BRINGING A CAT FROMKyrgyzstan →to Japan

You must submit the advance notification at least 40 days before your planned import date.

Animals without microchips may be detained for up to 180 days. Dogs might be considered to lack proper certification and could be sent back to their exporting country.

Only recombinant or inactivated vaccines are accepted. Live vaccines are not permitted.

Vaccinations given to animals under 91 days of age are not accepted because their immune systems are immature and maternal antibodies may interfere.

Generally, any rabies vaccination given before the microchip is implanted is not accepted.

The 180-day waiting period starts from the date of the blood sample that shows antibody levels of 0.5IU/mL or more.

A clinical inspection for rabies and leptospirosis (for dogs) must be done within 10 days before boarding.

If all other requirements are met, the remaining days of the 180-day wait will be served as the quarantine period after arrival.

No, import quarantine cannot be done at your home, regardless of the animal's age or medical history.

Pet food containing meat items is prohibited under Japanese law.

While the official inspection is free, the owner must pay for veterinary visits, water, electricity, care, and transport to the facility.

If all preparations are correct and the quarantine period is 12 hours or less, the process usually takes under one hour.

You must submit an export application form and veterinary certificates that meet the destination country's rules. Applications should be sent via the NACCS system or email at least 14 days before the inspection.

Documents submitted to the Japanese Animal Quarantine Station can be written in either English or Japanese.

For inspections at Kansai, Haneda, or Narita airports, a health certificate is not required for the Animal Quarantine Service. However, your airline or destination country may still require one.

You can have a microchip implanted at a veterinary clinic or consult the Japan Veterinary Medical Association.

Pets can be taken abroad regardless of rabies vaccination status if they undergo export quarantine at the Animal Quarantine Service. However, the destination country may still require vaccination.

Dogs and cats are subject to export quarantine when leaving Japan and import quarantine when returning, even for short trips.

This is the Export Quarantine Certificate for Dogs (Cats). It confirms that export quarantine is finished and the animal shows no signs of rabies (and leptospirosis for dogs).

You should state the required period of residence in the remarks section of your export inspection application.

Animals that are nursing, pregnant, old, injured, on medication, or in poor health are not considered suitable for quarantine and transport. You should consult your vet and airline to see if the pet can handle the trip.

Inspections performed by animal quarantine officers are free. However, the owner must pay for any required health checks or vaccinations.

You can handle the procedures yourself, but a customs clearance agent is typically needed if you are exporting your pet as cargo.