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JP
Pet Transport from Germany to Japan
Official rules on this page checked
Step by step
The Germany 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
Verify immediately. If yes and vaccination records are post-chip, proceed. If not, restart sequence.
Is the microchip implanted and was it implanted before any rabies vaccination?
Responsible: German vet
2
If yes, proceed to titre test check. If not, complete the sequence.
Are there two rabies vaccinations on record, given at least 30 days apart, both after the chip?
Responsible: German vet
3
If yes and result was 0.5+ IU/ml, is the 180-day wait from that blood draw date complete?
Was the titre test blood drawn at an AQS-designated laboratory, on the date of the second vaccination or later, within that vaccination's effective period?
Responsible: German vet + AQS-approved lab
4
Count from the blood draw date, not the results date.
Is the 180-day wait from the blood draw date complete?
Responsible: You
5
Via AQS portal or through agent.
Submit AQS advance import notification (at least 40 days before arrival)
Responsible: You or agent
6
Once travel date confirmed.
Book Lufthansa Cargo FRA-NRT
Responsible: You or agent
7
Within 10 days of travel.
Obtain MAFF-format health certificate endorsed by German competent authority
Responsible: Your vet + official German government veterinarian
8
Present all original documents.
Arrive at NRT/HND. AQS inspection. Clearance in under 12 hours if every date and document lines up.
Responsible: AQS
Which Japan rules depend on a pet coming from Germany?
Japan sorts countries into 2 groups, and Germany falls in “Non-designated regions”.
Microchip, two or more rabies vaccinations (first at 91 days or older), antibody test of 0.5 IU/ml or more at a designated laboratory, 180-day wait from blood sampling, 40-day notice, clinical inspection within 10 days and government certificate (Form AC). Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies titre test: Rabies antibody test at a Japan-designated laboratory. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Blood is drawn after the second vaccination (may be the same day). Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Pass mark is 0.5 IU/ml or more. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The result is valid for 2 years from blood sampling. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Arrival only after 180 days from the blood sampling date (sampling date is day 0); any shortfall is served in AQS detention. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: If the 2-year result expires, a new test is needed but the 180-day wait does not restart, provided vaccinations stayed continuous, the new sample is at least 180 days after the first and the titre is 0.5 IU/ml or more. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Biobest Laboratories Ltd (UK) has been removed from Japan's designated laboratory list; holders of its certificates issued 27 November 2024 to 25 June 2025 must contact AQS at the port of entry. Do not use Biobest for Japan. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import and export quarantine of dogs and cats, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: A private vet may complete Form AC, then an official government veterinarian must endorse it. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: At least two rabies vaccinations after microchipping. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: First vaccination at 91 days old or more (date of birth is day 0); vaccinations given under 91 days are invalid even if the exporting country allows 12 weeks. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Second vaccination 30 or more days after the first (first is day 0) and within the first vaccination's effective period of immunity. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Only inactivated (killed) or recombinant/modified vaccines are accepted. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Live virus and RNA rabies vaccines are not accepted. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Immunity must be continuous until arrival: a booster given after the previous vaccination's effective period has lapsed is not accepted and the whole process restarts from the first vaccination. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Non-designated regions: airside transit needs no extra certificate; entering the transit country requires that country's government health certificate. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
FAQ: Bringing dogs and cats into Japan from abroad, checked 1 October 2026 - Parasite treatment: Not required: AQS's official import guide for non-designated regions (updated September 2026) states that it sets out the conditions and procedures for import; its conditions (steps 1 to 8) contain no parasite treatment. Parasite control appears only as a recommended measure (Reference 3, and in step 8-2 for animals that will undergo detention), not as an import condition. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import guide for dogs and cats from non-designated regions (Japanese, updated September 2026), checked 2 October 2026 - Parasite treatment: In the same guide, flea, tick, roundworm and tapeworm treatment is listed under 'Reference 3: recommended measures', not as an import condition; AQS asks for it in particular for animals that will undergo detention. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import guide for dogs and cats from non-designated regions (Japanese, updated September 2026), checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: Microchip required, implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day allowed). Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: No stated entry age, but the first valid rabies vaccination is at 91 days old or more, followed by a second at least 30 days later and a 180-day wait from the blood sample, so the youngest possible arrival from a non-designated region is about 10 months (around 301 days) old. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Japan, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Japan guide.
