Moving a dog or cat from Hong Kong to Japan is very doable with the right preparation. Budget around 36-42 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route stack up quickly. Factor in …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Hong Kong to Japan
typically takes around 36-42 weeks.
Expect 7 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.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Hong Kong to Japan import process
01
Week 0
Microchip (ISO) before any vaccination
Responsible: HK vet
02
Week 0-2
First rabies vaccination
Responsible: HK vet
03
Weeks 2-6
30-day wait
Responsible: N/A
04
Week 6+
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: HK vet
05
Weeks 6-10
30-day wait
Responsible: N/A
06
Week 10+. 180-day clock starts from blood draw.
FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory
Responsible: HK vet + AQS-approved lab
07
Weeks 10-36
180-day wait from blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
08
2+ weeks before departure. Can run during wait.
Apply for AFCD Permission to Export Animals
Responsible: You or agent
09
During the 180-day wait period.
AQS advance notification (40+ days before arrival)
Responsible: You or agent
10
Week 34+
Book Cathay Pacific or ANA Cargo HKG-NRT
Responsible: You or agent
11
Within 10 days of travel AND 7 days before NRT arrival.
AFCD-endorsed MAFF health certificate
Responsible: AFCD-authorised vet + AFCD
12
Min 12 hours. Typically 2-7 days.
Arrive NRT. AQS inspection and quarantine.
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, non-negotiable.
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. Hong Kong is non-designated for AQS.
Quarantine
Minimum 12 hours on arrival. 2-7 days in practice for non-designated countries.
Import permit
Advance AQS notification at least 40 days before arrival. No separate permit.
Health certificate
MAFF-format certificate endorsed by AFCD. Dual window: within 10 days of travel AND within 7 days of Japan arrival.
Leaving Hong Kong
Export requirements
Export permit
Permission to Export Animals required from AFCD. Apply 2+ weeks before departure.
Health certificate
AFCD-endorsed health certificate in MAFF format. Issued within 10 days of travel AND within 7 days of Japan arrival per AQS dual-window rules.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Cathay Pacific or ANA Cargo fees HKG-NRT
IATA-compliant crate
FAVN titre test at AQS-approved lab
AFCD export permit fee
AQS quarantine fees on arrival
Agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points
Microchip before first vaccination, wrong order = restart entire AQS sequence.
180-day wait from blood draw, not result date.
Health certificate dual window: within 10 days of HK departure AND within 7 days of Japan arrival.
AQS advance notification: hard 40-day deadline.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Cathay Pacific
Direct HKG-NRT/HND. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Hong Kong's national carrier with deep AFCD export familiarity and strong Tokyo routes.
Cargo Only
ANA
Direct HKG-NRT/HND. ANA Cargo. Japanese carrier with deep AQS import familiarity at Tokyo airports.
Cargo Only
JAL
Direct HKG-NRT. JAL Cargo. AQS-experienced at Narita arrival.
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines
JAL Cargo HKG-NRT. Short 4-hour flight. Good option alongside Cathay.
Cargo Only
Meeting Japan's entry requirements
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.
Advice worth following
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow 36-42 weeks. Two vaccinations (30 days apart), titre test at an AQS-approved lab (blood drawn 30 days after the second vaccination), 180-day wait from blood draw, and 40 days advance AQS notification.
No. Hong Kong is non-designated, meaning the full 180-day protocol applies: microchip first, two vaccinations, FAVN titre test at an AQS-approved lab, 180-day wait, 40-day advance notification, and MAFF-format health certificate.
The AFCD health certificate must be issued within 10 days of Hong Kong departure AND within 7 days of Japan arrival. With a 4-hour HKG-NRT flight, book the AFCD vet appointment 5-7 days before departure to meet both windows comfortably.
Cathay Pacific Cargo and ANA Cargo both offer direct HKG-NRT services. Cathay has strong AFCD export familiarity; ANA has deep AQS arrival expertise at Narita. JAL Cargo is also a solid option on the same route.
Yes. AQS quarantine is mandatory for all non-designated country arrivals. Minimum 12 hours, typically 2-7 days depending on documentation completeness. Quarantine fees are charged per day.
Airline guides
Cathay Pacific
ANA
JAL
Japan Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.