Pet Import to Japan must have the followings:

  • Tell us your plan 8-9 months before your planned departure
  • Insert Microchip
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccination records
  • IATA-standard crates required
  • Official Japan Animal Health Certificate
  • Blood Test
  • Other Treatments
  • Import permit
Countries Category

Designated Countries

Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Hawaii, Guam

Non-Designated Countries

Other than designated countries

Steps for Pets Import to Japan

Step 1: Microchip

Step 2: Fully vaccinated against rabies

Step 3: Rabies Antibody Titer Test

Step 4: Waiting periods(180 days or more)

Step 5: Advance notification (40 days before arrival)

Step 6: Clinical Inspection before departure

Step 7: Health Certificate

Step 8: Import Inspection

Notes: Advice to have Internal & External parasite treatment

Your pet will be held at the Animal Quarantine Service for a short period of time (less than 12 hours) before being released to you.  Dogs and cats Not meeting requirements will be quarantined for up to 180 days.

 

Designated airports where import of patsis allowed

New Chitose airport, Narita international airport, Haneda airport, Chubu International airport, Kansai International airport, Kitakyusyu airport, Fukuoka airport, Kagoshima airport, Naha airport

Flow chart to Japan

Guide to bringing pets into Japan

If you plan to immigrate to Japan and cannot bear to abandon your beloved pet, what should you do? Bringing pets immigration to Japan with you is the best way. Japan is a rabies-restricted country and has strict control measures for Japanese pet immigration. Therefore, the procedures for immigration to Japan with pets are complicated. Pets must be transported to Japan in compliance with the requirements of pet consignment. Otherwise, pets may need to be isolated in Japan and may even be barred from entry.

Japan has made specific and strict regulations on pets importation. If you violated the quarantine laws of Japan, pets that require immigration to Japan will be quarantined and even banned from entering the country. To allow your dog or cat to immigrate to Japan, they must understand the requirements of pet import to Japan, to make sure your pet travel to Japan smoothly.

The following is a simple integration of pet travel to Japan requirements and regulations for you in Japan. We hope to help you successfully immigrate to Japan with your pet.

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Note for immigration pets from Hong Kong to Japan

To bring pets to travel to Japan, you must notify the experts of PET TRAVEL at least 8-9 months before departure to complete the procedures for pet immigration to Japan, and you need to contact the airline in advance to arrange a pet seat reservation. If you can afford it, you can also choose to import your pets to Japan by private jet with you.

Our PET TRAVEL will arrange for you to bring your pet to the veterinary clinic for pre-flight inspection and ask the vet to provide the pet health certificate and arrange for the parasite treatment. After all the documents are in place, send the pet to the airline before the departure, and complete the check-in procedures for the pet. Import inspection is required after pets arrive in Japan.

PET TRAVEL· Professional agency helps your pet immigration to Japan

Pet travel abroad is a cumbersome process. Do you need an expert to assist you in moving your pets from Hong Kong to Japan? If you want to avoid some troubles on pet immigration to Japan, please contact PET TRAVEL, we are having professional pet immigration to Japan experts who will provide you with considerate services to avoid your pet from the fatigue of the journey!

Pet Travel is your most trustworthy pet immigration to Japan travel agency. We have a professional consultant team for pet immigration to Japan that will handle the whole immigration procedure pet, ensuring that your pet can receive the greatest care and attention. We will take care of all the detail and steps of Japan pet immigration, and handle the necessary document paperwork, including pet export vet, import, animal health certificate, flight reservation, pet in the cabin or pet cargo to Japan, and destination customs clearance. We will carefully list the price, fees, procedures of pet immigration to Japan so that you can clearly understand the procedures and fees.

Some may be concerned about the issue of importing pets to Japan. You can rest assured to leave it to us. If you want to allow pet immigration to Japan by private jets, arrange for a comfortable, luxurious, and fastest way to enter Thailand. Pet Travel can also arrange a private jag for the pet immigration to Japan.

For thorny issues such as bringing pet ashes to Japan, booking pet private jets to Japan, etc., please feel free to leave them to us. We can also assist you in arranging pet immigration to Japan by private jets and bringing pets’ ashes into Japan.

The agency fee of PET TRAVEL is not high at all. PET TRAVEL customizes the Japan pet immigration journey for you, making it easy for you to immigration your pet to Japan.

You don’t need to worry about which agency is better, and you don’t need to worry about the price, fees, and expenses of pet immigration to Japan. PET TRAVEL handles the pet immigration process of Japan for you. Japanese immigrant pets are not as difficult as imagined. As long as there is love, how can we separate you and your pet? Remember, your choice will change their remaining life.

