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Pet Transport Japan to USA: 2026 Guide

Bringing your dog or cat from Japan to United States takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Around 4-8 weeks is typical, with a straightforward sequence to …

4-8 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
4-8 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
Medium
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipRequired for all dogs. ISO 11784/11785 …
Rabies vaccinationDogs: rabies vaccination required, …
Import permitNo formal import permit. The CDC Dog …
Health certificateUSDA-endorsed health certificate …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Japan to United States typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
Start of planning. Both must be in place before the health certificate is issued.
Confirm your dog's microchip is ISO-standard and that the rabies vaccination is current.

Responsible: Vet

2
Before travel. The form can be completed on the day of travel but doing it in advance is recommended.
Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (if travelling with a dog). This is mandatory regardless of country of origin.

Responsible: Owner

3
Within 10 days of travel.
Japanese official vet issues health certificate meeting USDA requirements. Endorsed by the Japanese authority.

Responsible: MAFF-approved vet in Japan

4
At least 4-8 weeks before travel. Earlier for peak dates.
Book cargo space on JAL, ANA, American Airlines or Delta. Confirm route and crate requirements.

Responsible: Owner or agent

5
On travel date. Allow extra time for CDC inspection at arrival.
Travel to the USA. CDC inspection at arrival airport. Present health certificate and CDC form for dogs.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
Required for all dogs. ISO 11784/11785 standard strongly recommended. If the chip is not ISO-standard, the owner must bring a compatible reader. CDC inspection at entry will check the chip.
Rabies vaccination
Dogs: rabies vaccination required, administered by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccine must be US-licensed or equivalent. Cats have no federal rabies vaccination requirement for US entry, though individual states may differ.
Import permit
No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form is the registration mechanism for dogs. Cats have no federal entry documentation requirement beyond airline requirements.
Health certificate
USDA-endorsed health certificate required for dogs. A Japanese official veterinarian issues the certificate, which is then endorsed by the relevant Japanese authority. Present at CDC inspection on arrival.
Export permit
No Japanese export permit required for companion cats and dogs travelling to the USA.
Health certificate
Japanese official veterinarian issues a health certificate meeting USDA requirements. The certificate is then endorsed by the Japanese government authority (MAFF or equivalent). Covers microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and general health status.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Japan Airlines (JAL)
Pets travel as checked baggage in the hold on international JAL flights. No cabin pets on international routes. Direct Tokyo Narita to USA routes (LAX, JFK, ORD, SFO, SEA, IAD). Book cargo space well in advance on popular routes.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Similar to JAL. Pets as checked baggage in the hold on international flights. Tokyo Narita hub. Direct services to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and other US cities.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
American Airlines Cargo accepts pets on trans-Pacific routes. Code-share routes with JAL (oneworld partners) may allow coordination. Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth hubs.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta Cargo on trans-Pacific routes. Seattle, Los Angeles and other US hubs connect from Tokyo. Confirm cargo availability for your specific route and dates.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo (Japan to USA): USD 700 to USD 2,200 depending on pet size and route
IATA-compliant travel crate (if needed): USD 80 to USD 350
Japanese official veterinary health certificate (vet + government endorsement): JPY 20,000 to JPY 60,000 (approx USD 140 to USD 420)
CDC Dog Import Form: no fee
Total typical range: USD 1,000 to USD 3,200

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs entering the USA from any country, including Japan. Complete it before travel. Undocumented dogs may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.

Cats have no federal US entry requirements, but check airline policies as these vary by carrier and route.

Japan Airlines and ANA do not allow pets in the cabin on international flights. All pets travel in the hold as checked baggage.

United Airlines PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. Confirm current availability before planning around United.

Some US states impose additional requirements (Hawaii has its own strict quarantine system for all incoming pets). Confirm your final destination state's requirements separately.

Meeting United States's entry requirements

Getting a pet into United States is a middle of the road process. The rules are well defined, so most of the work is simply staying on schedule.

Advice worth following

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No, there is no routine quarantine for dogs entering the USA from Japan with correct documentation. You need a completed CDC Dog Import Form, a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a Japanese official vet, and a current rabies vaccination. CDC inspection at the arrival airport is a formality for well-documented pets from Japan. Hawaii is the exception: it has its own quarantine programme that applies to all incoming pets.
There are no federal documentation requirements for cats entering the USA from Japan. Individual US states may impose their own rules, so check your destination state. Airlines have their own health certificate requirements, so confirm these with your carrier. Hawaii is again the exception and applies strict quarantine rules to cats as well as dogs.
Japan Airlines and ANA do not allow pets in the passenger cabin on international flights. All pets travel as checked baggage in the hold. American Airlines and Delta accept small pets in the cabin on some international routes, but policies vary by route. Confirm directly with the airline at the time of booking for your specific Japan to USA flight.
The CDC Dog Import Form is an online registration that all dog owners must complete before bringing a dog into the United States from any country. It links the dog’s microchip number to the travel record and confirms vaccination status. There is no fee. Complete it before travel; do not leave it until the day of travel. The form applies to dogs of all breeds and ages, including puppies.
The preparation time is 4-8 weeks from a standing start, assuming your pet’s vaccinations are current. The actual flight is typically 10-13 hours direct from Tokyo to the US West Coast, longer to East Coast destinations. Factor in CDC inspection time on arrival. Your pet travels in the hold, so they will spend time in the cargo area before being reunited with you after customs clearance.
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Airline guides
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • ANA (All Nippon Airways)
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
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