Japan Pet Import Guide

Shipping a Pet to Japan from the United States

Japan enforces strict pet import regulations administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to protect its rabies-free status. Dogs and cats traveling from the United States must complete a detailed preparation process -- including microchipping, two rabies vaccinations, FAVN antibody titer testing, and a mandatory 180-day waiting period -- before they are eligible to enter the country.

The Pet Porters manage the complete Japan relocation process -- from microchip verification and FAVN titer test coordination through MAFF advance notification, USDA health certificate endorsement, and arrival inspection at Narita or Haneda. With preparation timelines typically extending 6-8 months, professional guidance is essential to avoid the consequences of missed steps.

Pets that meet all MAFF requirements qualify for zero-quarantine arrival in Japan. Pets with incomplete or out-of-sequence documentation may be held in government quarantine for up to 180 days at the owner's expense.

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Japan Pet Import At a Glance
  • ISO microchip (before vaccination)
  • Pet must be 91+ days old for first rabies vaccination
  • Two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart
  • FAVN titer test -- 0.5 IU/ml minimum result
  • 180-day wait after FAVN blood draw
  • MAFF advance notification (40 days before arrival)
  • USDA-endorsed health certificate (within 10 days)
  • Parasite treatments within 4 days of departure
6-8
Months prep
180
Day wait
0
Days quarantine*

*Zero quarantine only if all MAFF requirements are fully met

Designated Regions Status: The United States is classified by Japan as a "designated region" -- a country where rabies is considered controlled and rare. Pets from designated regions are eligible for zero-quarantine arrival provided all MAFF requirements are completed in the correct sequence with no documentation errors. Any missed step or sequencing mistake results in mandatory quarantine of up to 180 days at the owner's expense -- with no exceptions.

Planning Timeline

Japan Pet Transport Timeline

The 180-day FAVN waiting period is the dominant factor in the Japan timeline. Every other step must be completed in sequence before that clock can start.

Critical Milestones -- In Order
Day 1 ISO microchip implanted (must precede all vaccinations)
Day 1+ (pet must be 91+ days old) First rabies vaccination -- can be same day as microchip
Day 31+ Second rabies vaccination (at least 30 days after first, before first expires)
Day 31+ (after second vaccination) FAVN blood sample drawn and sent to approved laboratory
Day 211+ (180 days after FAVN draw) Earliest possible travel date to Japan
At least 40 days before arrival Submit advance notification to MAFF Animal Quarantine Service
Within 10 days of departure USDA-accredited vet issues health certificate + USDA endorsement
Within 4 days of departure Final parasite treatments administered and documented
Arrival -- Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Animal Quarantine Service inspection. Zero quarantine if all requirements are met. Same-day release to owner.
No exceptions policy: Japan's Animal Quarantine Service does not grant waivers for documentation errors, steps completed out of sequence, or lapsed vaccination records. Start early and work with a specialist.

Step-by-Step Requirements

Japan Pet Import Requirements -- In the Correct Sequence

Each step must be completed in order. Steps completed out of sequence are not accepted by MAFF and will result in mandatory quarantine on arrival.

1
ISO Microchip -- Must Come First

All dogs and cats must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip before any rabies vaccinations are administered. Japan's Animal Quarantine Service uses the microchip number to link your pet's identity to all import documentation. If this number does not match across every document, entry will be denied.

If your pet already has a non-ISO microchip (common with older US-implanted chips), a second ISO-compliant chip must be implanted. The rabies vaccination sequence must then restart from the date of the new chip -- prior vaccinations will not be recognized by MAFF.

Do This First Must be completed before the first rabies vaccination. The first vaccination may be given on the same day as the microchip implant if the chip is implanted first.
2
First Rabies Vaccination Pet Must Be 91+ Days Old

The first rabies vaccination must be administered after (or on the same day as) the ISO microchip implantation. Japan requires your pet to be a minimum of 91 days old (13 weeks) at the time of the first vaccination.

