GB
United Kingdom
✈️
JP
Japan
Pet Transport UK to Japan: The 180-Day Process Explained
28-40 weeks
Typical preparation
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
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Official rules on this page checked
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
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
Which Japan rules depend on a pet coming from the United Kingdom?
Japan sorts countries into 2 groups, and the United Kingdom falls in “Non-designated regions”.
Microchip, two or more rabies vaccinations (first at 91 days or older), antibody test of 0.5 IU/ml or more at a designated laboratory, 180-day wait from blood sampling, 40-day notice, clinical inspection within 10 days and government certificate (Form AC). Official source
These rules apply to that group, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Rabies titre test: Rabies antibody test at a Japan-designated laboratory. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Blood is drawn after the second vaccination (may be the same day). Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Pass mark is 0.5 IU/ml or more. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: The result is valid for 2 years from blood sampling. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Arrival only after 180 days from the blood sampling date (sampling date is day 0); any shortfall is served in AQS detention. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: If the 2-year result expires, a new test is needed but the 180-day wait does not restart, provided vaccinations stayed continuous, the new sample is at least 180 days after the first and the titre is 0.5 IU/ml or more. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies titre test: Biobest Laboratories Ltd (UK) has been removed from Japan's designated laboratory list; holders of its certificates issued 27 November 2024 to 25 June 2025 must contact AQS at the port of entry. Do not use Biobest for Japan. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import and export quarantine of dogs and cats, checked 1 October 2026 - Health certificate: A private vet may complete Form AC, then an official government veterinarian must endorse it. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: At least two rabies vaccinations after microchipping. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: First vaccination at 91 days old or more (date of birth is day 0); vaccinations given under 91 days are invalid even if the exporting country allows 12 weeks. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Second vaccination 30 or more days after the first (first is day 0) and within the first vaccination's effective period of immunity. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Only inactivated (killed) or recombinant/modified vaccines are accepted. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Live virus and RNA rabies vaccines are not accepted. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Immunity must be continuous until arrival: a booster given after the previous vaccination's effective period has lapsed is not accepted and the whole process restarts from the first vaccination. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - How your pet may travel: Non-designated regions: airside transit needs no extra certificate; entering the transit country requires that country's government health certificate. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
FAQ: Bringing dogs and cats into Japan from abroad, checked 1 October 2026 - Parasite treatment: Not required: AQS's official import guide for non-designated regions (updated September 2026) states that it sets out the conditions and procedures for import; its conditions (steps 1 to 8) contain no parasite treatment. Parasite control appears only as a recommended measure (Reference 3, and in step 8-2 for animals that will undergo detention), not as an import condition. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import guide for dogs and cats from non-designated regions (Japanese, updated September 2026), checked 2 October 2026 - Parasite treatment: In the same guide, flea, tick, roundworm and tapeworm treatment is listed under 'Reference 3: recommended measures', not as an import condition; AQS asks for it in particular for animals that will undergo detention. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import guide for dogs and cats from non-designated regions (Japanese, updated September 2026), checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: Microchip required, implanted before the first rabies vaccination (same day allowed). Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026 - Minimum age: No stated entry age, but the first valid rabies vaccination is at 91 days old or more, followed by a second at least 30 days later and a 180-day wait from the blood sample, so the youngest possible arrival from a non-designated region is about 10 months (around 301 days) old. Applies to dogs and cats from non-designated regions.
Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions), checked 1 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Japan, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Japan guide.
What does the United Kingdom require before your pet leaves?
We are still checking the export rules of the United Kingdom against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.
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 |
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.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Heathrow to Tokyo. Cargo pet service. Well-regarded for animal handling.
British Airways
Heathrow to Tokyo direct. Pets via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK.
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.
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Sources
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations