Lead time needed
4-8 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Moderate
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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JP
DK

Pet Transport from Japan to Denmark

Shipping a dog or cat from Japan to Denmark rewards owners who start planning early. Expect about 4-8 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order. This route does not …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Japan to Denmark typically takes around 4-8 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Step by step

The Japan to Denmark 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
Early in preparation
Confirm ISO microchip predates rabies vaccination on all records

Responsible: Vet in Japan

2
Early in preparation
Verify rabies vaccination is current and 21-day post-primary wait is met

Responsible: Vet in Japan

3
3-5 weeks before travel
Book AQS examination appointment at designated Animal Quarantine Station

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within 10 days of departure
AQS examination and EU-format health certificate endorsement

Responsible: AQS-registered vet and AQS

5
4-6 weeks before travel
Book cargo from NRT or HND to CPH via hub

Responsible: Owner or freight forwarder

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Denmark

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day …
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination required. Pet must be at least 12 weeks old. 21-day …
Rabies titre test
Not required. Japan is on the EU approved third-country list under EU …
Quarantine
No quarantine for compliant pets. Danish veterinary inspection at Copenhagen …
Import permit
No import permit required. The AQS-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the …
Health certificate
EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC), Annex I format for listed third countries, …
Export permit
No formal export permit required for companion animals. AQS endorsement of the …
Costs

What this route typically costs

AQS examination and endorsement: JPY 30,000-80,000 (approx EUR …
Airline cargo NRT/HND to CPH via hub: EUR 800-2,400
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 70-280
Danish border inspection on arrival: EUR 100-250
IPATA agent fee (optional): EUR 300-700

Critical points

The AQS examination must occur at a designated Animal Quarantine Station, not at a standard vet clinic. Book in advance as appointment slots fill quickly.

The health certificate is valid for 10 days from the AQS issue date. Time your appointment carefully relative to your Denmark arrival date.

Denmark bans 13 breed types. Verify your dog's breed is permitted before booking cargo.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

Lufthansa Cargo
Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Frankfurt (FRA) direct, onward to Copenhagen (CPH) via SAS or …
Cargo Only
KLM Cargo
NRT to Amsterdam (AMS) direct, then AMS to CPH via KLM or SAS. Confirm cargo acceptance on …
Cargo Only
Finnair Cargo
NRT to Helsinki (HEL) direct, then HEL to CPH via Finnair or partner. Finnair Cargo …
Cargo Only
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
SAS serves Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) from multiple European hubs. SAS Cargo accepts live …
Cargo Only

What Denmark requires

The path into Denmark is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.

Avoiding the common mistakes

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Japan is on the EU approved third-country list under EU Implementing Regulation 2026/636. The FAVN rabies antibody titre test and the 90-day waiting period are not required. Your pet needs an ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and AQS-endorsed EU-format health certificate.
Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) is the authority that endorses health certificates for pets leaving Japan. The certificate must be issued by an AQS-registered vet at a designated Animal Quarantine Station. This endorsement gives the certificate official standing in Denmark. A standard vet clinic cannot fulfil this role.
No quarantine for compliant pets. FVST inspectors at Copenhagen Airport check the microchip, vaccination records, and AQS-endorsed certificate. If documentation matches the pet and is within validity, your animal clears without quarantine.
No. Denmark does not require Echinococcus tapeworm treatment, unlike Norway and Finland. This makes the Japan to Denmark route simpler than some other Nordic destinations.
Four to eight weeks is typically sufficient for a pet with up-to-date vaccinations and microchip. The main fixed element is the AQS appointment, which must fall within 10 days of your Denmark arrival. Book the AQS appointment three to four weeks before departure to secure a slot.
Airline guides
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • KLM Cargo
  • Finnair Cargo
  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet to Denmark.

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JP DKJapan to Denmark
International pet transport route
Lead time4-8 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityModerate
Airlines4
ServiceDoor to door
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