Lead time needed
33-39 weeks
Quarantine
14 days
Route complexity
Very High
Airlines
9 carriers on this route
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CY
JP

Pet Transport from Cyprus to Japan

Shipping a dog or cat from Cyprus to Japan rewards owners who start planning early. Expect a long lead time of roughly 33-39 weeks; the waiting periods here cannot be rushed. Factor in 14 days of quarantine at the destination. You will need a rabies titre …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Cyprus to Japan typically takes around 33-39 weeks. Expect 14 days of quarantine on arrival. 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.
Step by step

The Cyprus to Japan import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

2
After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

3
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

4
Apply early: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel
Apply for import permit from Japan

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

5
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)

6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

7
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

8
Immediately on arrival (mandatory)
Quarantine on arrival (14 days)

Responsible: Japan quarantine authority

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Japan

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as …
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel. …
Rabies titre test
Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine. 14 days. Facility: MAFF quarantine station. 14-day …
Import permit
Required. Issued by: MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service). Apply: Apply 2-4 weeks …
Health certificate
Required. Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of …
Export permit
Not required
Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and …
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 for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. …
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Cargo: Pets transported as checked baggage in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa …
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to …
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic …
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for …
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM …
Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air …
Cabin and Cargo

Japan entry requirements at a glance

Getting a pet into Japan means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.

Getting the details right

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

FAQ

Common questions

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 Cyprus. 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
  • British Airways
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • Emirates
  • Lufthansa
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Air France
  • KLM
  • Korean Air
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Japan.

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CY JPCyprus to Japan
International pet transport route
Lead time33-39 weeks
Quarantine14 days
ComplexityVery High
Airlines9
ServiceDoor to door
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