Common FAQs

How long does the documents need for preparation?

For our pet relocation service, it is suggested that you should start planning with us at least 1.5-3 months before your departure. We need time to prepare the import and export documents and contact the airlines and customs. Airlines need to reserve for pet cargo/ excess baggage for pets. Moreover, some countries like Australia, Singapore, and Taiwan would require you to tell us your plan at least 8-9 months before departure. These countries have their own quarantine policies. We need to reserve and contact the import department of customs for further actions, e.g. booking for quarantine space and customs inspection.

Will I require a pet passport?
What else may be required apart from the vaccination?

Apart from vaccination and document for export, your pet may also require an Import Permit to enter specific countries. Some countries may require pet relocation companies on preparing these import documents. If you need this service, you could contact with our staffs. Contact Us

What documents do airline required?

Airlines will need the original veterinary health certificate, vaccination record for your pet, Shipper's Declaration Letter for Live Animals, and also the Airway Bill for Cargo. For import and export in Hong Kong, you may also need an Airline Certificate (Captain's Affidavit). In Pet Travel Hong Kong, we could help you with all these documents ready and contact the airline's team before you and your pet travel. 

Why should not I do the whole thing myself?

Certainly you can. Many people move theirselves to save money, but there are MANY mistakes in the whole process. If you are moving to another country and not familiar with its pet import policy, you'll end up suffering a lot with your pet. Although it is possible for you to do this yourself, if you make a mistake and cannot go over the difficulties, you will end up paying more than you could ever imagine.

By using our service to relocate your animal, you can save a significant amount of time, stress, and headaches. We handle all the paperwork so you won't have to. Pet relocation is something we specialize in for years and we know the in and out of every aspect of pet relocation better than anyone else. We treat all the pet as ours, facing every challenges with a smile.

Is it safe for my pet to fly?

Pet travelling on airplanes is as safe as human do. Airlines require pets to travel in containers that fit within the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations and with specific airline guidelines. All of the regulations and rules are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of your pet while traveling. In some cases, your pet may not be allowed to travel inside the cabin with you. Your pet will travel in a special cargo compartment within the aircraft. This compartment is climate-controlled as well as pressurized, so your pet will be safe and comfortable. It is on the same air circulation system with the cabin.

How to reduce the anxiety of the pet inside the journey?

Our Policy is to transport your pet with the minimum amount of stress involved. We will find the most direct and shortest route available, with the least time spent confined in the cage as possible. Additionally, there are certain products you can purchase, such as aromatherapy oil, which is a natural pheromone to induce a calmer state.

Will my pet be stressed from the flight?

Your pet will be pleased to see you and will probably enjoy a good meal at the end of their flight, but most animals travel very well and relax throughout the flight. There are more than a million pets that fly safely every year worldwide, and the captain will act accordingly if there are any animals aboard.

Can I take my cat on holiday with me?

We can let you know if this is possible when you tell us which airline and when do you wish to trave. We will make every effort to book cargo space on the same flight as your pet. In order to avoid you from paying unnecessary costs, it is suggested to let us check the availability for pets before you book your own flight if you wish to travel on the same flight, at the same time.

Can my pet travel with adaptive collars/or flat collars?

It is advised by every airline that pets do not wear any kind of collar while travelling as they are deemed as a choking hazard. However, they will be able to travel in the containers attached to their airline-approved crate in order to be able to refit them when they reach their destination. 

Can my dog/cat fly alone?

Yes, ticket of your dog/cat can be booked as cargo and can fly alone to most locations in the world.

Do I have access to my pet during the flight?

If your pet is travelling with you inside the cabin, usually, airlines are not allowing pets owners to open the bags and let the pets walk in the cabin base on safety reasons. However, we suggest you to bring the bag to the washroom and let the pets stretch a bit as we understand the needs of the owners. This can prevent your pet from disturbing other passengers and cause problems. Moreover, pet diapers and little bit of dry food is suggested to bring along. If your pet is a cat, you may want to bring a shoe case and some cat litter. When your cat need to use the washroom, you can put the cat litter inside the shoe case, this way you cat would relax more. 

If your pet is travelling as a cargo, unfortunately, you cannot meet your pet during the journey as both passengers and crews are not permitted access  the cargo hold. During refueling and transit stops, passengers will not be permitted access to their pets.

What if my pet needs to pee during the flight?

Unfortunately, little accidents sometimes do happen, so the crates are lined with absorbable puppy training pads to help soak up any little accidents that occurs unfortunately. Like humans, your pet may experience a little dehydration during the flight, which will reduce the need for urination. Also, do not feed your pet 5 hours before travel as this may increase the risk of defecation or vomiting.

