🇺🇸 → 🇯🇵

Moving a pet from United States to Japan

Here is the whole journey for your dog or cat, from the United States to Japan: every document, in the order to tackle it, with how early to begin. Plan to start around 8 months before travel.

Japan. Long lead: two rabies shots, a titer, and a 180-day waiting period.

This is a rabies-controlled route. Some destinations add a blood titer and a waiting period, which is the single biggest driver of how early to start.

The documents, step by step

1. 1

   Microchip

   RequiredStart about 8 months before travel

   Japan is a marathon, not a sprint, and the microchip is the starting line. Begin here, early.

   ISO microchip first; it anchors every later step.

2. 2

   Rabies vaccination

   RequiredStart about 7 months before travel

   Two rabies shots after the microchip set the stage for the titer. Your vet will space them for you.

   Two rabies vaccinations are required after microchipping.

3. 3

   Rabies blood titer

   RequiredStart about 7 months before travel

   The titer is a simple blood test, then a 180-day countdown begins. We will track every day so travel lands right on time.

   Blood titer, then a 180-day wait before entry.

   A 180-day waiting period follows this step before travel is allowed. We count every day for you.

4. 4

   Import permit

   RequiredStart about a month before travel

   A notice to Japanese quarantine at least 40 days out reserves your arrival slot. We will remind you in good time.

   Advance import notification to Japan Animal Quarantine Service.

5. 5

   Health certificate

   RequiredStart a few days before travel

   The final vet certificate, close to departure, brings the long journey together. The hard part is already behind you.

   USDA-endorsed health certificate near departure.