japan

Japan

1. Age of Animal

To travel to Japan, your pet must be at least 10 months or older. They need their own Rabies vaccination, which can be given at 12 weeks, and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test report (details in section 5).

2. Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip should be implanted either before or at the same time as the Rabies vaccination. Only a microchip implanted by an official, registered veterinarian will be accepted for export purposes.

Please note: Ensure that the microchip is readable by ISO-compatible readers. If a microchip fails, a new one must be implanted, and the entire process must be restarted. This means a new Rabies vaccination will need to be administered, either on the same day or after the new microchip is implanted.

3. Rabies Vaccination

Dogs or cats must be at least 12 weeks or 92 days old at the time of their first rabies vaccination. Pets must receive at least two rabies vaccinations with inactivated or recombinant vaccines after the microchip has been implanted. A yearly booster vaccination is required.

Please note: Only a registered veterinarian can administer these vaccinations for export purposes. Vaccinations given by a veterinary nurse, breeder, or welfare organization staff are not accepted.

4. Annual Vaccinations

Annual vaccinations for dogs and cats are recommended. The vaccinations must be older than 30 days but not older than one year upon arrival. A valid vaccination certificate will be necessary if your pet requires boarding or kenneling before or after travel.

For Dogs: Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough), and Leptospirosis.

For Cats: Feline Panleukopenia (Infectious Enteritis/Feline Distemper), Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Feline Calicivirus.

Please note: As with Rabies, these vaccinations must be administered by a registered veterinarian.

5. Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

Your pet must be accompanied by a laboratory result form from a government-approved laboratory (Onderstepoort) in the exporting country. This form should state that the pet underwent a neutralising antibody titration test on or after the date of the second rabies vaccination.

• The blood test results must show an antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml or greater.

• The results of the blood test are valid for two years from the date of sampling.

• Dogs and cats must wait at least 180 days between the date of blood sampling and their arrival in Japan.

• If the 180 days have not passed by the time of arrival, the animals will be quarantined at an AQS facility to complete the required days.

If your pet cannot arrive in Japan within the validity period of the rabies antibody test:

• A second rabies antibody test must be performed, and the pet must arrive in Japan within the two-year validity period from the date of the second blood sampling.

• If the following three conditions are all met, an additional 180-day waiting period is not necessary after the second rabies test:

  • The effective period from the first rabies vaccination continues up to arrival in Japan with the necessary additional rabies vaccinations.

  • The date of blood sampling for the second antibody test is at least 180 days after the date of blood sampling for the first rabies antibody test, counted as day 0.

  • The rabies antibody titre is 0.5 IU/ml or more in both antibody tests.

Please note: Blood for export purposes must be drawn exclusively by a registered veterinarian. All required information must be accurately completed on the laboratory submission form.

6. Import Permit

An Import Permit is required for pets travelling to Japan. The Japanese authorities must be notified at least 40 days before your pet’s arrival.

7. Health Certificate

Your pet must have an Official Third Country Health Certificate issued by a private veterinarian, confirming compliance with the above requirements, and countersigned by the State Vet. This must be done within 48 hours of departure. We provide our clients with a completed and accurate Health Certificate, along with clear guidance on what needs to be done.

If you have any further questions, please contact Global Paws. We're here to help!