  • Pet must be at least 91 days old at time of vaccination
  • Must be given on or after the microchip implantation date
  • Must be documented with vaccine name, manufacturer, batch number, and expiration date
  • First vaccination is typically valid for 1 year (confirm with vaccine label)
  • A second vaccination is required before the first expires
Age Requirement Vaccination given before 91 days of age does not count. Your pet must be revaccinated after reaching 91 days, resetting the preparation timeline.
3
Second Rabies Vaccination Required Before FAVN Test

A second rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days after the first vaccination and before the first vaccination's expiry date. Japan requires two documented rabies vaccinations before the FAVN blood test is conducted.

  • Must be given at least 30 days after the first vaccination
  • Must be given before the first vaccination expires
  • Must be documented with vaccine name, batch number, and expiration date
  • The FAVN blood test must be drawn after this second vaccination is on record
Timing Window Between 30 days after first vaccination and before the first vaccination expires. Plan this appointment carefully -- missing the expiry window resets the entire sequence.
4
FAVN Rabies Antibody Titer Test Starts 180-Day Wait

The FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test measures your pet's rabies antibody levels. This is the most critical milestone in the Japan preparation timeline -- the 180-day wait begins on the date the blood is drawn, and no step can accelerate it.

  • Must be drawn after the second rabies vaccination is documented
  • Must be tested at a MAFF-approved laboratory -- Kansas State University VDL is the primary US facility
  • Result must show at least 0.5 IU/ml rabies antibody titer
  • A mandatory 180-day waiting period begins from the date the blood sample is drawn
  • FAVN results are valid for 2 years from the blood draw date
  • If a booster vaccination is given within the 2-year validity window, the FAVN does not need to be repeated

If the result is below 0.5 IU/ml, your pet must be revaccinated and retested -- resetting the 180-day waiting period from the new blood draw date.

180-Day Wait
Your pet cannot enter Japan until 180 days have passed from the FAVN blood draw date -- not from when results are received.
This waiting period cannot be shortened or waived under any circumstances.
5
MAFF Advance Notification

At least 40 days before your pet's arrival in Japan, an advance notification must be submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at the destination airport -- typically Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). This is not a simple form submission -- MAFF reviews all documentation and may request corrections before approving arrival.

  • Submit to the AQS office at your specific arrival airport
  • Must include microchip number, vaccination records, and FAVN test results
  • MAFF reviews the submission and issues advance approval for zero-quarantine landing
  • We recommend submitting 60-90 days before arrival to allow time for corrections
  • The Pet Porters coordinate submission and track MAFF approval on your behalf
Submit Early Minimum 40 days before arrival -- but 60-90 days is strongly recommended. MAFF may request additional documentation, and corrections take time.
6
Parasite Treatments

Within 4 days prior to departure, a licensed veterinarian must administer treatments for internal and external parasites. All treatments must be documented and included on the USDA health certificate.

  • External parasites: Treatment effective against mites and fleas
  • Internal parasites: Treatment effective against nematodes (roundworms) and tapeworms
  • Must be administered by a licensed veterinarian
  • Product name, active ingredient, batch number, and treatment date must be recorded on the health certificate
Critical Window Must be administered within 4 days of departure. Coordinate this at your final pre-travel veterinary visit, together with the health certificate.
7
USDA-Endorsed Veterinary Health Certificate

Within 10 days of departure, a USDA-accredited veterinarian must examine your pet and complete an official health certificate confirming your pet meets all Japan import requirements.

The certificate must confirm:

  • ISO microchip number matching all prior documentation
  • Both rabies vaccination dates, product names, and batch numbers
  • FAVN test result and blood draw date
  • Parasite treatment details within the 4-day window
  • Pet is healthy and free of signs of contagious disease

The signed certificate must then be submitted to a USDA Veterinary Services office for federal endorsement. The endorsed original must travel with your pet to Japan.

USDA Endorsement Processing typically takes 1-3 business days. Submit immediately after the vet signs -- the 10-day validity window runs from the vet exam date.
+
Recommended Additional Vaccinations Advised but Not Mandatory

Japan recommends the following additional vaccinations administered at least 30 days before arrival. While not required for import clearance, they protect your pet's health and may be reviewed during the AQS inspection.

