Reviewed by Vet Travel Docs on 17 September 2026. Official requirements can change; the linked government sources remain authoritative.
Vet Travel Docs supports a ¥2,500 check for one personally owned dog or cat flying directly from Great Britain or any EU Member State to Japan.
Quarantine depends on completing every import step
When every Japanese import requirement is met, the arrival quarantine inspection is normally completed within 12 hours. Missing or deficient requirements can lead to detention quarantine for up to 180 days or the pet being returned. Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service makes the final decision.
What the check covers
- ISO microchip placement before the first rabies vaccination;
- at least two eligible rabies vaccinations;
- an approved rabies-antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml and the 180-day wait;
- notification to the expected Japanese port of entry at least 40 days before arrival;
- the veterinary clinical inspection within 10 days before boarding; and
- the exporting government’s certificate and the required identity, vaccination, laboratory and inspection facts.
Vet Travel Docs does not submit the import notification, issue the official certificate, book quarantine or decide release. The approved arrival port, airline and every transit-country requirement must be confirmed separately.
Non-commercial boundary
Sale, adoption, rehoming, breeding-stock transfer and every other commercial movement are excluded.