Taking your dog or cat from South Korea to Japan comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Around 28-36 weeks is sensible here, with a few steps that must happen in a strict order.
A rabies …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from South Korea to Japan
typically takes around 28-36 weeks.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The South Korea to Japan import process
01
Before any vaccination
ISO microchip implanted. Must pre-date all vaccinations.
Responsible: Vet
02
At least 30 days before second vaccination
First rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
03
At least 30 days after first; at least 30 days before blood draw
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
04
At least 30 days after second vaccination
FAVN titre test blood draw at AQS-designated lab
Responsible: Vet and AQS-designated lab
05
2-4 weeks for results
Receive passing titre result (0.5 IU/ml or above)
Responsible: AQS-designated lab
06
Six calendar months from the blood draw date (not result date)
180-day wait from date of passing blood draw
Responsible: Owner
07
40 days before planned arrival in Japan
Submit advance notification to AQS at least 40 days before arrival
Responsible: Owner or agent
08
Within 10 days of departure
IPPC vet issues health certificate in AQS format
Responsible: IPPC vet
09
On travel day
Arrive at AQS-designated airport in Japan
Responsible: Owner
Requirements
Japan entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip; must pre-date all vaccinations
Rabies vaccination
Two rabies vaccinations required: first vaccination, then second at least 30 days after first and at least 30 days before blood draw
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN titre test at 0.5 IU/ml at AQS (Animal Quarantine Service)-designated lab. 180-day wait from successful blood draw date before Japan entry.
Quarantine
Potential quarantine at designated AQS facility if any step is missed or paperwork is deficient. Minimum 12 hours for compliant pets at designated inspection airport.
Import permit
Advance import notification to AQS required at least 40 days before arrival
Health certificate
IPPC-endorsed certificate; must include all vaccination and titre test details in AQS-required format
Leaving South Korea
Export requirements
Export permit
IPPC export endorsement required
Health certificate
IPPC-registered vet health certificate
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test South Korea (AQS-designated lab): USD 200-400
IPPC health certificate: KRW 50,000-150,000
Air cargo ICN to NRT/HND: USD 400-1,000 depending on pet size
Advance AQS notification processing: nominal or no fee
Professional relocation agent: USD 600-1,500 (strongly recommended)
Possible quarantine at AQS facility if steps missed: JPY 3,000-10,000 per day
Critical points
The 180-day wait begins from the date of the successful blood draw, not from the date the result is received. This is a critical distinction.
Two rabies vaccinations are required, with specific intervals between them. A single vaccination is not sufficient for Japan AQS entry from South Korea.
Advance notification to AQS must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Late notification means your pet cannot enter Japan on your planned date.
If any step in the sequence is missed or documentation is deficient, your pet will be quarantined at the AQS facility at your expense, potentially for months.
The AQS-designated lab list is separate from EU-approved lab lists. Confirm AQS designation before submitting blood.
This is one of the most demanding pet import routes in the world. Professional agent support is not optional; it is essential.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Korean Air
ICN to NRT, HND and KIX. In-cabin for small pets on short-haul Japan routes; cargo for larger dogs.
Mixed
Asiana Airlines
ICN to NRT, HND and KIX. In-cabin and cargo options for Japan routes.
Mixed
Japan Airlines (JAL)
NRT and HND to ICN direct. In-cabin for qualifying small pets; cargo for larger animals.
Mixed
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
NRT and HND to ICN. In-cabin and cargo options.
Mixed
Air Busan and Jeju Air
ICN to Japanese airports. Budget carriers; cargo only for pets. Less established handling.
Cargo Only
Meeting Japan's entry requirements
The requirements for Japan are thorough rather than difficult. Work through them methodically and confirm anything you are unsure about with the official source.
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 about this route
Japan’s AQS counts the waiting period from the date the blood sample was taken, not from when the result was processed. The AQS is measuring time from the moment of biological sampling, not from the laboratory paperwork date. This is a frequent source of error: plan from blood draw date.
Your pet will not be permitted to enter Japan. It will be held at the AQS quarantine facility at your expense until the 180-day period has been completed, then released. This can result in months of facility fees and separation from your pet.
You can submit it yourself via the AQS online system (available in Japanese and English). However, given the complexity of the documentation required and the consequences of errors, professional agent support is strongly recommended for this process.
Yes, if it is small enough to meet the airline’s cabin pet requirements. Korean Air, Asiana, JAL and ANA all accept small in-cabin pets on the Seoul-Tokyo route. Larger dogs travel as cargo.
The minimum is approximately 28 to 36 weeks from starting the vaccination process to arrival in Japan. Starting the two-vaccination series, waiting 30 days between them, waiting 30 days for the blood draw, the 180-day wait from blood draw, plus the 40-day advance notification period means the total is always more than 7 months from scratch.
Airline guides
Korean Air
Asiana Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL)
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Air Busan and Jeju Air
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.