Dogs
  • Distemper
  • Contagious Hepatitis (Adenovirus type II)
  • Parvovirus
  • Parainfluenza
  • Leptospirosis
  • Coronavirus
Cats
  • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
  • Feline Calicivirus
  • Feline Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
9
Airline Cargo Booking & Arrival Inspection

Pets traveling from the United States to Japan travel as manifest airline cargo. In-cabin pet travel is not permitted on transpacific routes to Japan regardless of pet size.

  • Primary carriers include United Airlines, ANA Cargo, and JAL Cargo
  • Most pets arrive at Narita International Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND)
  • Animal Quarantine Service staff review documentation and conduct a physical health inspection on arrival
  • Pets meeting all MAFF requirements are released to their owner on the day of arrival
  • The Pet Porters coordinate cargo booking, IATA-compliant kennel sizing, and AQS arrival logistics
Zero Quarantine Arrival Fully compliant pets are released on arrival day. All documentation errors -- however minor -- trigger quarantine of up to 180 days.

Common Questions

Japan Pet Transport FAQ

No -- the 180-day waiting period after the FAVN blood draw is a legal requirement under Japanese biosecurity law and cannot be shortened, expedited, or waived under any circumstances. It does not matter how healthy your pet is, how quickly the lab returns results, or how complete your documentation is. Your pet cannot board a flight to Japan until 180 days have passed from the date the blood sample was drawn. This waiting period is the primary reason the Japan preparation timeline is 6-8 months minimum.
If the FAVN result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the test is considered a failure. Your pet must receive a rabies booster vaccination and have a new blood sample drawn for retesting. The 180-day waiting period resets from the date the new blood sample is drawn -- not from the original test date. A failed FAVN result typically adds 2-3 months to your overall timeline. Working with an experienced veterinarian and ensuring vaccinations are current and properly documented before blood draw significantly reduces this risk.
FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) and RNAT (Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer) are two names for the same type of blood test measuring rabies antibody levels. Japan uses the term FAVN while Australia uses RNAT. Both require a minimum result of 0.5 IU/ml and are performed at approved laboratories -- Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is the primary approved US facility for both destinations. The test methodology, passing threshold, and 180-day waiting period are identical.
Yes -- the mandatory requirements for microchipping, two rabies vaccinations, FAVN testing, the 180-day waiting period, MAFF advance notification, parasite treatments, and the USDA-endorsed health certificate apply equally to dogs and cats. The only difference is in the recommended additional vaccinations -- dogs should receive DHPP, Leptospirosis, and Coronavirus, while cats should receive FVRCP. The timeline and sequencing rules are identical for both species.
No -- pets traveling from the United States to Japan must travel as manifest airline cargo in the climate-controlled hold. In-cabin pet travel is not permitted on transpacific routes regardless of pet size. All pets must pass through the Animal Quarantine Service inspection in the cargo terminal at Narita or Haneda before they can be released to their owner.
FAVN results are valid for 2 years from the blood draw date, provided your pet's rabies vaccinations remain current throughout that period. If your pet's rabies booster was given within the manufacturer's licensed interval before the 2-year FAVN expiry, the existing FAVN result can continue to be used without retesting -- and the 180-day wait does not restart. If vaccinations lapsed or the 2-year window has passed, a new FAVN test and new 180-day wait will be required. Contact us with your pet's vaccination and test history and we will confirm eligibility.
Other International Destinations
Australia

Similar complexity -- 7-9 month lead time, RNAT titer test, 180-day wait, and 10-day mandatory quarantine.
United Kingdom

Significantly simpler -- 2-3 month timeline, no titer test required, no quarantine if compliant.
All Destinations

View pet import requirements for all countries and regions we serve worldwide.
Regulatory Notice: Japanese pet import regulations are subject to change without notice. MAFF and the Animal Quarantine Service may update requirements, approved laboratories, or documentation formats at any time. Always verify current requirements directly with Japan's Animal Quarantine Service, the USDA, and your airline before beginning the relocation process. This page reflects general requirements as of publication and may not include the most recent regulatory updates. The Pet Porters verifies all current requirements before every booking.

Ready to Move Your Pet to Japan?

Tell us your pet's details, current vaccination history, and target travel date. We will confirm whether your FAVN test is still valid, build a custom preparation timeline, coordinate every MAFF requirement, and manage the process from your home in the United States to zero-quarantine arrival in Japan.