Travelling to Japan with your pet

The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination (or on the same day) and comply with ISO 11784/11785, with a 15-digit, numbers-only code.

• Chips starting with 900 202 are currently not accepted.
• With a non-ISO chip you must contact the Animal Quarantine Service and you may need to bring a compatible reader.
• The chip number must match on every certificate: check it before each blood draw and vet visit.

Your pet needs at least two rabies vaccinations, both after the microchip was implanted.

• The first dose is given when the animal is at least 91 days old.
• The second at least 30 days after the first, while the first is still valid.
• Only inactivated or recombinant vaccines are accepted: no live or RNA vaccines.
• Boosters must keep protection unbroken until arrival: if it lapses, you have to start again.

Ask your vet to record brand, batch and validity of each dose in the passport and on the certificate.

After the second vaccination (the same day is allowed) the vet draws blood and sends it to a laboratory designated by Japan (list on the MAFF website).

• The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
• The test is valid for 2 years from the sampling date.
• Your pet may arrive in Japan only after 180 days from sampling (sampling day counts as day 0).

On arrival both the test and the vaccination must still be valid. A non-designated lab makes the test unusable: check it before the blood draw.

Japan sets no minimum entry age, but the mandatory sequence creates one in practice:

• first vaccination at 91 days old;
• second vaccination and blood draw at least 30 days later;
• a 180-day wait from the blood draw.

A puppy or kitten therefore cannot enter before about 10 months of age. If you plan to travel or move with a young pet, start the procedure as early as possible.

You must notify the Animal Quarantine Service office at the port or airport of arrival at least 40 days before arriving in Japan.

• The notification is sent online through the NACCS system or, if that is not possible, by e-mail.
• Give the pet's details, microchip, vaccinations, test and planned flight.
• AQS issues an import inspection approval: carry it with you.

If you change date or airport, update the notification: without approval entry can be refused.

Within 10 days before boarding a vet must examine your pet and certify it shows no signs of rabies (and, for dogs, of leptospirosis).

• Certificates must be issued or endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the country of departure: in Italy, contact your local ASL veterinary service in good time.
• MAFF recommends Form AC, covering microchip, vaccinations and test.
• Originals are required: copies are not enough.

The EU pet passport alone does not replace this certificate.

On arrival the Animal Quarantine Service checks your pet, the microchip and the original documents.

• If everything is in order, the inspection is quick.
• If a requirement is missing (unreadable chip, expired test, waiting period not met, no notification) the pet is held in quarantine for up to 180 days or sent back.
• All costs are paid by the owner.

Double-check vaccination, blood draw and notification dates before booking your flight.