What does Germany require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: Berlin example: apply to the district veterinary office three to four weeks before travel; fees are time-based under tariff 31050 of the Berlin VSGebO, from EUR 41 to EUR 615. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Berlin (Treptow-Köpenick).
Reisen mit Heimtieren, checked 1 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Rhein-Erft-Kreis example: the district veterinary office charges EUR 35 to issue a health certificate for a stay abroad; it is valid for at most 10 days. Applies to dogs and cats leaving from Rhein-Erft-Kreis.
Gesundheitszeugnis für Auslandaufenthalte von Hunden/Katzen, checked 1 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Official veterinary health and vaccination certificates for pets travelling abroad are issued by the local veterinary office (Veterinäramt) of the city or district (example: Munich city Veterinäramt). Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
Tiere im Ausland und bei Reisen, checked 1 October 2026 - Other conditions: Entry rules for dogs and cats vary widely between non-EU destinations (blood tests, parasite treatment, entry permits); owners must check the destination's rules in advance. Applies to dogs and cats leaving Germany for non-EU countries.
Reisen mit Hund und Katze außerhalb der EU, checked 1 October 2026
Costs
What this route typically costs
Lufthansa Cargo fees FRA-NRT (direct, fee varies by pet size and …
FAVN titre test (EU-approved and AQS-approved lab)
German authority health certificate endorsement fees
AQS quarantine facility fees on arrival
Agent fee (strongly recommended for Japan)
Critical points
Germany is non-designated for AQS. The full 180-day protocol applies without exception.
Microchip before vaccination is an absolute requirement. Any vaccination given before the chip does not count.
AQS advance notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Missing this causes significant problems.
The 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date, not the result date or the vaccination date.
Airlines
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Lufthansa
Direct FRA-NRT/HND. Lufthansa Cargo is the primary option for Germany-Japan. Strong FRA …
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA Cargo from Frankfurt via connections to NRT or HND. Japanese carrier with deep AQS …
Japan Airlines (JAL)
JAL Cargo from European hubs to NRT/HND. Experienced with AQS inspection protocol at Japan …
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore SIN to NRT/HND. Temperature-controlled cargo. Longer routing.
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to NRT. Summer heat embargoes may restrict.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow 36-42 weeks from starting the process. Two vaccinations, a titre test (blood drawn on the date of the second vaccination or later), 180 days from blood draw, plus 40 days advance AQS notification and health certificate preparation.
No. Japan’s AQS classifies all countries individually. Germany is non-designated, meaning the full 180-day protocol applies regardless of EU membership or German veterinary standards.
The titre test must be at an AQS-approved laboratory. In Europe, SCELAB (France), Sciensano (Belgium), and several others are AQS-approved. Check the current list at aqs.maff.go.jp before booking, the list is updated periodically.
You must notify the AQS quarantine station at your arrival airport (Narita, Haneda, or Kansai) at least 40 days before your pet arrives. Include microchip number, vaccination records, titre test details, and flight information. Your agent handles this, or you submit directly via the AQS portal.
Under 12 hours if the documentation is complete, which is a clearance at the airport rather than a stay. If a date or a document does not line up, most often the 180-day wait from the blood sampling date, the animal is detained at the AQS facility for as long as the shortfall requires, up to 180 days, and facility fees are charged per day.
Move your pet to Japan.
Get my free quoteDE JPGermany to Japan
International pet transport route
Lead time36-42 weeks
QuarantineSee key facts
ComplexityVery High
Airlines5
ServiceDoor to door
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Country and airline guides
Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.