Pet Transport from France to Japan

France to Japan is one of the most time-demanding pet moves you can make. Japan's AQS classifies France as a non-designated country, which means the full 180-day protocol: two vaccinations, titre test …

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36-42

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The France to Japan import process

Starting point.

Microchip before any vaccination

Responsible: French vet

After microchip.

First rabies vaccination

Responsible: French vet

Day 30+.

Second rabies vaccination (30+ days after first)

Responsible: French vet

Blood drawn 30+ days after second vaccination. 180-day clock starts here.

FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory (SCELAB France recommended)

Responsible: French vet + SCELAB or other AQS-approved lab

From blood draw date. Cannot be shortened.

180-day mandatory wait

Responsible: N/A

Submit during the waiting period.

AQS advance notification (40+ days before arrival)

Responsible: You or agent

Once waiting period complete.

Book Air France Cargo CDG-NRT

Responsible: You or agent

Within 10 days of travel.

DDPP-endorsed MAFF health certificate

Responsible: DDPP-authorised vet + DDPP

Present all original documents.

Travel. AQS inspection and quarantine at NRT/HND.

Responsible: AQS Japan

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). Before any rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Two vaccinations required. Both after microchip. At least 30 days apart. At least 30 days after second before titre test.

Rabies titre test

Required. FAVN at AQS-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day mandatory wait from blood draw date. France is non-designated for AQS.

Quarantine

Minimum 12 hours at AQS Japan on arrival. 2-7 days in practice for non-designated countries.

Import permit

Advance notification to AQS quarantine station at arrival airport at least 40 days before arrival.

Health certificate

MAFF-format certificate endorsed by DDPP. Within 10 days of travel.

Leaving France

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit for personal pets.

Health certificate

DDPP-endorsed official health certificate in MAFF format, within 10 days of travel.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Air France Cargo fees CDG-NRT

IATA-compliant crate

FAVN titre test (SCELAB or other AQS-approved EU lab)

DDPP health certificate endorsement

AQS quarantine fees on arrival

Agent fee (strongly recommended for Japan)

Critical points

France is non-designated for AQS. Full 180-day protocol applies. No shortcuts.

Microchip before first vaccination is non-negotiable. Wrong order = restart.

SCELAB in France is AQS-approved, a practical advantage for French-origin pets. Confirm current AQS approval at aqs.maff.go.jp.

40-day AQS advance notification deadline is firm.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Air France	Air France Cargo operates CDG-NRT direct. National carrier of origin with strong CDG cargo operation. Primary recommendation for this route.	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Via Frankfurt FRA to NRT/HND. Brachycephalic breeds restricted year-round.	Cargo Only
ANA	ANA Cargo from Paris via connections to NRT/HND. Strong AQS familiarity at Tokyo arrival.	Cargo Only
JAL	JAL Cargo connections from Paris to NRT/HND. Experienced with AQS inspection.	Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines	Via Singapore SIN to NRT/HND. Longer routing.	Cargo Only

SCELAB: the French advantage on this route

Japan AQS requires the FAVN titre test to be conducted at a laboratory on their approved list. SCELAB, based in Nancy, France, is an AQS-approved laboratory. For French pet owners, this means the blood draw and testing can happen domestically, no international sample shipping, no wait for foreign lab turnaround times.

Your French vet draws the blood at your local practice and sends it to SCELAB. Results typically come back within 10-14 days. If the result is 0.5 IU/ml or above, the 180-day clock starts from the blood draw date. Keep the SCELAB report carefully, it’s part of the final AQS health certificate documentation.

Always verify SCELAB remains on the current AQS approved list at aqs.maff.go.jp before booking. The list is updated periodically.

Comparing airline options: Paris CDG to Tokyo Narita

Airline	Route	Notes
Air France Cargo	CDG-NRT direct	National carrier. Strong CDG cargo, direct service. Primary choice.
Lufthansa Cargo	CDG via FRA to NRT	Brachycephalic breeds banned year-round.
ANA Cargo	CDG via connections to NRT/HND	Strong AQS familiarity at Tokyo end.
JAL Cargo	CDG via connections to NRT/HND	Experienced AQS arrival handling.
Singapore Airlines Cargo	CDG via SIN to NRT	Longer routing. Reliable hold.

Air France direct from CDG to Narita is the cleanest option: one airline, one aircraft, no transit complications. ANA Cargo is worth considering given their AQS arrival expertise at Narita if the Air France cargo schedule doesn’t fit your window.

The DDPP health certificate: getting the timing right

The health certificate must be in MAFF-specified format for Japan, endorsed by DDPP (the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations, France’s regional competent authority for animal health certificates). Your French vet prepares the certificate; the DDPP endorses it.

It must be issued within 10 days of travel. DDPP endorsement takes additional time beyond the vet appointment. In some regions DDPP turnaround is 2-3 days; in others it can be a week. Contact your local DDPP office early to understand their current lead time and book accordingly.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

Allow 36-42 weeks. Two vaccinations, a titre test (blood drawn 30 days after the second vaccination), the 180-day wait from blood draw, plus 40 days advance AQS notification and the DDPP health certificate, it’s a long sequence but each step is predictable.

Yes. SCELAB in Nancy is an AQS-approved laboratory. This is a genuine practical advantage for French pet owners, the blood draw and testing can happen domestically. Verify SCELAB remains AQS-approved at aqs.maff.go.jp before booking.

Yes. AQS inspects and quarantines all pets from non-designated countries on arrival. The minimum is 12 hours, but expect 2-7 days in practice. Quarantine fees are charged per day at the AQS facility.

You need to revaccinate and repeat the titre test. The 180-day waiting period restarts from the new blood draw date. Getting the vaccination sequence right from the start is important.

You must submit an import notification to the AQS quarantine station at your arrival airport (Narita, Haneda, or Kansai) at least 40 days before your pet arrives. Include microchip, vaccination records, titre test details, and flight information. Submit this during the 180-day waiting period.

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Pet Transport from France to Japan

The France to Japan import process

Japan entry requirements

Export requirements

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Approved carriers on this route

SCELAB: the French advantage on this route

Comparing airline options: Paris CDG to Tokyo Narita

The DDPP health certificate: getting the timing right

Common questions about this route

Airline guides

Breed guides

Move your petto Japan.

Get a free pet transport quote

Move your pet
to Japan.