Pet Transport from Japan to Finland
Japan is on the EU approved third-country list under EU Implementing Regulation 2026/636. Moving a pet from Japan to Finland requires no FAVN titre test and no fixed waiting period. The standout practical advantage on this route is Finnair's direct service …
The Japan to Finland import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: Owner or freight forwarder
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: AQS-registered vet and AQS
What your pet needs to enter Finland
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The tapeworm window is 24 to 120 hours before arrival in Finland. Account for total travel time, not just departure from Japan.
The tapeworm treatment must appear in the health certificate. Arrange the AQS examination after treatment is administered so it can be recorded.
Finnair Cargo only carries live animals on its own direct services, not on partner-operated segments. Confirm the specific operated segment is a Finnair flight.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
What do pets from Japan need to enter Finland?
Finland follows EU Implementing Regulation 2026/636 as an EU member state. Japan’s listed status means the titre test and 90-day wait applicable to unlisted countries are waived.
The core requirements are an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before the first rabies vaccination, a current rabies vaccination (21-day post-primary wait if recently vaccinated), and an EU-format Animal Health Certificate (AHC, Annex I for listed countries) endorsed by Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at a designated Animal Quarantine Station.
For dogs specifically: Finland requires all dogs to receive an Echinococcus tapeworm treatment before entry. The treatment must be administered by a vet, must use praziquantel or a pharmacological equivalent, and must happen between 24 and 120 hours before the dog arrives in Finland. The date and time of treatment must appear in the health certificate. This is not optional and is enforced by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) at Helsinki Airport. Finland has maintained its Echinococcus-free status through this requirement since the parasite is not established in Finland. Source: ruokavirasto.fi.
Which airlines carry pets from Japan to Finland?
Finnair is the practical first choice for this route. Finnair operates direct flights from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Helsinki Airport (HEL) and Finnair Cargo accepts live animals on its own direct services. Bookings must be arranged through a registered freight forwarding company. This eliminates the hub connection that most other Japan-to-EU routes involve.
If Finnair space is unavailable, Lufthansa Cargo covers NRT to Frankfurt (FRA) with onward connections to Helsinki via Finnair or Lufthansa partners. KLM Cargo operates NRT to Amsterdam (AMS) with AMS to HEL connections. Both alternatives involve two separately confirmed cargo legs.
How much does moving a pet from Japan to Finland cost?
Total costs typically fall between EUR 1,200 and EUR 3,500. AQS examination and endorsement costs JPY 30,000 to JPY 80,000 (roughly EUR 200 to EUR 530). Finnair Cargo on the NRT-HEL direct route costs approximately EUR 700 to EUR 2,200 depending on crate size. The vet tapeworm treatment and record adds EUR 40 to EUR 100 for dogs. Finnish border inspection at HEL runs EUR 100 to EUR 250. An IATA-compliant crate adds EUR 70 to EUR 280.
An IPATA-registered agent managing the AQS appointment, tapeworm timing, and cargo booking typically adds EUR 300 to EUR 700.