Pet Transport from Ireland to Japan

Relocating a pet from Ireland to Japan follows a clear path once you understand what Japan asks for. Plan for approximately 33-39 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the …

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33-39

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

14 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

33-39 weeks

Quarantine

14 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

9 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Ireland 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.

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The Ireland to Japan import process

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

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

Apply early: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel

Apply for import permit from Japan

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

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)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

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

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (14 days)

Responsible: Japan quarantine authority

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). Must be implanted before or on the same day as rabies vaccination.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel. Must be vaccinated at least 30 days before import.

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 quarantine is mandatory at MAFF-designated facility.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service). Apply: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel. Formal import permit required from MAFF.

Health certificate

Required. Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of origin. Valid for 10 days from issue. Issued within 10 days of travel. Must list microchip number and vaccination details.

Leaving Ireland

Export requirements

Export permit

No export permit required for pet cats and dogs.

Health certificate

EU pets can use existing EU passport. Non-EU destinations require destination-country AHC.

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

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 on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
British Airways	Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.	Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)	Cargo: Pets transported as checked baggage in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds: French Bulldogs BANNED from cargo (May-October). English Bulldogs banned year-round. Summer restrictions: May-October temperature embargoes on some routes	Cargo Only
Emirates	Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)	Cargo Only
Lufthansa	Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round	Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines	Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons	Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific	Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met	Cargo Only
Air France	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes	Cabin and Cargo
KLM	Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo	Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air	Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply	Cabin and Cargo

Japan import rules, explained

Japan takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.

Practical tips for this move

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

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.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

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 Ireland. 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.

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