New Zealand → Japan

Microchip complying with ISO 11784/11785 (15 digits, numbers only), readable by a standard reader. With a non-ISO chip, contact the AQS at the port of entry and bring a reader if the AQS reader cannot read it. Must be implanted before the advance notification.

Continuously resident in a designated region since birth.

Continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan.

Continuously resident in a designated region since being directly imported from Japan (a Japanese pet coming home from a designated region).

Notify the AQS office at the expected port of entry at least 40 days before arrival — online through NACCS or by e-mail with the notification form (separate forms for dogs and cats). The AQS then issues an "Approval of Import Inspection of Animals"; print or save it for export and boarding.

Clinical inspection by a veterinarian within 10 days before boarding, checking the microchip: free of clinical signs of rabies (dogs: rabies and leptospirosis).

Certificate issued by the exporting country's government veterinary authority stating: date of birth or age; microchip number and date; which residence condition is met; no rabies in the exporting country for at least 2 years; date and result of the pre-export clinical inspection; seal number if the crate is sealed. Recommended model: Form AB (filled in by a private vet and endorsed by the authority, or filled in by an official vet). Original needed on arrival.

Direct flight or ship from the designated region to Japan.

Via a non-designated region: the transport crate is sealed by a government veterinary officer of the exporting country and the seal number is written on the certificate.

Via a non-designated region: an additional certificate on transportation (ANNEX) from the transit port's animal quarantine agency or customs, the airline/shipping line or the captain, confirming the pet stayed in its crate with no contact with other animals.

Dogs only through these ports. Airports: New Chitose (CTS), Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Chubu (NGO), Kansai (KIX), Osaka Itami (ITM), Kobe (UKB), Kitakyushu (KKJ), Fukuoka (FUK), Kagoshima (KOJ), Naha (OKA). Seaports: Tomakomai, Keihin (Tokyo, Yokohama), Nagoya, Hanshin (Osaka, Hyogo), Kanmon, Hakata, Kagoshima, Naha. Cats, and assistance dogs, through any other port: contact the AQS in advance. (IATA codes are our mapping.)

Apply for import inspection on arrival (NACCS or paper form) and present the pet. Documents: the original government certificate, the ANNEX if used, a copy of the air waybill / bill of lading for cargo, a power of attorney if an agent other than a customs broker acts for you. If all is in order the AQS issues an import quarantine certificate.