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This article provides step-by-step information on everything you need to know to take your pet overseas from Japan, including preparation time, procedure flow, country-specific requirements, and costs.
📌 Key points of this article
- The procedure is initiated by7 months prior to departureis a rough guide (earlier is needed in some countries)
- Regulations and quarantine systems vary widely from country to country
- From August 2024: CDC online form must be submitted for the U.S.
- From April 2026: Documentation requirements for the EU are scheduled to be revised.
Check first: Approximate preparation time
How far in advance should I prepare?" is the most frequently asked question. In conclusion,Start at least 6-7 months before departureis required. Australia and New Zealand can take more than 8 months in some cases.
There are three main reasons why it takes time. (i)rabies vaccine(1) the waiting period until antibody titers stabilize after vaccination, (2) the number of days required to obtain blood test results and certificates, and (3) the additional waiting period set by the destination country (e.g., 3 months after the antibody test is conducted for the EU). Therefore, even if you start preparing immediately before your departure, you will not be able to arrive in time.
| destination | Approximate minimum preparation time | special note |
|---|---|---|
| EU countries | Approx. 7 months | 3-month waiting period required after antibody test |
| United States of America | Approx. 3-4 months | CDC online form submission required (August 2024-) |
| United Kingdom | Approx. 7 months | Requirements nearly equivalent to EU |
| Australia | Approx. 8 months or more | Quarantine at facility (minimum 10 days) available |
| New Zealand | Approx. 8 months or more | Quarantine at facility (minimum 10 days) available |
| Singapore | Approx. 4-6 months | Import permit (AVS) required |
| Asian Neighboring Countries | Approx. 3-6 months | Varies widely from country to country |
The above is only a guide. It will vary depending on breed, age, health, departure airport and airline. For details, please contactfree consultationPlease check with the
Preparation timeline: work backwards from 7 months in advance
7 months to 6 months before] Information gathering and start of medical treatment
The first thing to do is,Confirmation of destination regulations and consultation with a veterinarianIt is. Main items to check at this time of year:
- Latest import requirements of the destination country (always check with official agencies)
- Type and schedule of vaccines required
- microchipAvailability of (If not installed, prompt action will be taken)
- Assess your pet's current health status
The main medical procedures performed during this period areAttachment of microchipandrabies vaccinationThe first step is to have the vaccine administered as soon as possible. Since it is necessary to wait at least 30 days after vaccination before antibody titer testing can be performed, this should be done as soon as possible.
5 months to 4 months prior to the start of antibody titer testing and document preparation
If more than 30 days have passed since vaccination,Rabies antibody titer testwill be conducted. If the test value is0.5 IU/ml or moreand obtain a certificate. Date management is important because the blood collection date on this certificate is the starting point for the subsequent schedule.
- Conduct antibody titer testing (at designated testing facilities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)
- Obtain certificate of results (in some cases it takes 2-3 weeks to be revealed)
- Advance consultation for export quarantine certificate (to the animal quarantine station at the departure airport)
- Start applying for an import permit for the destination country, if required.
The certificate of antibody titer test is valid for2 years from the date of blood collectionHowever, for the EU and the UK, entry is only possible after 3 months from the date of blood collection, so if blood is collected at this time, entry into the EU will not be possible until 3 months after the blood collection.
3 months to 2 months in advance] Airline reservations and cage preparation
This is the time to select an airline and finalize reservations. Space for transporting pets is limited, especially during the summer months (around May-October).Early reservations are essential.It is. Also,short-haired(French Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekinese, etc.) are subject to transportation restrictions by airline, so be sure to check in advance.
- Cages that meet IATA standardsSelection and purchase of
- Begin cage familiarization training (over a minimum of 1-2 months)
- Submit export quarantine application form to the animal quarantine station (deadline is 7 days prior to departure)
- Listing of local veterinary hospitals
1 month prior to departure】Final confirmation and completion of documents
The complete set of documents will be completed within one month prior to departure. In particularHealth certificates are valid for a short period of time, such as 10 days or less, depending on the destination.Therefore, please coordinate your schedule with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- 48 hours before departure: Final medical examination and start of dietary restrictions
- Check expiration dates of documents (are they all up-to-date?)
- Make copies and store digitally (cloud recommended)
- At the airportAnimal quarantine counter location and procedure flowConfirmation of
Overall picture of required procedures and documents
(1) Microchip installation
In almost every country,Microchip compliant with ISO 11784/11785 standards(15 digits) are required to be fitted. The fitting is done by a veterinarian, who then completes the registration process. Important.Microchipping is the only way to get the vaccine."(In some countries, the reverse order will invalidate the documents.
Rabies vaccination
For pets 91 days old and older,Inactivated or recombinant vaccines(live vaccines are not allowed in many countries). After the initial vaccination, an interval of at least 30 days is required before revaccination or subsequentAntibody titer testProceed to
Rabies antibody titer test (for destinations that require it)
It is required in many countries, including the EU, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Blood is collected at a laboratory designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,Serum antibody titer greater than 0.5 IU/mlThe certificate is valid for two years from the date of blood collection. The certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of blood collection, but for the EU and the UK, it is only valid for entry 3 months after the blood collection.
(4) Obtain export quarantine certificate (animal quarantine station)
When exporting pets from Japan,Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesAn export quarantine certificate by the Submit the application for export inspection to the animal quarantine station with jurisdiction over the departure airport at least 7 days prior to departure. Since the certificate will not be issued if the documents are incomplete, it is strongly recommended to confirm the draft in advance by e-mail.
Details:Animal Quarantine Textbook｜The Complete Guide to Traveling Abroad with Your Dog or Cat
(5) Import permit and health certificate of the destination country
Depending on the destination country, in addition to the Japanese export quarantine certificate, the local authority'simport licensemust be obtained in advance (e.g., Australia, New Zealand, Singapore). In addition, a veterinarian-issuedhealth certificate(format, language, and expiration date vary from country to country) is also required in many countries.
Latest requirements by country (as of 2026)
🇪🇺 Travel to EU countries
- Microchipped (ISO 11784/11785)
- Rabies vaccination (after microchipping)
- Rabies antibody titer test (0.5 IU/ml or higher) → 3 months after blood collection
- EU-formatted health certificates for animals
- Dogs: Proof of echinococcus extermination required in some countries
🇺🇸 Travel to the U.S.
- Microchip (ISO standard) installed
- Must be at least 6 months old
- CDC Dog Import Form Online submission (receipt required) of
- Japan is a low-risk country for rabies, so additional vaccine certification is not required for travel in principle.
- Hawaiihas a separate specific requirement (confirmation required)
🇬🇧 Travel to the UK
- Microchipping
- rabies vaccination
- Rabies antibody titer test (EU equivalent requirement)
- Animal health certificate in GB format (obtained within 10 days prior to travel)
- Dogs only: Proof of tapeworm extermination required
🇦🇺 Travel to Australia
- Obtain import permit in advance (required)
- Microchipping
- Multiple blood tests and various vaccinations
- Facility quarantine upon arrival (minimum 10 days)
- At least 8 months of preparation time required
🇳🇿 Travel to New Zealand
- Strict requirements almost equal to those in Australia
- Obtain import permit in advance (required)
- Facility quarantine upon arrival (minimum 10 days)
- At least 8 months of preparation time required
🇸🇬 Travel to Singapore
- Advance import permit (AVS)
- rabies vaccination
- From Japan: Quarantine period 0-7 days (depending on the status of the country of departure)
*Requirements are subject to change without notice. Please be sure to check the latest official information before traveling. For other countries, please contactPet Transportation Guide by CountrySee also.
🐾 Once you have decided on a destination, check your schedule first with a free consultation!
Please let us know your destination, breed, and desired departure date, and we will organize the necessary procedures and deadlines.
We provide comprehensive support from document preparation to quarantine application.
Consultation is completely free｜Online support available｜Weekends and holidays also available
Types of transportation methods and how to choose one
Checked baggage (checked into the cargo hold)
On international flights departing from Japan, the petAs a rule, no items may be brought into the guest room.(except for a few exceptional routes). The most common transportation methods are,How to check your baggage in the cargo compartment as checked baggageIt is.IATA (International Air Transport Association) Standardsfilled cage and will be on the same flight as the owner. We can accommodate mainly small dogs and cats, but conditions vary by airline, season, and route.
Cargo flights (pet-only flights)
This method of transportation is by a separate freight service from the owner. Large dogs, multiple dogs, andshort-hairedThis service is utilized for cases that cannot be handled with checked baggage, such as the following, or during seasons when airline companies have strict restrictions on accepting pets. The safety of pets is high, however, because they are arranged and managed by specialized carriers,Costs tend to be higheris available. For more information, see theThe Complete Guide to International Pet Transportfor more information.
Special cases: short, elderly, many animals
Short-headed breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, etc. have narrow airways and are at higher risk during transport.Therefore, many airlines have established transportation restrictions: JAL does not allow French Bulldogs/Bulldogs on all flights, and ANA does not allow international cargo of short-horned breeds year-round (as of March 2026, be sure to check for the latest information).
Prior thorough examination is recommended for older dogs and cats (10 years of age or older is the standard).transportation of large numbers of animalsrequires documentation and procedures for each and every animal. For more information, please contactThe Complete Safety Guide to Flying with Petsfor more information.
Estimated cost
Costs vary greatly depending on destination, pet size, number of pets, and method of transportation. The following are just for reference.For more information, please contact us for a free estimate.
| cost item | Approximate (1 head, 1 time) |
|---|---|
| Microchipping | 5,000-10,000 yen |
| rabies vaccination | 3,000-8,000 yen |
| Rabies antibody titer test | 15,000-20,000 yen |
| Medical Examination and Health Certificate | 10,000-20,000 yen |
| Export quarantine fee | 6,900 yen and up (animal quarantine station) |
| Transportation cost (airline) | Neighboring Asia: 200,000-500,000 yen / North America and Europe: 300,000-800,000 yen / Australia: 800,000-1,500,000 yen |
| PetAirJPN Support Costs | 130,000 yen and up (Departure only, Course A) |
*Costs are estimates only. It will vary depending on the airline, time of year, size of pet, and complexity of procedures.Click here for more information on fee plans.Please check from
Checklist of common mistakes and countermeasures
→ There are cases where the order of documents does not meet the requirements and you may need to start over. Be sure tomicrochip→ Vaccines, in that order.
→ Need to re-vaccinate and retest. Timeline may be extended by 2-3 months.Vaccine and Antibody Titer Testing GuideCheck in advance at
→ It is important to finalize the transportation method as early as possible, taking into account the breed and season.Shorthorse Flight GuideCheck the restrictions in the following table.
→ Prepare documents with short validity periods last. Keep a list of expiration dates.Guide to avoiding mooringsSee also.
→ August 2024 onwards,receiptYou cannot enter the country without it. Don't forget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary: The next move starts here.
Traveling abroad with your pet can be reliably supported if you proceed in the right order and in plenty of time. The important things areStart early, get your paperwork in order, and make sure you know the latest regulations for your destination."The three points are
At PetAirJPN, we will ask you about your destination and pet's situation during a free initial consultation, and inform you of the necessary procedures and deadlines in an organized manner. Even if you are "still in the information gathering stagePlease feel free to contact us.The following is a list of the most common problems with the
🐾 Traveling abroad with your pet, start with a free consultation
Please let us know your destination, desired departure date, and pet situation.
A summary of the required procedures and deadlines will be provided.
Completely free of charge｜Online support available｜Open on weekends and holidays
*The information in this article is current as of March 2026. Quarantine regulations and airline policies of each country are subject to change without notice. Please be sure to check the latest official information before traveling.
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