Bringing a dog or cat from Australia to Japan
Under Japan's rules, pets from Australia are in the group “Designated rabies-free regions”. A dog from Australia needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Japan: There is no quarantine if you prepare correctly, but preparation is slow and unforgiving. Pets from most countries need a microchip, two rabies vaccines, an antibody test at a designated lab, a 180-day wait after the blood draw, and notice to AQS at least 40 days before arrival. Pets from 6 designated rabies-free regions skip the vaccines and the wait. Any mistake can mean up to 180 days in detention.
Designated rabies-free regions Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: No titer. The pet must have lived in the designated region for at least 180 days (or since birth). Any shortfall is served as detention in Japan.
Step by step
Microchip the pet
Use an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit chip, implanted before you send the advance notification.
Notify AQS 40+ days ahead
Send the advance notification to the AQS office at your arrival port at least 40 days before arrival (NACCS online, email or fax). AQS replies with an Approval of Import Inspection.
Vet exam within 10 days of departure
A vet examines the pet within 10 days before boarding. The pet must show no signs of rabies, and dogs no signs of leptospirosis.
Get the government certificate
The export country's government issues and endorses the certificate (Form AB recommended). It confirms residency, the microchip and the clinical exam. Have AQS check the draft first.
Fly direct or seal the crate
Fly direct if possible. If routing through a non-designated region, the crate must be sealed in the export country. Dogs must arrive at a designated port.
Inspection takes under 12 hours if everything is in order. Otherwise detention for up to 180 days (or the residency shortfall), or the pet is sent back.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same rules as dogs (microchip, vaccines, antibody test, 180-day wait, 40-day notice). Cats are not limited to the designated dog ports, and the leptospirosis check applies only to dogs.
- How many pets
- Not specified
- Parasite treatment
- Not mandatory, but strongly recommended before export, and the treatment should still be effective on arrival. Record any treatments on the certificate.
- Arrival
- Dogs: 19 designated ports only, at 11 airports (New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Osaka Itami, Kobe, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Naha) and 8 seaports (Tomakomai, Keihin, Nagoya, Hanshin, Kanmon, Hakata, Kagoshima, Naha). Cats have no port restrictions but should contact AQS first. Whether pets can fly in the cabin is up to the airline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Australia to Japan?
Australia counts as "Designated rabies-free regions" for Japan. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No titer. The pet must have lived in the designated region for at least 180 days (or since birth). Any shortfall is served as detention in Japan. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Australia to Japan?
No. Pets from Australia do not need a titer test for Japan if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Japan?
Not if every rule is met. Inspection takes under 12 hours if everything is in order. Otherwise detention for up to 180 days (or the residency shortfall), or the pet is sent back.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from Australia.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same rules as dogs (microchip, vaccines, antibody test, 180-day wait, 40-day notice). Cats are not limited to the designated dog ports, and the leptospirosis check applies only to dogs.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Japan pet import rules.