Japan has one of the most demanding pet import systems in the world. Thailand is classified as a non-designated country under Japan’s AQS (Animal Quarantine Service) rules, which means the full 180-day protocol applies. From start to finish, this route takes a minimum of 36-42 weeks.
There are no shortcuts. The 180-day waiting period after the titre test blood draw is fixed by law. Missing a step or doing them out of sequence means restarting the relevant section. Many owners miss travel dates because of preparation errors.
The most important thing to understand: microchip must be first. Before any vaccination. Before anything.
Documents Required for This Route
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | Required. AQS-specified health certificate, issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, confirming the full vaccination and titre test history. |
| Microchip record | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be the very first step. Implanted before any vaccinations. If vaccinated before microchipping, the vaccination does not count for AQS purposes. |
| Rabies vaccination record | Two rabies vaccinations required. Primary vaccination after microchip implantation, then a second (booster) vaccination at least 30 days later. Both vaccinations must be documented with batch numbers. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. Blood draw for rabies antibody test at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Test must be conducted at an AQS-approved laboratory. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/ml (FAVN or neutralisation method). AQS-approved labs in Thailand are limited -- the KSVS laboratory in South Korea is commonly used. |
| Import permit | Not required in advance. Governed by the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control (Japan). AQS advance notification required 40 days before travel. |
| Export permit (Thailand) | DLD (Department of Livestock Development) export permit required. Apply to the DLD before travel. |
| Export health certificate | DLD official veterinary health certificate, issued within 7 days of departure. Endorsed by DLD. Required in both English and Thai. |
How the Process Works
Japan: Entry Requirements for Pets
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be the very first step. Implanted before any vaccinations. If vaccinated before microchipping, the vaccination does not count for AQS purposes. |
| Rabies vaccination | Two rabies vaccinations required. Primary vaccination after microchip implantation, then a second (booster) vaccination at least 30 days later. Both vaccinations must be documented with batch numbers. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. Blood draw for rabies antibody test at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Test must be conducted at an AQS-approved laboratory. Minimum result: 0.5 IU/ml (FAVN or neutralisation method). AQS-approved labs in Thailand are limited -- the KSVS laboratory in South Korea is commonly used. |
| Quarantine | Mandatory quarantine at an AQS facility on arrival in Japan. Minimum 12 hours for advance-notified, compliant pets from non-designated countries. In practice, expect 2-7 days. Non-compliant pets face extended quarantine of up to 180 days. |
| Import permit | Not required in advance. Governed by the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control (Japan). AQS advance notification required 40 days before travel. |
| Health certificate | Required. AQS-specified health certificate, issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, confirming the full vaccination and titre test history. |
Leaving Thailand: Export Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | DLD (Department of Livestock Development) export permit required. Apply to the DLD before travel. |
| Health certificate | DLD official veterinary health certificate, issued within 7 days of departure. Endorsed by DLD. Required in both English and Thai. |
What This Route Typically Costs
| # | Cost factor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Airline cargo fees (BKK-NRT or BKK-KIX) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire) |
| 3 | Veterinary fees: two rabies vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate |
| 4 | Titre test at AQS-approved laboratory (may include sending blood to KSVS South Korea) |
| 5 | AQS quarantine facility fees on arrival (owner-paid) |
| 6 | DLD export permit and health certificate fees |
| 7 | Pet transport agent fee (very strongly recommended for Japan AQS routes) |
Critical Points — Read Before You Book
The AQS protocol step by step
Japan’s AQS system is built on a specific sequence of steps, each with mandatory time intervals:
Microchip implantation must come first. Then a primary rabies vaccination, followed by a second vaccination at least 30 days later. Then, at least 30 days after the second vaccination, a blood sample is drawn for the rabies antibody titre test.
The blood sample must go to an AQS-approved laboratory. In Thailand, approved lab options are limited. The KSVS laboratory in South Korea is the most commonly used by pet owners in the region. Your vet will likely need to arrange an international blood sample shipment.
After a satisfactory titre test result (minimum 0.5 IU/ml), a mandatory 180-day waiting period begins from the blood draw date – not the date the result arrives. This is non-negotiable and cannot be reduced under any circumstances, including veterinary opinion, owner hardship, or other routes.
AQS advance notification and arrival quarantine
At least 40 days before your pet arrives in Japan, you must submit an advance notification to the relevant AQS office (at NRT, HND, or KIX depending on your arrival airport). This is a formal notification that includes your pet’s microchip number, vaccination history, titre test result, flight details, and health certificate information.
On arrival, AQS will inspect your pet at the quarantine facility. For pets from non-designated countries with all documentation in order, the minimum hold is 12 hours. In practice, most pets from non-designated countries are held for 2-7 days. Non-compliant pets or those with incomplete documentation face a hold of up to 180 days.
Thai Airways, ANA, and JAL all operate BKK-NRT routes and handle pet cargo. Thai Airways is the most direct option. Work with an IPATA-registered agent who specialises in AQS – the notification forms and health certificate requirements are specific and errors are costly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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