Moving a dog or cat from Portugal to Japan is very doable with the right preparation. Expect a long lead time of roughly 36-42 weeks; the waiting periods here cannot be rushed. Factor in 180 days of …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Portugal to Japan
typically takes around 36-42 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 Portugal to Japan import process
01
First step -- precedes all rabies vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip before vaccinations
Responsible: Your veterinarian
02
After microchip. Record in health booklet.
Primary rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
03
Per vet schedule. Must be given before titre test.
Booster rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
04
Blood drawn at least 30 days after second vaccination. 180-day wait starts from blood draw date.
FAVN titre test at MAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian + MAFF-approved laboratory
05
Do not book travel until this period is nearly complete.
180-day waiting period
Responsible: You (calendar management)
06
At least 40 days before intended arrival.
Submit advance import notification to Japan AQS
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
07
Within 10 days of departure.
Obtain MAFF-format health certificate endorsed by DGAV
Responsible: DGAV-authorised veterinarian + DGAV
08
3-4 weeks before departure.
Book cargo space; confirm MAFF documentation completeness
Responsible: You or pet transport agent
09
Allow up to 12 hours if all documentation is correct. Present all original documents.
Arrival at Japan AQS inspection
Responsible: You + Japan AQS
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.
Rabies vaccination
Two vaccinations required. Primary vaccination after microchip, then booster. Both must show valid titre test result.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after second vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater. 180-day wait begins from blood draw date.
Quarantine
Up to 12 hours at Japan AQS on arrival if all pre-conditions met. Up to 180 days facility quarantine if non-compliant.
Import permit
Advance import notification required at least 40 days before arrival to Japan Animal Quarantine Service.
Health certificate
Required. MAFF-format certificate endorsed by Portuguese DGAV.
Leaving Portugal
Export requirements
Export permit
Not required
Health certificate
Official health certificate required for export to Japan. Issued by a Portuguese DGAV (Directorate-General of Food and Veterinary Affairs) authorised veterinarian and endorsed by DGAV.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fee (Lisbon to Tokyo, two-leg journey -- typically EUR 900-2,800 depending on pet size)
Two titre tests if first result is insufficient
FAVN laboratory fee (EUR 80-180 per test)
DGAV health certificate and endorsement fee
Advance import notification (agent-managed)
IATA-approved crate meeting Japan AQS specifications
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points
The 180-day countdown is from the blood draw date -- not the result date. Missing this timing means facility quarantine in Japan at your expense.
Portugal has no direct flights to Japan. Your pet must connect, which adds documentation complexity. Confirm all flight details in the AQS pre-notification.
Use a specialist Japan-route pet agent. This route has zero tolerance for documentation errors.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
TAP Air Portugal
Portugal's national carrier. Indirect service to Japan via Lisbon (LIS) and connection -- TAP does not fly direct to Japan. Cargo available for pets. Small pets may travel in cabin on European sector. Connect with partner airlines for the Tokyo leg.
Cabin and Cargo
Japan Airlines (JAL)
No direct Lisbon-Japan service. JAL connections available via partner airlines. JAL Cargo is experienced with MAFF compliance on arrival at Narita or Haneda.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Cargo connection to Tokyo. Small pets in cabin on Lisbon-Frankfurt sector. Lufthansa Cargo for the Frankfurt-Japan leg. Brachycephalic restrictions apply.
Cabin and Cargo
Air France
Via Paris CDG. Air France Cargo handles pets. Small pets may travel in cabin Lisbon-Paris; cargo to Tokyo. Good connectivity from Lisbon.
Cabin and Cargo
Emirates
Via Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo handles all pets. Seasonal embargoes during Gulf summer. Brachycephalic restrictions apply year-round.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Via Singapore. Indirect from Lisbon but Singapore Airlines has a strong animal cargo reputation and good Japan connectivity. Confirm transit regulations.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
No direct Lisbon service. ANA Cargo connections available via European hubs. Strong MAFF familiarity at arrival end.
Cargo Only
Japan entry requirements at a glance
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.
Getting the details right
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.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Japan is one of very few countries that has remained free of rabies for decades. The 180-day waiting period after a valid titre test ensures that any animal entering the country has been confirmed rabies-antibody-positive well in advance of arrival. The system is designed to be foolproof, not convenient.
Your pet must be revaccinated and a new titre test drawn after another 30-day wait. The 180-day countdown only starts from a successful result. A failed test is a setback of several months – another reason to start preparations as early as possible.
TAP does not fly direct to Japan. Your pet would need to connect through a partner airline for the Japan sector. TAP’s cargo division can handle pets within their network. Contact TAP’s cargo department and your chosen Japan-leg carrier to arrange a through-booking.
Budget EUR 900-2,800 for cargo fees alone on a two-leg Lisbon-to-Tokyo routing, depending on your pet’s size and chosen carriers. Add laboratory fees, DGAV endorsement, agent fees, crate purchase, and the quarantine inspection fee at AQS. Total costs including preparation can reach EUR 3,000-5,000 for a medium-sized dog.
Strongly recommended. The combination of no direct service, MAFF’s zero-tolerance documentation standards, and the complexity of coordinating two-leg cargo booking and AQS pre-notification makes this a route where mistakes are costly. IPATA agents with Japan specialisation are worth every cent.
Airline guides
TAP Air Portugal
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Lufthansa
Air France
Emirates
Singapore Airlines
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.