

Typically within 12 hours — often just a few hours. AQS checks your documents and the pet's health on arrival. If all requirements are met, your pet is released the same day.

What happens if requirements aren't met?

Your pet can be detained at an AQS facility for up to 180 days, or potentially refused entry/returned. The importer pays all detention costs (care, feeding, and related expenses).

Where do I get help if I'm stuck?

Contact the AQS office at your intended port of entry using the official AQS contact list. In the U.S., coordinate health certificate endorsement through USDA APHIS. In Canada, coordinate export endorsement through CFIA.

Can I bring other animals besides dogs and cats?

This guide covers dogs and cats only. Other animals (birds, rabbits, reptiles, etc.) have separate and often stricter import requirements. Check MAFF/AQS for species-specific rules.

Does this apply if I'm coming from Hawaii or Guam?

No — Hawaii and Guam are designated rabies-free regions with a simpler import process. Check the designated regions list.

What if my titer expires before I can travel?

If your rabies vaccinations stayed continuous (no gaps) and you meet MAFF's conditions, you may be able to do another titer test without repeating the full 180-day wait. Confirm with AQS.

MAFF / AQS (Japan)

Notification & Application Forms

U.S. (USDA APHIS)

Canada (CFIA)

Other