Pet Transport Japan to Germany: 2026 Guide
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Relocating a pet from Japan to Germany follows a clear path once you understand what Germany asks for. Give yourself close to 4-6 weeks so none of the fixed waiting periods catch you out. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival.
No rabies titre test is required. Follow the sequence below and keep a buffer for anything that slips.
The Japan to Germany process
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: AQS-registered vet plus AQS endorsement
Responsible: Airline cargo and German customs
Germany: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. Japan is on the EU's listed third countries schedule under EU Regulation 576/2013. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant pets. German customs (Zoll) inspects at Frankfurt (FRA). |
| Import permit | No import permit required. AQS-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | EU-format certificate endorsed by AQS, issued within 10 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion animals from Japan. Primary departure airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND). |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate issued by an AQS-registered vet and endorsed by Japan's Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). EU-format required. Pet must be examined at an Animal Quarantine Station before export. Issued within 10 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | AQS health certificate and endorsement: JPY 10,000-30,000 (approximately EUR 60-185) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed |
| 3 | Cargo NRT/HND to FRA (Lufthansa or ANA direct): EUR 1,200-2,800 depending on crate size |
| 4 | Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400 |
| 5 | Total typical range: EUR 1,550-3,600 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
Germany import rules, explained
Practical tips for this move
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.
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.
Common questions
Japan to Germany?