Bringing a dog or cat from France to Japan
Under Japan's rules, pets from France are in the group “All other countries and regions”. A dog from France needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. Plan for about 8 months (240 days) from the first vaccine to arrival.
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.
All other countries and regions Permit and long wait
- Titer test
- Required
- Wait after blood test
- 180 days
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
Minimum preparation: about 8 months (240 days) from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.
Step by step
Microchip first
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit chip before the first rabies shot. Chips starting with 900 202 are not accepted, and some other 900-prefixes need early notice to AQS.
Give two rabies vaccines
Give the first dose at 91 days of age or older, after microchipping. Give the second at least 30 days later, while the first is still valid. Inactivated or recombinant vaccines only; live and RNA vaccines are not accepted.
Rabies antibody test at a designated lab
Draw blood after the second vaccine and send it to a lab designated by Japan. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. It is valid for 2 years.
Wait 180 days
The pet may arrive no sooner than 180 days after the blood draw. Keep boosters going so the vaccine never lapses.
Notify AQS 40+ days ahead
Notify the arrival-port AQS office at least 40 days before arrival. Late or changed notifications (earlier date, extra or substitute animals) are generally refused.
Vet exam and government certificate
A vet examines the pet within 10 days before boarding. The export country's government then endorses the certificate (Form AC recommended). Originals are required, with no pencil or correction fluid.
Arrive at a designated port
Dogs must enter through one of 19 designated ports (for example Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, New Chitose or Naha airport). Cats arriving elsewhere need advance contact with AQS.
Up to 180 days of detention at an AQS facility (at the owner's cost), or the pet is sent back, if requirements are not met
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 France to Japan?
France counts as "All other countries and regions" for Japan. Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is about 8 months (240 days): rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from France to Japan?
Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and the pet can arrive 180 days after the sample.
Will my pet be quarantined in Japan?
Not if every rule is met. Up to 180 days of detention at an AQS facility (at the owner's cost), or the pet is sent back, if requirements are not met
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from France.
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.