Microchips, rabies records and advance notification. Understand the sequence before planning your trip.
Category and travel-history branches require the stated conditions. A departure airport alone does not establish eligibility.
Microchip identification
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For the standard non-designated-region procedure, microchip the dog or cat before its first rabies vaccination. ISO 11784/11785 is the standard; contact AQS about a non-ISO chip. AQS currently rejects numbers beginning 900 202 and warns that duplicate chip numbers may require re-identification and repeating the procedures.
Standard AQS non-designated-region procedure for privately owned dogs and cats. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and exceptions with AQS. The US option excludes Hawaii and Guam; local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
At least two rabies vaccinations are required after microchipping. Give the first at age 91 days or older and the second at least 30 days later, within the first vaccination’s immunity period. Maintain valid cover until arrival. AQS accepts inactivated or recombinant/modified vaccines; live-virus and RNA vaccines are not accepted.
Standard AQS non-designated-region procedure for privately owned dogs and cats. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and exceptions with AQS. The US option excludes Hawaii and Guam; local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Use a laboratory designated by Japan. Take the blood sample after the second rabies vaccination; the same day is permitted. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml and is valid for two years from sampling, subject to the vaccination conditions.
Standard AQS non-designated-region procedure for privately owned dogs and cats. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and exceptions with AQS. The US option excludes Hawaii and Guam; local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
In the standard non-designated-region procedure, arrival is after the 180-day wait from blood sampling (sampling day is day 0), while the vaccine and antibody test remain valid. AQS has specific rules for previously completed waits and renewed tests; this is not an individual departure-date calculation.
Standard AQS non-designated-region procedure for privately owned dogs and cats. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and exceptions with AQS. The US option excludes Hawaii and Guam; local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Japan designates Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam. Check evidence of continuous residence since birth, at least 180 days immediately before export, or since direct import from Japan. If none applies and residence is shorter than 180 days, AQS requires detention to make up the shortfall. Departure airport alone does not establish eligibility.
AQS procedures for departure from a designated region. Verify residence and transit evidence; the departure region alone does not grant the designated-region treatment or exemption from detention. Local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Notify AQS at the intended Japanese entry port at least 40 days before arrival. Approval follows review of the notification and supporting documents; this is separate from airline booking.
Advance notification applies to both designated and non-designated AQS procedures. Residence, transit and the appropriate export certificate still require separate checks.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For the non-designated-region procedure, arrange the veterinary clinical inspection within 10 days before boarding and obtain the exporting government’s certification. AQS inspects the animal and documents on arrival; completion of preparation does not guarantee admission.
Standard AQS non-designated-region procedure for privately owned dogs and cats. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and exceptions with AQS. The US option excludes Hawaii and Guam; local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Dogs and cats departing from designated regions must be identified by a readable microchip, normally ISO 11784/11785. Confirm non-ISO chips with AQS and supply a reader if necessary. Numbers starting 900 202 are currently not accepted; duplicate identification numbers may require repeating identification procedures.
AQS procedures for departure from a designated region. Verify residence and transit evidence; the departure region alone does not grant the designated-region treatment or exemption from detention. Local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Arrange a veterinary clinical examination within 10 days before boarding. The animal must show no clinical signs of rabies, and dogs also no signs of leptospirosis. Obtain the exporting government’s certificate, normally Form AB with official endorsement, recording identification, residence, examination and no rabies cases in the exporting country for at least the preceding two years.
AQS procedures for departure from a designated region. Verify residence and transit evidence; the departure region alone does not grant the designated-region treatment or exemption from detention. Local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For the designated-region procedure, use direct transport to Japan. Transit through a non-designated region requires either a cage sealed by the exporting government veterinarian with the seal number on the certificate, or an ANNEX transportation certificate documenting no contact with other animals and confinement in the cage. Deficient evidence can lead to 180 days of detention; confirm the transit arrangements with AQS.
AQS procedures for departure from a designated region. Verify residence and transit evidence; the departure region alone does not grant the designated-region treatment or exemption from detention. Local export and airline acceptance are separate.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Apply for AQS inspection on arrival and present the exporting government’s original certificate and any required transportation ANNEX. Cargo also requires a copy of the air waybill; an agent may need a power of attorney. Dogs use designated entry ports; contact AQS in advance for cats or eligible assistance dogs at other ports. Noncompliance may result in detention up to 180 days or return.
AQS procedures for departure from a designated region. Verify residence and transit evidence; the departure region alone does not grant the designated-region treatment or exemption from detention. Local export and airline acceptance are separate.
