In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Japan to Hong Kong
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
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Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
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Overview
A move from Japan to Hong Kong with a dog or cat is mostly about preparing the documents in the right order. Expect about 4-8 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met.
Read on for the requirements, timing and carrier options for this route.
Step by step
The Japan to Hong Kong process
1
Do this first. If Group 1: no titre test.
STEP 1: Verify Japan's current AFCD Group at afcd.gov.hk
Responsible: You or agent
2
Calculate precisely from your planned arrival date.
STEP 2: Confirm rabies vaccination in the 30-365 day window for planned HK arrival
Responsible: Japanese vet
3
Before travel. AFCD states a minimum of three working days to process, so treat that as a floor rather than a plan and apply early.
STEP 3: Apply to AFCD for the Special Permit
Responsible: You or agent via AFCD
4
2-4 weeks before travel.
STEP 4: Book Cathay Pacific or ANA Cargo NRT-HKG
Responsible: You or agent
5
Within 14 days of travel.
STEP 5: AQS-endorsed health certificate in AFCD format
Responsible: AQS Japan
6
3-4 hours before departure.
STEP 6: Cargo check-in Tokyo. AFCD inspection at HKG on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo + AFCD
Checklist
Hong Kong: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Not less than 30 days AND not more than 12 months before HK arrival. Dual window is critical.
Rabies titre test
Japan is likely Group 1 for AFCD Hong Kong. Verify current AFCD Group for Japan at afcd.gov.hk. If Group 1: no titre test required.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for Group 1 country pets with compliant documentation. AFCD inspection at HKG on arrival.
Import permit
Required. AFCD Special Permit, obtained before the animal travels. HK$432 for the first animal and HK$102 for each additional animal, with a stated minimum of three working days to process.
Health certificate
AQS-endorsed health certificate in AFCD format. Within 14 days of travel.
No formal export permit for personal pets. AQS issues the export health certificate.
Health certificate
AQS-issued health certificate in AFCD format. Issued within 14 days of travel.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cathay Pacific or ANA Cargo fees NRT-HKG
2
IATA-compliant crate
3
AFCD Import Licence fee
4
AQS health certificate fees
5
Agent fee (optional)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Verify Japan's AFCD Group status before planning. If Group 1: no titre test. If not: add titre test sequence.
⚠ Vaccination dual window: not less than 30 days AND not more than 12 months before HK arrival. Precise calculation required.
⚠ AFCD Special Permit: must be in hand before the animal travels. HK$432 for the first animal, HK$102 for each additional animal, minimum three working days to process.
⚠ AQS health certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Cathay Pacific
Direct NRT/HND-HKG. Cathay Pacific Cargo. Hong Kong's national carrier with deep AFCD arrival familiarity. Short 4-hour flight.
Cargo Only
ANA
Direct NRT/HND-HKG. ANA Cargo. Japanese carrier with strong AQS export familiarity at Tokyo departure.
Cargo Only
JAL
Direct NRT-HKG. JAL Cargo. AQS-experienced at Narita departure.
Cargo Only
Hong Kong Express
HK Express does not accept pets. Not suitable.
No Pets
What Hong Kong requires
Getting a pet into Hong Kong is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.
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.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Likely not, Japan is probably Group 1 for AFCD. Verify the current classification at afcd.gov.hk before planning. If Group 1, no titre test is required. The main requirements are the vaccination dual window and the AFCD Import Licence.
Hong Kong requires a Special Permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department before a dog or cat is brought in. It costs HK$432 for the first animal and HK$102 for each additional animal, and AFCD states a minimum of three working days to process it. Apply before you commit to a flight date you cannot move.
Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service issues the official export health certificate for all live animal exports. For Hong Kong, it must be in AFCD’s required format and issued within 14 days of travel. Book the AQS appointment in advance.
No routine quarantine for Group 1 country pets with compliant documentation. AFCD inspects at HKG on arrival. With correct paperwork, your pet is released the same day.
4-8 weeks if Japan is Group 1 and your pet’s vaccination is in the required window. The Special Permit takes a minimum of three working days, so it is rarely the constraint. What sets the timeline is confirming your pet’s exact vaccination and testing conditions with AFCD before you book.
Airline guides
Cathay Pacific
ANA
JAL
Hong Kong Express
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
IATA· International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations