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What is a rabies antibody titer test? Thorough explanation of cost, procedure, and duration｜Required for returning to Hawaii, NZ, and Japan [Latest in 2026].
The rabies antibody titer test (FAVN test) is a test to confirm that a dog's blood has sufficient antibodies against rabies. This test is required for travel to "rabies-free areas and clean countries" such as Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the U.K. and Japan.
The acceptance criteria are0.5 IU/ml or moreThe following is a list of the countries in which the blood samples will be taken. Some countries have a 180-day waiting period (180-day rule) from blood collection. If the start of preparation is delayed, departure may be delayed by several months,9-12 months prior to travelIt is important to start planning from the
📋 What this article will tell you
- List of countries/cases requiring rabies antibody titer testing
- How the "180-day rule" works and the importance of blood collection timing
- Procedures, costs, and duration at the designated domestic laboratory (National Bioscience Safety Institute)
- Common failures and what to do if the test result is below the threshold
- Pre-departure checklist and consultation with PetAirJPN
Which countries/cases require rabies antibody titer testing?
A "rabies clean country/region" is an area that is rabies-free or has had no recorded cases of rabies for a long period of time. These areas may require pre-travel antibody titer testing in order to protect the quarantine system. The major countries and regions covered are as follows
🌺 Hawaii and Guam
- Rabies antibody titer test:indispensable
- Requires a 180-day waiting period from blood collection
- Prior Entry Permit is required separately.
- Own regulation/ Valid only for inspections at designated institutions.
- Approximate preparation time: 12 months prior to departure
🥝 New Zealand and Australia
- Rabies antibody titer test:indispensable
- Requires a 180-day waiting period from blood collection
- There is a pending quarantine period after arrival (up to 10 days for NZ)
- Confirmation of the official seal of the document (official seal) is also required.
- Approximate preparation time: 12 months prior to departure
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and Ireland
- Rabies antibody titer test:indispensable(Only designated routes may be exempted.)
- At least 3 months must elapse from the date of blood collection (in the UK)
- Valid test results from EU accredited institutions
- AHC (Animal Health Certificate) required
- Approximate preparation time: 7 to 9 months prior to departure
🗾 Return to Japan (from abroad)
- Rabies antibody titer test:indispensable(Returning from outside the designated area)
- Entering the country after 180 days from blood collection (if less than 180 days have elapsed, the applicant will be detained).
- Period of validity of the test certificate: from the date of blood collection2 years
- Valid for inspections at the only designated domestic or foreign designated agency
- Approximate preparation time: 9-12 months before returning home.
In addition, rabies antibody titer testing may also be required for travel to EU countries (France, Germany, Spain, etc.) from Japan.EU pet travel rules are new after April 22, 2026, so it is necessary to check for the latest information. For more information, please contactEU Travel Regulations Revision GuideSee also.
What is the "180-day rule" that you need to know before the inspection?
How the 180-day waiting period works from the date of blood collection
The "180-day rule" means that the date of blood collection for rabies antibody titer testing is counted as day 0, and 180 days must elapse before entry into the target country or region is permitted (applicable to Hawaii, NZ, Australia, return to Japan, etc.).
In other words, there will be an additional waiting period of 180 days after the blood collection, confirmation of results, and documentation are completed. For example, if the blood collection is on January 1, 2026, the earliest you can enter the country isAfter June 30, 2026The first two are the following.
Mooring risk when entering the country for less than 180 days
If you arrive back in Japan without meeting the 180-day waiting period, you will be charged for the missing days.Animal quarantine mooring facilitiesThe pet will be quarantined at the During the mooring period, mooring fees will be charged on a daily basis and owners will not be able to see their pets freely.
The complete procedure for avoiding moorings isMooring Avoidance Guidefor more information.
Specific steps for rabies antibody titer testing (step by step)
Antibody titer testing is not a stand-alone test and must be performed in conjunction with microchipping and vaccination. It is very important to observe the following sequence
Microchipping (ISO standard)
- ISO 11784/11785 standard 15-digit microchip required
- If not microchipped, must be installed prior to all procedures
- If already installed, check with certificate/notebook
Rabies vaccination (2 or more doses)
- Second vaccination within 30 days or more and 1 year (or within the period of valid immunity) after the first vaccination
- Approximately 2 weeks (14 days or more) after the second vaccination, blood is drawn.
