Taking your dog or cat from Netherlands to Japan comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Give yourself close to 36-40 weeks, as several stages run on fixed clocks that no agent can shorten. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Netherlands to Japan
typically takes around 36-40 weeks.
Expect 180 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Netherlands to Japan import process
01
First step -- must precede all vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. Start the vaccination programme.
Primary rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Per your vet's schedule, ensuring the second dose is given before titre test.
Booster rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
04
At least 30 days after second vaccination. Send to MAFF-approved lab immediately.
Titre test blood draw (FAVN) at MAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
05
Countdown starts from the date blood was drawn for the successful titre test.
180-day waiting period begins
Responsible: You (calendar management)
06
At least 40 days before intended arrival date.
Submit advance import notification to Japan AQS
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
07
Within 10 days of departure. NVWA endorsement required.
Obtain MAFF-format health certificate from NVWA
Responsible: NVWA-authorised veterinarian + NVWA
08
3-4 weeks before departure.
Book KLM or JAL cargo space; confirm MAFF compliance
Responsible: You or pet transport agent
09
Expect up to 12 hours if all documentation is in order. Present originals of all documents.
Arrival at Japan AQS inspection
Responsible: You + Japan AQS officers
Requirements
Japan entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before any rabies vaccinations. The microchip number must match all documentation.
Rabies vaccination
Two vaccinations required. Primary vaccination after microchip, then booster. Each must show a valid antibody level at titre test.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN titre test at a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the second vaccination. 180-day waiting period after a valid titre test result before entry.
Quarantine
Up to 12 hours at Japan Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) on arrival if all conditions met in advance. Non-compliant animals face up to 180 days at a quarantine facility at owner's expense.
Import permit
Advanced import notification required. Submit to Japan Animal Quarantine Service (MAFF) at least 40 days before arrival.
Health certificate
Required. MAFF-format health certificate issued by NVWA-authorised veterinarian and endorsed by NVWA.
Leaving Netherlands
Export requirements
Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate required for travel to Japan. Issued by an NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) approved veterinarian and endorsed by NVWA.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fee (Amsterdam to Tokyo -- typically EUR 800-2,500 depending on pet size)
Two rabies titre tests (primary + potential re-test if first result is insufficient)
FAVN laboratory fee (EUR 80-180 per test)
NVWA health certificate endorsement fee
Advance import notification filing (recommended via agent)
IATA-approved crate (Japan AQS has strict crate specifications)
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended -- Japan is the most complex destination in the world)
Critical points
The 180-day countdown starts from the date blood was drawn for the successful titre test. If your test is taken too late, you will arrive before the 180 days are up and your pet faces up to 180 days in a Japanese quarantine facility at your expense.
All documentation must arrive in Japan before your pet. Japan AQS is strict. Missing a single document can result in your animal being held.
Use a specialist pet transport agent for this route. The complexity and stakes are too high to manage without expert help.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
KLM
Netherlands' national carrier. Small pets in cabin within Europe; cargo for the Amsterdam-Japan sector (Narita/Tokyo, Osaka). KLM Cargo has dedicated pet handling. Temperature-controlled pressurised hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Cargo only. JAL handles pets as manifested cargo. Direct Amsterdam (AMS) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) services. Experienced in MAFF compliance. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply seasonally.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Cargo only. ANA Cargo operates direct Europe-Japan routes. Strong reputation for animal welfare. Temperature-controlled hold. MAFF compliance documentation required in advance.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Cargo via Frankfurt (FRA) to Japan. Lufthansa Cargo handles pets. Indirect routing adds journey time but Lufthansa is a well-regarded cargo carrier. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cabin and Cargo
Air France
Cargo via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Tokyo. Air France Cargo handles pet transport. Temperature-controlled hold throughout. Brachycephalic restrictions in cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
Singapore Airlines
Cargo via Singapore (SIN). Indirect but reliable. Singapore Airlines has a strong animal welfare record. Transfer in Singapore: confirm AQS pre-notification includes correct flight details.
Cargo Only
What Japan requires
Getting a pet into Japan means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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 about this route
A minimum of 8-10 months. The 180-day waiting period after the titre test blood draw is fixed and cannot be shortened. Add the vaccination programme and titre test preparation before that, and the total timeline is substantial. Start as early as possible.
Your pet will be held at a Japan AQS quarantine facility for the remainder of the 180-day period. The cost of this quarantine is borne by you, the owner. AQS has no discretion to shorten or waive this. It is expensive and stressful for your animal.
Only MAFF-approved laboratories are accepted. Your Netherlands veterinarian should be able to advise on approved labs – the MAFF website also maintains a list. Do not use a non-approved laboratory, as the result will not be accepted.
It is strongly advised. Japan’s import process involves more documentation steps than almost any other destination, and a single error can result in your pet being held in quarantine. IPATA-registered agents who specialise in Japan have existing relationships with AQS and understand the documentation requirements precisely.
Japan AQS has facilities at Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Kansai, Nagoya Chubu, Fukuoka, and a few others. Narita (NRT) handles the highest volume of international pets. Confirm with your agent which arrival airport suits your destination.
Airline guides
KLM
Japan Airlines (JAL)
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Lufthansa
Air France
Singapore Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.