Pet Transport Japan to UK: 2026 Field Guide
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Getting a pet from Japan to United Kingdom is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. This is a middle of the road route, and about 6-10 weeks of preparation usually covers it. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine entirely.
A rabies titre test is not needed for this route. Start with the step by step process below and build your plan from there.
The Japan to United Kingdom process
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Japan AQS
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: Airline cargo
Responsible: APHA
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 Great Britain pet health certificate 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. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | Export inspection certificate from AQS. No separate export permit fee. |
| Health certificate | Great Britain pet health certificate, issued by an official vet in Japan within 10 days of travel. This is the instrument GOV.UK names for Japan, and it is not the same as an Animal Health Certificate, which is a GB-issued document your vet at home cannot provide. Source: GOV.UK, bring-pet-to-great-britain, read 2026-09-02. |
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 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
The rules for bringing a pet into United Kingdom
How to keep this move on track
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.
Common questions
Japan to United Kingdom?
Sources
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