Pet Transport USA to Japan: The 2026 MAFF Process

Moving a dog or cat from United States to Japan is very doable with the right preparation. Budget around 32-36 weeks and start early, because the mandatory waits on this route …

32-36 wks

Preparation needed

14 days

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Lead time needed

32-36 weeks

Quarantine

14 days

Route complexity

Very High

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from United States to Japan typically takes around 32-36 weeks. Expect 14 days of quarantine on arrival.

Regulations checked June 2026

Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team

Step by step

The import process, in full

As early as possible. This is step one.

Implant ISO microchip (if not already done). Microchip must be in place before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet

Start at least 7-8 months before your planned travel date.

Complete two rabies vaccinations, spaced at least 30 days apart. Both must be on record.

Responsible: Vet

180-day wait from the blood draw date begins here. This is Japan's key deadline.

FAVN titre test: blood draw at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Send to APHA-approved lab.

Responsible: Vet + approved laboratory

Apply at least 40 days before travel. Include entry port details, as the permit is port-specific.

Apply for MAFF import permit from the Animal Quarantine Service in Japan.

Responsible: Owner (or agent)

Within 10 days of travel. Allow 3-5 days for USDA endorsement.

USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate: vet issues within 10 days of travel, USDA endorses within a few days.

Responsible: Vet + USDA APHIS

On travel date. Fly into the correct entry port (Narita or Haneda).

Travel to Japan. Arrive at the port specified on the MAFF import permit. Present all documents.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Begins on arrival. Quarantine ends on day 14.

14-day quarantine at the MAFF facility. Contact is permitted; some facilities allow short visits.

Responsible: MAFF facility

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 standard required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination. Pets with non-ISO chips are not accepted.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Pet must be vaccinated at least 30 days before the FAVN titre test blood draw. Two vaccinations are typically required, spaced at least 30 days apart.

Rabies titre test

FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test mandatory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Japan's 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date, not the test result date.

Quarantine

14 days at a MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) designated quarantine station. Owner pays all costs. Quarantine begins on arrival at the Japanese port of entry.

Import permit

Formal import permit required from MAFF Animal Quarantine Service. Apply at least 40 days before travel. The permit specifies the entry port, which must match your flight arrival point.

Health certificate

Issued by an accredited US veterinarian within 10 days of travel, then endorsed by USDA APHIS. Must include microchip number, vaccination history, and FAVN test result.

Export permit

No US export permit required for dogs and cats. The USDA-endorsed health certificate is the key travel document.

Health certificate

USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate required. Your vet issues the certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it before travel. The certificate must reference the microchip number, rabies vaccination dates, and FAVN titre test result.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Japan move gets missed.

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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

No cabin pets on international JAL flights. Pets travel as checked baggage in the hold or via JAL Cargo. Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) are the main entry hubs. Book early; cargo space is limited on popular routes.

Cargo Only

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

Pets accepted as checked baggage on international routes where the service is offered. Tokyo Narita hub. Policies similar to JAL. Confirm availability for your specific route at time of booking.

Cargo Only

American Airlines

International pet cargo via American Airlines Cargo on trans-Pacific routes. Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth hubs offer direct or connecting services to Tokyo.

Cargo Only

Delta Air Lines

Delta Cargo handles pets on trans-Pacific routes. Seattle and Los Angeles hubs connect well to Tokyo. Cabin pets not available on international flights to Japan.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo (USA to Japan): USD 800 to USD 2,500 depending on pet size, route and airline

IATA-compliant travel crate (if needed): USD 80 to USD 350

FAVN titre test (blood draw and lab): USD 200 to USD 450

USDA-endorsed health certificate (vet + USDA endorsement): USD 200 to USD 500

MAFF quarantine (14 days at MAFF facility): JPY 80,000 to JPY 200,000 (approx USD 550 to USD 1,400)

Import permit (MAFF Animal Quarantine Service): minimal or no fee, but requires time and documentation

Total typical range: USD 2,000 to USD 5,500 excluding vets for vaccinations and titre test draws

Critical points

Japan's 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date, not the result date. Starting the process too late is the most common reason for a delayed move. Begin at least 7-8 months before your travel date.

The MAFF import permit specifies the entry port. If you change airports (e.g., from Narita to Haneda), you may need to update the permit. Confirm with the Animal Quarantine Service before changing flights.

14-day quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats arriving in Japan, regardless of documentation quality. There is no way to reduce the quarantine period.

Pets with non-ISO microchips (e.g., some older 125 kHz chips) are not accepted. Have the chip checked by a vet before beginning the process.

Japan Airlines and ANA do not accept pets in the passenger cabin on international flights. Your pet will travel as cargo regardless of size.

Meeting Japan's entry requirements

Getting a pet into Japan means meeting a demanding set of rules with no shortcuts. Start from the earliest deadline and work forward from there.

Advice worth following

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

At a minimum, 7-8 months from the start of the process. This is because Japan requires a FAVN titre test, and the 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date. Before the blood draw, your pet needs two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, with at least another 30 days after the second vaccination before blood is drawn. Add to that the time for the MAFF import permit application (at least 40 days before travel) and the 14-day quarantine on arrival. Start as early as you can.

No. Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA do not accept pets in the passenger cabin on international routes. Your pet travels as checked baggage in the hold or via cargo, regardless of size. Both carriers have well-established procedures for transporting pets safely on trans-Pacific routes. Book cargo space early, especially in summer and peak travel periods.

A failed titre test means you must re-vaccinate your pet and wait for another blood draw at least 30 days later, then restart the 180-day wait from the new blood draw date. This adds months to the process. If a titre test fails, act quickly: revaccinate, wait the required period, and retest. A professional vet familiar with Japan’s export requirements can help you plan the re-test correctly.

No. The 14-day quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats arriving in Japan, regardless of how complete the documentation is. Even pets with a perfect record serve the full 14 days. Japan’s status as a rabies-free country depends on this requirement being applied without exception. Plan for 14 days of quarantine costs when budgeting.

Yes. Cats entering Japan require the same documentation as dogs: ISO microchip, rabies vaccinations, FAVN titre test with 180-day wait, MAFF import permit, and USDA-endorsed health certificate. Cats also serve 14 days in quarantine on arrival. The process and timeline are identical for both species.

Yes, and for this route it is strongly recommended. The documentation chain is long and the deadlines are interdependent. A mistake at any stage, such as having the blood drawn too early or applying for the import permit to the wrong port, can delay the move by months. Professional pet relocation companies handle the permit application, coordinate with USDA APHIS, and liaise with the quarantine station. Their fees typically run USD 500 to USD 1,500, which is often worthwhile given the complexity.

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Airline guides

Japan Airlines (JAL)
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Pet Transport USA to Japan: The 2026 MAFF Process

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

Meeting Japan's entry requirements

Advice worth following

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote