Japan HIDDEN

International Pet Shipping to Japan

Pet Shipping to Japan: Requirements and Guidelines

Shipping your pet to Japan involves detailed preparation to ensure a smooth and successful relocation. Japan has strict entry requirements for dogs and cats, including microchipping, rabies vaccinations, health evaluations, and parasite treatments. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your pet’s safe entry into Japan.

Microchip

Before shipping pets to Japan, dogs and cats must be individually identified with an ISO microchip. If your pet has a different microchip implanted, please discuss it with your Pet Travel Specialist to confirm eligibility. A microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccinations.

Rabies Vaccination

Japan requires for dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies at least

TWICE or more AFTER the microchip implanting. Pet must be at least 91 days old at time of first rabies vaccination. The first rabies can be given same day AFTER microchip. A second rabies vaccination, more than 30 days after the first vaccination and before first vaccination expires, is required.

FAVN Evaluation

Dogs and cats must be evaluated for serum rabies antibody levels. Two

USA laboratories are approved to report results accepted by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan: Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory and DOD Veterinary Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory. Results of the rabies titer test must be greater than or equal to 0.5iu/ml. Wait periods exist between date rabies vaccination is given before a FAV sample can be taken, and also 180 days between FAVN sample and date the pet enters Japan. Results are valid for two years from date of sample.

Import Permit

Before shipping pets to Japan, the import permit must be completed by the IPATA agent in the destination country.

Health Certificate

Before shipping pets to Japan, Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within ten days of the dog or cat's departure.

Recommended Treatments

Immunization: Japan recommends that the following immunizations be given to dogs and cats that are 91 days old or older 30 days before they arrive in Japan (within the vaccine immunization effectiveness period)


Dogs: distemper, contagious hepatitis (Adenovirus type II acceptable), parvovirus infectious disease trivalent vaccine (parainfluenza, leptospirosis, coronavirus)


Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia trivalent vaccine

Parasite Treatment

Japan recommends the following parasite treatments before departure (no more than 4 days before boarding):


External parasites: Treat with medicines effective against mites and fleas, and at the time of export have a clinical inspection to confirm that the animal is free from these parasites.


Internal parasites: administer medicine effective against nematodes

and tapeworms

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