In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Singapore to Japan
typically takes around 36-42 weeks.
Expect 7 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Sorry, your enquiry could not be sent. Please try again or email us directly.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged.
How we source our data →
Overview
Moving a dog or cat from Singapore to Japan is very doable with the right preparation. Give yourself close to 36-42 weeks, as several stages run on fixed clocks that no agent can shorten. Your pet will spend 7 days in quarantine after landing.
A rabies titre test is part of the process, and its waiting period drives the whole timeline. The full checklist, requirements and airline options are set out below.
Step by step
The Singapore to Japan process
1
Week 0. Non-negotiable first step.
STEP 1: Microchip (ISO 11784/11785), before any vaccination
Responsible: Singapore vet
2
After microchip. Record exact date.
STEP 2: First rabies vaccination
Responsible: Singapore vet
3
Mandatory.
STEP 3: Wait 30 days
Responsible: N/A
4
Day 30+.
STEP 4: Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: Singapore vet
5
Mandatory before blood draw.
STEP 5: Wait 30 days
Responsible: N/A
6
Day 60+. 180-day clock starts from blood draw date.
STEP 6: FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory
Responsible: Singapore vet + AQS-approved lab
7
Cannot be shortened.
STEP 7: 180-day wait from blood draw date
Responsible: N/A
8
2+ weeks before departure. Can be done during waiting period.
STEP 8: Apply for AVS Export Licence
Responsible: You or agent via CITES e-Licence
9
During the 180-day wait period.
STEP 9: Submit AQS advance notification (40+ days before arrival)
Responsible: You or agent
10
Once waiting period complete.
STEP 10: Book Singapore Airlines or ANA Cargo SIN-NRT
Responsible: You or agent
11
Within 7 days of Singapore departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival.
STEP 11: AVS-endorsed MAFF health certificate
Responsible: AVS-accredited vet + AVS
12
Present all originals.
STEP 12: Arrive Japan. AQS inspection and quarantine.
Responsible: AQS Japan
Checklist
Japan: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before any rabies vaccination. Sequence is mandatory.
Rabies vaccination
Two vaccinations required. Both after microchip. At least 30 days apart. At least 30 days after second vaccination before titre test.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN at AQS-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day mandatory wait from blood draw date. Singapore is non-designated for AQS.
Quarantine
Minimum 12 hours on arrival. 2-7 days in practice for non-designated country arrivals.
Import permit
Advance AQS notification at least 40 days before arrival. No separate import permit.
Health certificate
MAFF-format certificate endorsed by AVS. Within 7 days of Singapore departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival.
Official health certificate by AVS-accredited vet, endorsed by AVS. In MAFF format for Japan. Within 7 days of departure.
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Singapore Airlines or ANA Cargo fees SIN-NRT
2
IATA-compliant crate
3
FAVN titre test at AQS-approved laboratory
4
AVS Export Licence fee
5
AVS-endorsed MAFF health certificate fees
6
AQS quarantine fees on arrival
7
Agent fee (strongly recommended for Japan complexity)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Microchip before first vaccination is absolute. Any vaccination given before the chip = restart entire sequence.
⚠ 180-day wait from blood draw date. Count carefully.
⚠ AQS advance notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Hard deadline.
⚠ MAFF health certificate dual window: within 7 days of SG departure AND within 10 days of Japan arrival. Both must be met.
⚠ Singapore is non-designated for AQS. Full 180-day protocol applies.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Singapore Airlines
Direct SIN-NRT/HND. Singapore Airlines Cargo. National carrier with strong AVS export familiarity at Changi. Primary recommendation.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Direct SIN-NRT/HND. ANA Cargo. Japanese national carrier with deep AQS inspection familiarity at Tokyo airports.
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Direct SIN-NRT. JAL Cargo. AQS-experienced at Tokyo arrival.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via Hong Kong HKG to NRT. Longer routing. Good animal handling.
Cargo Only
Emirates
Via Dubai DXB to NRT. Summer heat restrictions may apply.
Cargo Only
What Japan requires
Entry to Japan is tightly controlled, and officials verify each requirement in turn. Treat it as a sequence where every step gates the next.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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
Allow 36-42 weeks. Two vaccinations, a titre test (blood drawn 30 days after the second vaccination), the 180-day wait from blood draw, 40 days advance AQS notification, AVS export licence, and the MAFF health certificate.
No. Singapore is non-designated, meaning the full 180-day protocol applies: microchip first, two vaccinations, FAVN titre test, 180-day wait, 40-day advance notification, and MAFF health certificate.
Verify the current AQS-approved laboratory list at aqs.maff.go.jp before booking. Singapore may have AVS-accredited labs that also hold AQS approval, confirm this with your vet or agent.
Yes. AQS inspects and quarantines all pets from non-designated countries on arrival. Minimum 12 hours, typically 2-7 days. Quarantine fees are charged per day at the AQS facility.
Yes. Singapore requires an AVS Export Licence for all live animal exports. Apply via the CITES e-Licence System at nparks.gov.sg/avs at least 2 weeks before departure. This is separate from all Japanese AQS requirements.
Airline guides
Singapore Airlines
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Cathay Pacific
Emirates
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.