BRINGING A CAT FROMJapan to United Kingdom
Cat · Moving
Bringing a dog instead?No quarantine when the paperwork is in order. Needs port of entry, transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits and customs declaration.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
Great Britain pet health certificate signed by a government-authorised official vet within 10 days of arrival; no titer test; air cargo on an approved route.
Travel on an APHA-approved route and carrier — see the entry points (commercial airlines fly pets into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle as of 2026-09-22). Link to the live list.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Travel on an APHA-approved route and carrier — see the entry points (commercial airlines fly pets into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle as of 2026-09-22). Link to the live list.
Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
By plane the pet must travel as cargo (not in the cabin), except on chartered private planes or for assistance dogs. By private boat only from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
By plane the pet must travel as cargo (not in the cabin), except on chartered private planes or for assistance dogs. By private boat only from Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination (otherwise revaccinate). ISO 11784/11785 chips are read on arrival; with a non-ISO chip you may have to bring your own reader. An unreadable chip means refusal or quarantine.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination (otherwise revaccinate). ISO 11784/11785 chips are read on arrival; with a non-ISO chip you may have to bring your own reader. An unreadable chip means refusal or quarantine.
before or on the day of the rabies vaccination
Inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age. Travel no earlier than 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last dose of the primary course); day 1 is the day after vaccination. No wait after a booster if there was no gap in cover.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age. Travel no earlier than 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last dose of the primary course); day 1 is the day after vaccination. No wait after a booster if there was no gap in cover.
21 full days after the primary vaccination (day 1 = the day after); no wait after an in-date booster
Great Britain pet health certificate (GOV.UK form), signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian authorised by the origin government. A pet passport or a GB AHC cannot be used from a Part 2 country.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Great Britain pet health certificate (GOV.UK form), signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian authorised by the origin government. A pet passport or a GB AHC cannot be used from a Part 2 country.
Source:APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
Max 5 pets unless attending/training for a competition, show or sporting event (all over 6 months old, with written evidence). More than 5 pets, pet arriving more than 5 days before/after the owner, or sale/rehoming → commercial "Balai" rules instead.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Max 5 pets unless attending/training for a competition, show or sporting event (all over 6 months old, with written evidence). More than 5 pets, pet arriving more than 5 days before/after the owner, or sale/rehoming → commercial "Balai" rules instead.
Arriving from outside the EU, the pet is released only after customs clearance (usually done by an agent, the airline or travel company).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Arriving from outside the EU, the pet is released only after customs clearance (usually done by an agent, the airline or travel company).
No quarantine when the paperwork is in order
If the pet does not meet the rules: Quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if the pet came by sea; the owner pays any fees or charges.
Source:Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Put your pet in rabies quarantine)· checked 04 Oct 2026+1 more
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 5 ready.
Official fees
The official pages we researched for this route name no fee. Vet, lab and airline charges are not covered here.
Entry points
Where a pet may enter the United Kingdom, per the rules.
- List as of 2026-09-22The lists change often (seven updates between 7 August and 22 September 2026): check the live lists close to the day you travel.No approved route is needed when travelling from the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Commercial airlines approved to fly pets into GB arrive at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle (as of the list updated 2026-09-22; charter operators use more airports). The list names each airline with the airports it may fly pets into.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Approved sea and rail routes into GB include ferries from France, the Netherlands and Spain and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Calais–Folkestone). Eurostar is listed only for journeys out of London, not into GB.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025: the first regulations must ban bringing into England, Scotland or Wales dogs under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. cropped ears). Sections 1–7 start on a date set by regulations; not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, cats: the first regulations must ban bringing in cats under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. declawed). Not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, section 5: a non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets will be capped at 5 animals per vehicle (including a vehicle on a train or ferry) and 3 per person otherwise. Not in force on 2026-09-24.
Return trip to Japan
Moderate for a returning pet, about 6 weeks of preparation. No quarantine when the paperwork is in order (up to 12 hours on arrival).
- Second rabies vaccination — 30+ days after the first rabies vaccination: Second rabies vaccination in Japan, at least 30 days after the first and within its effective period. While abroad, give each booster before the previous effective period ends and have it recorded on the government certificate of the country of stay.
- Rabies antibody (titer) test — the blood draw must happen before you leave, so plan it into the outbound trip: Blood drawn in Japan after the second vaccination and within its effective period; test at a designated laboratory; titer ≥0.5 IU/ml; valid 2 years from blood sampling. If the return is more than 2 years after the blood sample, a new sample must be taken in the country of stay and tested at a designated laboratory.
- Export certificate from home: Export inspection by the AQS before leaving Japan: apply at least 14 days before the desired inspection date; bring the originals of the microchip certificate, rabies vaccination certificates and the laboratory report, which the AQS records on the export quarantine certificate. Keep that certificate for the return.
- Advance notice to the authority — 40+ days before arrival: Notify the AQS at the airport of return at least 40 days before arrival (NACCS or e-mail).
Full checklist for a cat from United Kingdom to Japan
Leaving United Kingdom with the pet
- Leaving Great Britain with a pet is not researched yet — GOV.UK covers it under "taking your pet abroad".
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
No traveller reports here yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 24 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: port of entry, entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (printable guide) (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, animal health certificate, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits, customs declaration, quarantine, this route, leaving with the pet · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2024-10-24
- Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate (opens official site)APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: animal health certificate, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2023-03-16
- Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, Annex II, as it applies in Great Britain (Part 1 and Part 2 listed countries) (opens official site)The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Put your pet in rabies quarantine (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: quarantine, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2025-09-08
- Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 (sections 1, 5, 8 — not yet in force) (opens official site)The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · used for: announced changes · checked 04 Oct 2026
- F.A.Q. — taking dogs and cats abroad from Japan (incl. "Short trips abroad") (opens official site)Animal Quarantine Service, MAFF · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026
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