- The objective is to ensure that antibodies are produced sufficiently
- For more information.The Complete Guide to Vaccines and Antibody Titerssee
Blood samples collected at the appropriate time → mailed to designated laboratory
- Blood collected at your veterinary clinic (mailed after serum separation)
- Domestic: Mail to Bioscience and Safety Research Institute (Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Overseas (U.S., etc.): Overseas institutions designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, such as Kansas State University (KSU), are available.
- The date of blood collection is the starting date for the "180-day count".
Confirmation of inspection results and retention of certificates
- Acceptance Criteria:0.5 IU/ml or more
- If passed: Keep the certificate in a safe place (validity period: from the date of blood collection)2 years)
- Failure (less than 0.5 IU/ml): additional vaccination → repeat blood collection required (see details below)
- In many cases, English documents need to be prepared in order to submit the certificate to the quarantine authorities in the destination country.
The only designated inspection organization in Japan: National Bioscience Safety Institute
The only rabies antibody titer testing laboratory designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan,Institute for Bioscience and Safety Research, Inc.(Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture).
| (data) item | Contents |
|---|---|
| name of corporate body | Research Institute for Biological Sciences and Safety (RIASBT) |
| Location | 3-7-11 Hashimoto-dai, Midori-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-0132 |
| Phone number | 042-762-2819 (for rabies antibody testing only) |
| inspection fee | 13,000 yen (tax included) *Please check the latest RIASBT official website for the date in 2026 |
| Result notification period | Approximately 2 to 3 weeks (may vary during peak season) |
| Payment Method | Bank transfer (prepaid) |
| Mailing Method | Send by express or cool delivery, etc., with the serum separated and packaged in cool-dry packaging. |
| Official Site | https://www.riasbt.jp/pages/51/ |
When using an overseas designated agency (FAVN)
In cases where rabies antibody titer testing is already required while living overseas, it may be possible to use a designated overseas laboratory recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. One of the representative institutions is the Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University (KSVDL) in the U.S. The time required for the test is generally 10-14 days. However, testing fees and acceptance conditions are subject to change, so please check the official website of each institution for the latest information before using their services.
For a list of designated inspection agencies, seeList of designated inspection facilities at the Animal Quarantine Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesYou can check it at
🐾 Would you like to review the inspection schedule with us?
When should I draw blood?" and "Will my child make it?"
Check out our schedule for a free consultation first.
Be careful! Common mistakes and countermeasures
If blood is drawn immediately after the second vaccination, not enough antibodies have yet been produced and the level may be less than 0.5 IU/ml. If retesting is required, the 180-day count will be pushed back by that amount, and departure may be delayed by several months.
Measures:Blood samples should be taken at least 14 days after the second vaccination (guideline: 2-4 weeks after the first vaccination).
Even if the number and timing of vaccinations are appropriate, there are cases where individual differences make it difficult for antibodies to rise. In such cases, additional vaccinations, re-collecting of blood, and re-testing will be required. Since the new blood collection date is the starting date for the "180-day count," a major revision of the travel plan may be necessary.
Measures:Check with the animal quarantine station or your veterinarian for response procedures in case of reexamination, and reschedule as soon as possible.
Certificate of antibody titer test from the date of blood collection.2 yearsis the expiration date. Once a certificate has been passed, if it expires before the planned travel date, a re-inspection is required. In addition, we have seen cases where the calculation of the expiration date of a certificate is misunderstood as the "date of notification of results.
Measures:After receiving the certificate, check the date two years from now using the date of blood collection (date of collection) as the starting point and record the date in your notebook or calendar.
When calculating 180 days after the blood collection date, it differs by one day depending on whether the "blood collection date is counted as day 0" or "blood collection date is counted as day 1". In addition, in some cases, time difference calculations and flight times are not taken into account when determining the required blood collection date by counting backward from the planned travel date.
Measures:Calculate backward to the local arrival date and time of the destination country to allow sufficient time. Especially for international flights, since local arrival is often the next day, draw a safer schedule, such as calculating 180 days in advance of the arrival date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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From rabies antibody titer testing to paperwork and mooring handling.
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