Pet Transport Thailand to Japan: 2026 AQS Compliance Guide

The journey from Thailand to Japan for a pet is straightforward to plan once the key dates are mapped out. This route takes some organising, and roughly 32-40 weeks of preparation …

32-40 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

32-40 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

High

Airlines

3 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Thailand to Japan typically takes around 32-40 weeks.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

At least 7 months before Japan travel. Allow 2-4 weeks for DLD permit.

DLD export permit application. ISO microchip confirmed. First rabies vaccination (dog at least 91 days old).

Responsible: Owner and DLD vet

30+ days after first vaccination.

Second rabies vaccination. Minimum 30 days after the first.

Responsible: DLD vet

30+ days after second vaccination.

Blood draw for FAVN titre test at MAFF-approved laboratory. At least 30 days after second vaccination. 180-day AQS wait starts from this date.

Responsible: DLD vet and MAFF-approved laboratory

After titre result. Notification 40+ days before travel.

Receive FAVN result (0.5 IU/ml or above). Book cargo: BKK to NRT. File AQS advance notification at least 40 days before arrival.

Responsible: Owner

Shortly before departure (within AQS-specified window).

DLD-endorsed health certificate in AQS format issued before travel.

Responsible: DLD vet

After 180 days from blood draw date.

Travel BKK to NRT or KIX. AQS inspection on arrival (approximately 12 hours if compliant).

Responsible: Airline and AQS

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination.

Rabies titre test

FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the second vaccination. The 180-day AQS wait begins from this blood draw date. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.

Health certificate

Official health certificate in AQS format, DLD-endorsed, presented on arrival.

Export permit

DLD export permit required. Apply through the local DLD office. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

Health certificate

Health certificate from a Thai veterinarian endorsed by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD). Must comply with Japan AQS format.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Thailand to Japan move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways operates Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX). Thai Airways Cargo accepts pets in the hold. A direct option for the Thailand to Japan sector.

Cargo Only

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

ANA operates BKK to NRT with cargo services. ANA Cargo handles live animals with strong infrastructure at Narita. A reliable carrier for this routing.

Cargo Only

Japan Airlines (JAL)

JAL operates Bangkok to Narita and Kansai. Japan Airlines Cargo accepts live animals. Confirm crate size and live animal availability for your specific flight date.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

DLD export permit and health certificate: THB 2,000-5,000

FAVN titre test at MAFF-approved laboratory: USD 100-200

Air cargo BKK to NRT: USD 900-2,500 depending on crate size

AQS inspection fee on arrival: JPY 4,900 per animal (approximately THB 1,200)

Total typical range: THB 50,000-120,000 (approximately USD 1,400-3,300)

Critical points

The 180-day wait from blood draw is non-negotiable. Build your Japan arrival date around this fixed point.

DLD processing takes 2-4 weeks. Start the export permit application well before you need the health certificate.

File the 40-day AQS advance notification before booking is complete. Missing this step means your pet cannot be cleared on arrival.

Thailand is non-designated. The full two-vaccination plus FAVN sequence applies from the beginning, regardless of prior vaccination history.

The rules for bringing a pet into Japan

Japan has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.

How to keep this move on track

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Japan AQS requires the specific two-vaccination sequence described in the AQS protocol for non-designated regions. Previous vaccinations not done within this sequence do not count. Even a dog with an up-to-date rabies history must restart with the AQS-compliant two-vaccination series before the FAVN titre test.

Allow 7 to 9 months from the start of the AQS vaccination sequence. The minimum is just over 7 months: first vaccination, 30 days, second vaccination, 30 days, blood draw, 180 days. DLD processing, titre test turnaround, and flight booking add additional weeks.

AQS requires the DLD export permit and the DLD-endorsed health certificate in AQS format. The health certificate must confirm the microchip number, vaccination history (dates and batch numbers of both vaccinations), FAVN titre test result and blood draw date, and the pet’s fitness to travel. All documents must be originals.

Narita (NRT) is the primary port of entry for cargo pets arriving in Japan. Osaka Kansai (KIX) and Chubu (NGO) also have AQS facilities. All three have designated animal inspection areas. File your advance notification for whichever port your cargo flight uses.

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Airline guides

Thai Airways
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Japan Airlines (JAL)

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport Thailand to Japan: 2026 AQS Compliance Guide

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

The rules for bringing a pet into Japan

How to keep this move on track

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote