Relocating a pet from Philippines to Japan follows a clear path once you understand what Japan asks for. Plan for approximately 36-42 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the schedule. Plan for 2 days of quarantine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Philippines to Japan
typically takes around 36-42 weeks.
Expect 2 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 Philippines to Japan pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip (if not already done)
Responsible: BAI-accredited veterinarian
First step. Must precede all vaccinations. Vaccinations given before microchipping do not count for AQS.
2
First rabies vaccination
Responsible: BAI-accredited veterinarian
After microchip. Allow 30 days minimum before second vaccination.
3
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: BAI-accredited veterinarian
At least 30 days after the first. Allow 30 days before titre test blood draw.
4
FAVN titre test blood draw at a MAFF-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after the second vaccination. The 180-day countdown starts from this date. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
5
Submit advance notification to the destination AQS station in Japan
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
At least 40 days before planned arrival in Japan.
6
Book IATA-compliant cargo flight from Manila to Japan
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Once the 180-day wait is confirmed to end before your travel date.
7
Obtain BAI-endorsed MAFF-format health certificate
Responsible: BAI-authorised official veterinarian + BAL
Within 10 days of export date. BAI endorsement takes 5-7 working days -- book in advance.
8
Travel day: pet travels as cargo. AQS inspection at Narita, Haneda, or Osaka.
Responsible: You + cargo agent
Arrive at cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure. AQS inspection takes 12 hours to 2 days.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Japan
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. Any vaccination administered before microchipping does not count toward the AQS protocol.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Two vaccinations are needed. First: at least 91 days before export. Second: at least 30 days after the first. Blood for titre test must be drawn at least 30 days after the second vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. The 180-day mandatory wait period begins from the blood draw date.
Quarantine
AQS inspection at the destination airport quarantine station in Japan. If documentation is complete and correct, inspection is typically 12 hours to 2 days. Deficient documentation results in extended quarantine up to 180 days at the owner's expense.
Import permit
No standard import permit required. However, advance notification to the destination AQS station in Japan is mandatory at least 40 days before arrival.
Health certificate
Required. MAFF-format health certificate issued within 10 days of export by a BAI-authorised official veterinarian, endorsed by BAI.
Export permit (Philippines)
Not required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (varies by carrier, routing, pet weight, and crate dimensions)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: microchip, two vaccinations, health certificate
FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory
BAI endorsement fee
AQS inspection fees at Japanese airport
Extended AQS quarantine costs if documentation is deficient
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points to read before you book
The Philippines is NOT on Japan's designated country list. The full AQS 180-day protocol applies with no shortcuts.
The 180-day wait begins from the titre test blood draw date -- not when results are received.
The 40-day advance AQS notification is a hard deadline. Missing it triggers extended quarantine.
Microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. Out-of-sequence documentation restarts the entire process.
Always confirm current AQS requirements with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
PHILIPPINE
Philippine Airlines
Cargo: Philippine Airlines operates flights from Manila (MNL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). Pet cargo can be arranged through PAL Cargo. Familiarity with AQS requirements on Japan routes.
Cargo Only
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines
Cargo: JAL Cargo handles pet transport from Manila to Tokyo. Experienced with AQS documentation requirements. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
ANA
ANA
Cargo: ANA Cargo operates Manila-Tokyo routes. Temperature-controlled hold. ANA staff familiar with MAFF health certificate requirements.
Cargo Only
SINGAPORE
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Singapore Airlines Cargo via Singapore (SIN). Short transit at SIN before continuing to Tokyo. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Cathay Pacific Cargo via Hong Kong (HKG) to Tokyo. Temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Japan import rules, explained
Japan takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.
Practical tips for this move
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.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about Philippines to Japan pet transport
A minimum of 36 weeks from starting the process to your travel date. This breaks down as: first vaccination (at least 30-day wait), second vaccination (at least 30-day wait), titre test blood draw (2-4 weeks for results), 180-day mandatory wait from blood draw date, then health certificate timing. Most families allow 40 weeks to have buffer in the schedule.
Yes. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) operates a laboratory, and MAFF lists approved overseas laboratories on its website. Some Philippine facilities process samples locally; others ship to MAFF-approved labs elsewhere. Confirm the laboratory’s MAFF approval status before submitting the sample – approval lists are updated periodically.
A result below 0.5 IU/ml means the titre test has failed. Your pet must be revaccinated and retested. The 180-day countdown restarts from the new blood draw date. There is no partial credit for a result that was close to the threshold. This is why starting early – and giving the vaccination protocol time to build immunity – is important.
Yes. The 40-day advance notification to the AQS station is a separate step from the 180-day wait. You can submit the notification while the 180-day wait is still running, as long as the wait ends before the planned arrival date. Your cargo flight must obviously be scheduled for after the wait ends.
This route is technically possible without an agent, but both the BAI endorsement process in the Philippines and Japan’s AQS protocol have multiple failure points where a documentation error causes a 180-day setback. Using an IPATA-registered agent with Japan experience is strongly recommended. Their knowledge of current MAFF and BAI requirements significantly reduces risk.
Airline guides
Philippine Airlines
Japan Airlines
ANA
Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.