Pet Transport from UAE to Japan: AQS Two-Vaccination and 180-Day Wait
Getting a pet from United Arab Emirates to Japan is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Plan for approximately 32-40 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to Japan
typically takes around 32-40 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The United Arab Emirates to Japan import process
01
At least 40 days before intended arrival in Japan.
Submit AQS advance notification to the AQS office at your intended arrival airport in Japan.
Responsible: Owner or pet transport agent
02
Before any rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip. Confirm it reads correctly before proceeding.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
03
After microchip is confirmed implanted and reading correctly.
First rabies vaccination (pet must be at least 91 days old).
Responsible: Vet in UAE
04
As directed by vet and AQS requirements.
Second rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
05
At least 30 days after the second vaccination. The 180-day wait starts from this blood draw date.
FAVN titre test blood draw at an AQS-approved laboratory.
Responsible: Vet and AQS-approved laboratory
06
Approximately 6 calendar months. Cannot be shortened.
180-day wait from the blood draw date.
Responsible: Owner to track
07
Within 14 days of Japan arrival.
Obtain AQS-format health certificate, endorsed by municipal authority and MOCCAE.
Responsible: Accredited vet, municipal authority, MOCCAE
08
After 180-day wait has elapsed.
Fly to Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Osaka Kansai (KIX). AQS inspection on arrival.
Responsible: Airline, Japan AQS
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 required. Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination and confirmed working before vaccination is administered.
Rabies vaccination
Two rabies vaccinations required after microchip implantation. First vaccination must be given when the pet is at least 91 days old. Both vaccinations must be given after microchipping is confirmed. Source: Japan AQS (Animal Quarantine Service), maff.go.jp/aqs.
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood draw at least 30 days after the second (final) vaccination. Mandatory 180-day wait from the blood draw date before Japan entry. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.
Quarantine
No mandatory quarantine if 180-day wait completed before arrival. If pet arrives before 180 days elapse, AQS quarantine facility in Japan makes up the remaining days at the owner's cost.
Import permit
Advance notification to AQS required at least 40 days before intended arrival. Submit to AQS office at the intended arrival airport by fax or mail. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.
Health certificate
AQS-format health certificate issued by accredited vet in UAE, endorsed by municipal authority and MOCCAE. Must meet Japan AQS exact format requirements.
Leaving United Arab Emirates
Export requirements
Export permit
Health certificate is the export document. MOCCAE endorsement is the formal export authorisation. Allow 48 hours for the MOCCAE endorsement once the municipal endorsement is in place.
Health certificate
Official health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian, endorsed by the relevant municipal authority (Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Dubai Municipality, or Sharjah Municipality depending on emirate of residence). Then endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). Must be issued in Japan AQS-required format. Source: MOCCAE.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Microchip, two vaccinations, and titre test in UAE: approximately AED 1,000-3,500
MOCCAE health certificate endorsement: approximately AED 200-500
Cargo fees UAE to Japan: approximately AED 3,000-9,000 depending on pet size
AQS inspection fee on arrival in Japan
Pet transport agent fee: AED 1,500-4,000 if used
Realistic total: AED 6,000-18,000 or more
Critical points
The 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw date is absolute. If your pet arrives in Japan before 180 days have elapsed, AQS will quarantine it for the remaining days at your cost. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.
Japan requires TWO rabies vaccinations after microchipping. A single vaccination is not sufficient. Both vaccinations must be given after microchip implantation is confirmed.
AQS advance notification must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Late notification can result in refused entry.
The UAE is not on Japan's AQS designated country list. This triggers the full two-vaccination and 180-day process, identical to the process for China, Vietnam, or Thailand.
Comparing UAE-to-Japan with UAE-to-South Korea: South Korea (QIAS) requires only a titre test and a 5-10 day quarantine at Incheon, with no pre-travel 180-day wait. Total Korea preparation: 12-20 weeks versus 32-40 weeks for Japan.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Emirates SkyCargo
Direct cargo services from Dubai (DXB) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX). Emirates SkyCargo has established procedures for live animal transport on this route. Advance booking required.
Cargo Only
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA Cargo operates services from DXB to NRT. Direct cargo for live animals. Full documentation review before acceptance. ANA is IATA CEIV Live Animals certified.
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)
JAL Cargo services from DXB to NRT and KIX. Live animal transport with brachycephalic breed restrictions. Advance documentation review required.
Cargo Only
Etihad Cargo
From Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tokyo NRT or Osaka KIX. Etihad Cargo live animal services. An option for owners based in Abu Dhabi.
Cargo Only
Japan import rules, explained
Japan takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.
Practical tips for this move
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.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Japan AQS requires two rabies vaccinations after microchip implantation for pets from non-designated countries, which includes the UAE. A single vaccination is not sufficient for AQS. Both must be given after microchip implantation is confirmed. Source: Japan AQS, maff.go.jp/aqs.
Allow 32-40 weeks total. The main time driver is the 180-day wait from the titre test blood draw date, which itself requires at least 30 days post-second-vaccination before blood can be drawn.
Japan AQS will quarantine your pet at an AQS facility for the remaining days until 180 days from the blood draw date are complete. The owner pays all quarantine costs. To avoid this, confirm the elapsed time from the blood draw date before booking flights.
Yes. The 40-day advance notification must be submitted at least 40 days before the intended arrival date. It should be submitted as soon as travel plans are confirmed, regardless of where you are in the 180-day wait.
UAE-to-Japan: two vaccinations, titre test, 180-day wait, 40-day advance notification, total preparation 32-40 weeks. UAE-to-South Korea: titre test, 5-10 day quarantine at Incheon on arrival, no pre-travel 180-day wait, total preparation approximately 12-20 weeks. South Korea is considerably faster.
Airline guides
Emirates SkyCargo
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Etihad Cargo
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.