Do snub nose animals have higher risk?

Yes, the risk is usually higher than normal animals. As they have shorter nose and trachea, the respiratory system is worse than normal animals. In certain months during the year, these kinds of animals are even banned from flying by some airlines, even when travelling as cargo. Following the regulations of IPATA, these animals require more space for ventilation and low temperature difference. As a result, airlines usually suggest owners to have a larger cage for better ventilation.

How to book with pet ticket with airlines?
First, you must make sure all the important documents are ready for your pet. You must have your pet microchipped and rabies vaccination and vaccination record for airlines. Airlines need to have all documents prepared so they could book the pet cargo/ excess baggage for you, as they do not want your hassle from the trip. The customs would not accept pets import their countries if the documents are not well prepared, your pet may have to quarantine or even be banned for import to their countries, your pet may need to turn back to your origin. Hence, airlines need all documents ready so they could reserve a seat for your pet. 
Lastly, it is important to note that some airlines will not allow you to book directly with them to fly your pet internationally to some countries. Instead, you'll be required to hire a pet-shipping company with an airline account. This is because they want to have the assurance that the import procedures and paperwork were completed correctly to avoid any penalties or fees.
What is the difference between ‘Excess Baggage’ and ‘Air Cargo’?

When you travel with your pet and you both check in at the passenger terminal, this is termed ‘excess baggage,’ however, your pet will still travel in the animal hold. Air Cargo can be used when you travel with your pet or if your pet is traveling without you. Your pet will be checked in through the cargo terminal at your departing airport and the cargo terminals of modern-day airports are used to handling and caring for animals. Some even have specialized rooms for holding animals.

Why my pet could not travel in cabin/ excess baggage with me on the same flight?
Although several airlines, domestic and international, accept pets as carry-on or excess baggage, you could travel with them. Carry-on pets must adhere to strict size restrictions, along with limitations regarding available space (both on board the airplane and in the cargo hold). Most airlines place a strict limit on the number of pets that can travel in the plane's cabin. Several will only allow one or two animals per flight.
Normally, airlines only accept cats and small dogs travel in the cabin with their owner, their weight must be < 8kg (17lbs) and the owner must put them in either a small soft pet container or IATA approved pet crate. One important thing you must know, some breeds like bulldog, wolf-dog and snub-nosed pets like exotic shorthair and pugs may be restricted by airlines. You may check with the airlines if you would like to travel with your pet in the cabin. 
For traveling in the baggage compartment (excess baggage), airlines could accept pets weight 30kg -50kg (Depends on airlines) to travel as excess baggage with the same flight. However, some countries may be restricted for pet travel as excess baggage due to their pet import policy, some countries may even do not accept pets for importing their countries. You have to reach the airline for further enquiries if you do not want to travel separately with your pets. If airlines do not accept pet travel on the same flight, you have to ship your pet in cargo by the airlines' cargo service. 
One key point to note, airlines may NOT ACCEPT pet travel in-cabin with TRANSIT Flight (Connecting Flight) from different airlines, some airlines may even serve pets in a direct flight.  Due to the COVID19 pandemic, some airlines have stopped pet check-in and limit pet travel.
For pet travel in cargo separately, the cost will be straightly expensive than pet travel in the baggage compartment or travel in a cabin. Your pet must be put in the IATA-approved pet crate and follow the LAR (Live Animal Regulations) by airlines.
In addition to large and giant breed dogs traveling in extremely large crates, some passenger aircraft aren't able to handle such oversized cargo. Keep in mind that the airlines must obey the International Animal Transport Association’s Live Animal Regulations (IATA/LAR) and they will require you to do the same. Taking your pet on the plane with you seems to be an attractive, affordable option. However, be aware that you run the very real risk of your pet missing the flight if there is no space available onboard or in cargo, or if you have not complied with the IATA/LAR.
Cargo Rates – Why it is so expensive for pet cargo?

Unfortunately, the cost of a flight for an animal is way higher than a flight for a human. This is due to the handling fee for airports and the size of the animal, also the custom clearing fee. Morover, the rate is also depend on the route, fuel efficiency and the length of the flight. Usually, the longer the flight is, the higher the cost. 

Is travelling as cargo safe?

You can be at ease while your pet is travelling as cargo. Your pet will not be stored with other cargo on the plane, instead, it will be placed inside an animal cabin, seperated with other cargo. Same as human cabin, the animal cabin is equiped with temperature controll system , ensuring your pet to have the right body temperature. Last but not least, each pet will have the own space inside the animal cabin. Therefore, they will have enough space for some movement and a good ventilation.