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.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
For the standard non-designated-region procedure, identify the dog or cat with a microchip before its first rabies vaccination. ISO 11784/11785 is the standard; contact AQS about a non-ISO chip.
Standard non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
The standard procedure requires at least two rabies vaccinations after microchipping. The first must be given at age 91 days or older. The second must be at least 30 days later and within the first vaccination’s period of immunity; maintain valid cover until arrival.
Standard non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
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 non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
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 non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
Dog / Cat · In the cabin / Accompanied hold baggage / Separate cargo service
Japan’s designated regions are Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam. The standard residence branch requires continuous residence there since birth, for at least 180 days immediately before export, or since direct import from Japan. Departure airport alone does not establish eligibility.
Designated-region branch only. The residence and transit conditions must all be checked with AQS; selecting a departure airport is insufficient.
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.
Standard non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
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 non-designated-region procedure. Check residence, transit, vaccination history and any exception with AQS. The United States selection excludes Hawaii and Guam.
