Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
Moving a pet from Japan to the UK is far simpler than the reverse journey. Japan is on the UK’s approved list, so no titre test is required. The core requirements are the standard UK import set: microchip, rabies vaccination, the 21-day wait, an endorsed health certificate, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. Japan’s AQS handles the export inspection. JAL and ANA offer direct cargo to Heathrow. Allow 6-10 weeks.
Step by step
The Japan to United Kingdom process
1
Verify now.
Confirm microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination and 21-day wait is complete
Responsible: Vet
2
4-6 weeks ahead.
Book cargo space on Japan to UK route
Responsible: Owner or agent
3
Close to travel, within the UK-required window.
AQS export inspection and health certificate
Responsible: Japan AQS
4
24 to 120 hours before scheduled arrival in Great Britain.
For dogs: tapeworm treatment within the required window
Responsible: Vet in Japan
5
On travel date. Direct Tokyo-Heathrow is around 12-14 hours.
Travel to UK as cargo
Responsible: Airline cargo
6
On arrival. Pet released after clearance.
APHA Border Inspection Post at Heathrow. Documents and microchip verified.
Responsible: APHA
Checklist
United Kingdom: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course before entering Great Britain.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Japan is on the UK's list of approved countries.
Quarantine
Not required with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine up to 120 days for non-compliant arrivals.
Import permit
No import permit. The endorsed health certificate (or AHC equivalent) serves as the entry document.
Health certificate
Endorsed health certificate within 10 days of travel. For dogs, tapeworm treatment recorded 24-120 hours before arrival in Great Britain.
Leaving Japan
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
Export inspection certificate from AQS. No separate export permit fee.
Health certificate
Export health certificate from a Japan Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) inspection, in the format required for UK entry.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: JPY 200,000 to JPY 500,000 from Tokyo to Heathrow depending on crate size
2
AQS export inspection and health certificate: JPY 5,000 to JPY 20,000
3
Tapeworm treatment (dogs): JPY 3,000 to JPY 10,000
4
Pet transport agent fee: JPY 80,000 to JPY 250,000
5
IATA-compliant travel crate: JPY 10,000 to JPY 50,000
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Tapeworm treatment for dogs has a strict 24 to 120 hour window before arrival in Great Britain. Calculate from your scheduled UK arrival time. Cats and ferrets do not need it.
⚠ Japan's AQS export inspection is required before departure. Coordinate the timing with AQS and your airline.
⚠ Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination, and at least 21 days must have passed since the primary course.
⚠ Great Britain bans Pit Bull Terrier types, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro. The Japanese Tosa is notable here as a Japanese breed that cannot be imported to GB.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Japan Airlines
Direct Tokyo to Heathrow cargo pet service. Primary carrier.
Cargo Only
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Tokyo to Heathrow. Cargo pet service, well-regarded for handling.
Cargo Only
British Airways
Tokyo to Heathrow direct. Pets via IAG Cargo.
Cargo Only
Why Japan to UK is simpler than UK to Japan
The UK-to-Japan route requires two vaccinations, a titre test, and a 180-day wait. The Japan-to-UK route requires none of those. The UK classifies Japan as a listed (approved) country, so pets from Japan enter Great Britain with standard documentation and no quarantine.
This asymmetry is common in pet transport: Japan protects its rabies-free status with a strict inbound process, while the UK trusts Japan as an approved origin. Provided your microchip, vaccination, health certificate, and tapeworm treatment (for dogs) are in order, your pet clears the Heathrow inspection and goes home with you.
AQS export inspection and tapeworm timing
Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) carries out the export inspection and issues the export health certificate. Coordinate the timing with AQS and your airline, as the certificate must fall within the UK-required window before travel.
For dogs, the tapeworm treatment must be administered between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain. On a direct Tokyo to Heathrow flight (around 12-14 hours), the treatment is typically given 1-3 days before departure. Have the vet record the exact date and time. Cats and ferrets are exempt.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Japan is on the UK’s list of approved countries, so pets from Japan do not require a titre test for Great Britain entry. The standard requirements apply: microchip (implanted before vaccination), a current rabies vaccination (21-day wait complete), an endorsed health certificate, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. This makes Japan to UK much simpler than the reverse direction.
No, not with correct documentation. Provided your microchip, rabies vaccination, endorsed health certificate, and tapeworm treatment (for dogs) are all in order, your pet is released at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre after the APHA inspection. Penalty quarantine only applies to non-compliant arrivals, such as incorrect documentation or mistimed tapeworm treatment.
Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) carries out an export inspection and issues the export health certificate for your pet. This is a standard part of exporting a pet from Japan. Coordinate the timing with AQS and your airline so the certificate falls within the UK-required window before travel. Your pet transport agent can help arrange the AQS inspection.
No. Tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment is required for dogs only. Cats and ferrets are exempt. Your cat needs a microchip (implanted before vaccination), a current rabies vaccination, and an endorsed health certificate, but no tapeworm treatment and a minimal process at the UK border.