In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Japan
typically takes around 28-40 weeks.
Expect 180 days of quarantine on arrival.
A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
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Overview
If you are relocating a pet from United Kingdom to Japan, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Plan for approximately 28-40 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to compress the schedule. A 180 day quarantine stay applies once your pet arrives.
A rabies titre test is required, and it carries a fixed waiting period, so start it early. Use the timeline below to plan backwards from your travel date.
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Japan process
1
Immediately. Must precede both rabies vaccinations.
Implant ISO microchip
Responsible: Vet
2
After microchip is confirmed.
First rabies vaccination after microchip
Responsible: Vet
3
At least 30 days after the first vaccination.
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
4
After the second vaccination. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above.
Rabies titre test blood draw at AQS-designated laboratory
Responsible: AQS-designated laboratory
5
Cannot be shortened. Travel must be after 180 days have passed.
180-day waiting period from the blood draw date
Responsible: Owner to track
6
At least 40 days before arrival in Japan.
Advance notification to AQS
Responsible: Owner or agent
7
Close to travel, matching all prior steps.
APHA-endorsed health certificate in AQS format
Responsible: APHA-authorised vet, then APHA
8
On travel date. If all steps correct, quarantine is 12 hours or less.
Travel to Japan, AQS inspection on arrival
Responsible: Airline cargo, then Japan AQS
Checklist
Japan: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccinations.
Rabies vaccination
Two rabies vaccinations required after the microchip, the second at least 30 days after the first, both with valid vaccines.
Rabies titre test
Required. Rabies antibody titre test (minimum 0.5 IU/ml) at an AQS-designated laboratory, blood drawn after the second vaccination.
Quarantine
Up to 180 days, but reduced to 12 hours or less if the 180-day waiting period (from the blood draw) is completed before arrival and all steps are correct.
Import permit
Advance notification to AQS required at least 40 days before arrival. This is the import notification, not a permit fee.
Health certificate
APHA-endorsed health certificate in AQS format, issued close to travel and matching all prior steps.
No formal UK export permit. The endorsed health certificate covers export documentation.
Health certificate
APHA-endorsed export health certificate in the format required by Japan's Animal Quarantine Service (AQS).
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Cargo airline fee: £1,200 to £3,000 from Heathrow to Tokyo depending on crate size
2
Two rabies vaccinations: £40 to £120 total
3
Titre test at AQS-designated laboratory: £150 to £300
4
APHA health certificate and endorsement: £150 to £400
5
Pet transport agent fee: £600 to £1,800
6
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 180-day waiting period from the titre test blood draw is mandatory and cannot be shortened. Start the process at least 7-8 months before travel.
⚠ Advance notification to AQS must be submitted at least 40 days before arrival. Missing this deadline causes problems on arrival.
⚠ Microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination, and two vaccinations are required (the second at least 30 days after the first).
⚠ If any step is missed or mistimed, quarantine can extend up to 180 days at the owner's expense, rather than the 12-hour minimum.
⚠ Japan requires the titre test at an AQS-designated laboratory specifically. Check the current list before the blood draw.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Japan Airlines
Direct Heathrow to Tokyo cargo pet service. Primary carrier.
Cargo Only
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Heathrow to Tokyo. Cargo pet service. Well-regarded for animal handling.
Cargo Only
British Airways
Heathrow to Tokyo direct. Pets via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK.
Cargo Only
Japan import rules, explained
Japan runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
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.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. The 180-day waiting period from the titre test blood draw is mandatory and cannot be shortened. It is the single longest fixed step in the Japan import process. This is why the route requires 7-8 months of preparation. If you arrive before the 180 days have passed, your pet faces extended quarantine at the airport facility until the period is complete.
Japan requires two rabies vaccinations (the second at least 30 days after the first, both after the microchip) as part of its strict rabies-free protection protocol. The titre test blood draw is taken after the second vaccination. This is more demanding than countries that accept a single primary vaccination. Ensure your vet follows the exact sequence: microchip, first vaccination, second vaccination 30+ days later, then titre test.
It is a mandatory notification to Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service that your pet is arriving, submitted at least 40 days before arrival. It is not a permit fee; it is an import notification that allows AQS to schedule the arrival inspection. Missing the 40-day deadline causes problems on arrival and can extend quarantine. Submit it well within the window, and keep the confirmation with your travel documents.
If every step has been completed correctly and the 180-day waiting period is finished before arrival, the arrival quarantine is 12 hours or less, essentially just the inspection at the airport. If any step is missing or mistimed, the quarantine can extend up to 180 days at a facility, at your expense. The precision of the preparation process is what keeps the arrival quarantine short.
Airline guides
Japan Airlines
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
British Airways
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.