Pet Transport from Belgium to Japan

The journey from Belgium to Japan for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. Plan for approximately 33-39 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …

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33-39

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

33-39 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

9 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Belgium to Japan typically takes around 33-39 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The Belgium to Japan import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 180-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel

Apply for import permit from Japan

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (14 days)

Responsible: Japan quarantine authority

Requirements

Japan entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel. Must be vaccinated at least 30 days before import.

Rabies titre test

Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

No fixed quarantine for a compliant animal. Japan's Animal Quarantine Service clears a pet that meets the full protocol in under 12 hours at the airport, which is an inspection rather than a stay. An animal that does not meet it, most often because the 180-day wait from the blood sampling date is incomplete, is detained at an AQS facility for the remainder of that period, up to 180 days, at the owner's cost. Source: MAFF Animal Quarantine Service.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service). Apply: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel. Formal import permit required from MAFF.

Health certificate

Required. Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of origin. Valid for 10 days from issue. Issued within 10 days of travel. Must list microchip number and vaccination details.

Leaving Belgium

Export requirements

Export permit

Not required

Health certificate

EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by FASFC-authorised vet.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Japan)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
Japan Airlines (JAL)	Cargo: Pets transported as checked baggage in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds: French Bulldogs BANNED from cargo (May-October). English Bulldogs banned year-round. Summer restrictions: May-October temperature embargoes on some routes	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply	Cabin and Cargo

Japan import rules, explained

Japan runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.

Practical tips for this move

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow at least 33 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Japan. Your pet will stay for 14 days at MAFF quarantine station on arrival. Confirm the facility, duration, and current charges with the destination authority before travel.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 180-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Japan. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from Japan’s authority (MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service)). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Belgium. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Japan’s authority for the exact format required.

Airline guides

Lufthansa
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Emirates
British Airways
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air France
KLM
Korean Air

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations
MAFF · Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Animal Quarantine Service