Pet Transport from UAE to Japan: AQS Two-Vaccination and 180-Day Wait

Japan AQS requires two separate rabies vaccinations after microchip implantation for pets from non-designated countries including the UAE. The first vaccination must be given when the pet is at least 91 days old (approximately 3 months), and both must be given after the microchip is confirmed working. The sequence: microchip implanted and confirmed; first vaccination (pet at least 91 days old); second vaccination; blood draw for titre test at least 30 days after the second vaccination; 180-day wait from the blood draw date. Any deviation from this sequence, including giving the first vaccination before confirming the microchip reads correctly, invalidates that vaccination for AQS purposes. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.

The 40-day advance notification to AQS is a separate requirement from the vaccination sequence. Submit the notification to the AQS office at the intended arrival airport (by fax or mail) at least 40 days before arrival. This is a strict requirement; late notification is one of the most common causes of refused entry or delays for pets travelling to Japan. Submit as soon as your travel plans are confirmed, even if the 180-day wait has not yet elapsed.

The UAE export process for live animals requires a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant municipal authority (Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority for Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality for Dubai, or Sharjah Municipality for Sharjah), and then endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). The health certificate must be in Japan AQS-required format, which differs from EU AHC format. Allow 48 hours for the MOCCAE endorsement once the municipal endorsement is in place.

The health certificate must be issued within 14 days of the Japan arrival date. Schedule the vet appointment and endorsement appointments to fall within this window. Emirates SkyCargo from Dubai (DXB) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) is the most direct routing, though ANA and JAL also operate this route. Etihad Cargo from Abu Dhabi (AUH) is an option for owners based in the capital.

For UAE-based owners considering both Japan and South Korea as destinations, the timeline difference is significant. UAE-to-Japan: two vaccinations after microchip, titre test, mandatory 180-day wait from blood draw, 40-day AQS notification. Total preparation: 32-40 weeks. UAE-to-South Korea: titre test required (QIAS, as the UAE is classified as rabies-endemic), 5-10 day quarantine at Incheon on arrival, no pre-travel 180-day wait. Total preparation: approximately 12-20 weeks.

South Korea’s QIAS process does not impose a mandatory waiting period before arrival. The quarantine on arrival at Incheon (5-10 days) replaces the long pre-travel wait. For families whose relocation timeline is compressed, or who are choosing between Japan and Korea as destinations, this difference is worth factoring into the decision. Japan’s process is approximately 8-10 months longer in total preparation time than South Korea’s.