Pet Transport from India to Japan
36-40
weeks
typical
typical
High
route
complexity
complexity
Yes
quarantine
required
required
TL;DR
India to Japan is one of the most time-consuming pet transport routes in the world. Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) requires a minimum 180-day waiting period after a successful rabies titre test - a rule that cannot be shortened, expedited, or waived.
Starting from scratch, the minimum timeline is 36-40 weeks. The sequence is fixed: microchip first, first rabies vaccination, wait 30 days, second vaccination, wait 30 days, titre test at an AQS-approved lab, wait 180 days, then submit advance notification to AQS at least 40 days before travel.
India is classified as a non-designated region for Japan AQS purposes, which means the full extended protocol applies. Using an IPATA-registered agent with Japan experience is strongly recommended.
All Requirements — India to Japan
| Requirement | India rule (exit) | Japan rule (entry) |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 required | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted BEFORE any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to be counted by Japan AQS. |
| Rabies vaccination | Current vaccination required before departure | Two rabies vaccinations required. First vaccination after microchip implant. Second vaccination at least 30 days after first. Revaccination within the manufacturer's specified validity period thereafter. |
| Rabies titre test | — | Mandatory. Rabies Virus Neutralising Antibody Test (FAVN or RFFIT) at a Japan AQS-approved laboratory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after SECOND vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. The 180-day wait begins from the date of blood draw. |
| Health certificate | Official health certificate from State Animal Husbandry Department or central government-approved veterinarian. Must confirm microchip, vaccination history, and health status. | Official health certificate issued within 10 days of departure, endorsed by DAHD or central government authority. Must include all vaccination and titre test details. |
| Quarantine | — | Mandatory. Minimum 180-day wait calculated from the date of blood draw at an AQS-approved laboratory. Pets arriving without completing the 180-day wait will be quarantined at the owner's expense at an AQS facility in Japan. Typical facility quarantine period: up to 180 days minus days already elapsed. |
| Import permit | — | Advance notification required. Submit import application to Japan Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at least 40 days before arrival. AQS issues inspection notice. |
| Export permit | No-objection certificate or export health certificate from State Animal Husbandry Department (DAHD) or authorised government vet. Allow 2-4 weeks. | — |
Preparation Timeline
1
Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785)
2
First rabies vaccination
3
Second rabies vaccination
4
Rabies titre test at AQS-approved laboratory
5
180-day wait
6
Submit advance import application to Japan AQS
7
Obtain official health certificate
8
Travel to Japan and AQS inspection at Narita/Haneda
Cost Estimate — Line Items
ItemNotes
1
Two rabies vaccinations: veterinary fee in India
2
Titre test at AQS-approved laboratory: approximately INR 5,000-15,000 depending on lab
3
Official health certificate from State Animal Husbandry Department
4
Japan AQS advance notification processing
5
Airline cargo fees Delhi/Mumbai to Tokyo: approximately INR 30,000-80,000 depending on pet size
6
IATA-compliant travel crate
7
IPATA agent fee (strongly recommended for Japan)
8
AQS facility quarantine fees if the 180-day rule is not met on arrival
Airlines — Policy Data
| Airline | Transport type | Policy summary |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | _ | Air India operates Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). Air India Cargo handles pets. Direct option from major Indian hubs to Japan. |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | _ | ANA operates India-Japan routes (Delhi to Tokyo and others). ANA Cargo handles pets. Japanese carrier with strong cargo operations to Japan. |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | _ | JAL operates Japan-India routes. JAL Cargo handles pets. No cabin pets on international routes. |
| Singapore Airlines | _ | Via Singapore (SIN). Singapore Airlines Cargo is a reliable intermediary carrier for India-Japan routes. |
| Cathay Pacific | _ | Via Hong Kong (HKG). Cathay Pacific Cargo handles pets on India-Japan routing. |
| Emirates | _ | Via Dubai (DXB). Emirates SkyCargo. Longer routing but reliable cargo operations. |
Regulatory Risk Notes
- Japan has one of the strictest pet import protocols in the world. The 180-day wait from blood draw CANNOT be shortened under any circumstances.
- Microchip MUST be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If vaccinated before chipping, the vaccination does not count toward AQS requirements and the entire sequence must restart.
- The titre test must be performed at an AQS-approved laboratory. India does not have many AQS-approved labs - confirm the approved lab list with Japan AQS before booking the blood draw.
- AQS advance notification (at least 40 days before arrival) is mandatory. Late notification can result in refused entry.
- India is not a 'designated region' for Japan AQS. The full non-designated region protocol applies.
- Source: Japan AQS, aqs.maff.go.jp - always verify current requirements as AQS protocols can be updated.
Japan AQS non-designated country requirements: full compliance table
| Requirement | Specification | Consequence of non-compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785, before vaccination | Vaccine does not count. Entire sequence restarts. |
| First rabies vaccination | After microchip. Any approved vaccine. | Must precede titre test by at least 60 days. |
| Second rabies vaccination | At least 30 days after first. | Both vaccinations required. |
| Titre test | FAVN or RFFIT at AQS-approved lab. 0.5 IU/ml minimum. | Test at non-approved lab = does not count. |
| 180-day wait | From date of blood draw. Cannot be shortened. | Quarantine at AQS facility (owner’s expense). |
| Advance notification | At least 40 days before arrival. | May be refused entry. |
| Health certificate | Within 10 days of travel. Official vet endorsement. | Entry refused or quarantine. |
| Entry point | AQS-designated airport (Narita NRT recommended). | Must enter via AQS-approved port. |
Source: Japan Animal Quarantine Service (AQS), aqs.maff.go.jp
AQS-approved laboratories: where to get the titre test done from India
Japan AQS publishes a list of approved laboratories for the rabies titre test. The blood sample must be tested at an AQS-approved facility. The approved lab list for India includes a small number of options - some owners ship samples to approved labs outside India.
| Region | Approved lab options |
|---|---|
| India | Limited. Confirm current approved labs with Japan AQS before booking. |
| South Korea | KSVS (Korea Veterinary Science Institute) - frequently used for Asian routes |
| Japan | Nihon University, Tottori University - accept imported samples |
| Europe | Various EU-approved labs that are also AQS-listed |
Always confirm the current approved lab list directly with Japan AQS (aqs.maff.go.jp) before drawing blood. Using a non-approved lab means the test does not count.
Country Reference Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to transport a pet from India to Japan?
- Allow at least 36-40 weeks from start to travel day. Japan’s AQS requires a mandatory 180-day wait from the date of the rabies titre test blood draw. This cannot be shortened. Add time for two vaccinations (60+ days), the titre test itself, and advance AQS notification (40 days before travel).
- My pet is already vaccinated in India. Does the vaccination count for Japan AQS?
- Only if the microchip was implanted before the vaccination. Japan AQS requires the ISO microchip to be in place before any vaccination for that vaccination to count. If your pet was vaccinated before being chipped, the sequence must restart with a new vaccination after chipping.
- What happens if my pet arrives in Japan before the 180-day wait is complete?
- Your pet will be quarantined at an AQS facility in Japan at your expense for the remaining days of the 180-day period. AQS facility quarantine costs are significant. The 180-day rule has no exceptions or waivers.
- Which laboratory can I use for the titre test in India?
- The titre test must be done at a Japan AQS-approved laboratory. Japan AQS publishes the approved lab list at aqs.maff.go.jp. The approved options available in or accessible from India are limited - confirm the current list with Japan AQS before booking your blood draw. Some owners send samples to South Korea (KSVS) or to Japanese universities that accept imported samples.
- Do I need an agent to move my pet from India to Japan?
- Japan is the most documentation-intensive destination in the world for pet transport. An IPATA-registered agent with AQS experience is strongly recommended. AQS has strict requirements on sequence, timing, documentation format, and advance notification. An agent who has handled India-Japan moves before can prevent the costly errors that result in quarantine on arrival.
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