If you want to travel with dogs and cats to Japan you must be aware of the country’s rules, as it is one of the most demanding when it comes to receiving pets.
In addition to the documentation normally required for international travel with domestic animals, the region has very specific rules for rabies vaccination.
In addition, it also requires a blood test and the tourist to notify the country’s Quarantine Service a few days before the trip.
And despite all the requirements, it is possible to travel to Japan with your pets without major problems.
Now, if you want to know how to plan for this trip with your pets, keep reading this complete guide that PetFriedly Turismo prepared for you.
What do you need to know before traveling with dogs and cats to Japan?
Before traveling with your dogs and cats to Japan you need to be aware of the requirements of the airlines as well as the country.
Usually, each flight carries only three transport boxes.
Therefore, a maximum of two animals is allowed in the cargo hold and one animal in the cabin per passenger.
However, this rule may change by airline. In our Complete guide to how to travel with your dog by plane, for example, you can check the rules of the main airlines.
In fact, the main international airlines, such as Latam and Lufthansa, prohibit the transport of dogs of some breeds, especially the Brazilian Fila, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Affenpinscher and Bullterrier.
Meanwhile, regarding cats, airlines still ban Himalayan and Persian cats.
Documentation required to travel with your pets
Although the International Animal Health Certificate (CZI) is required for any international travel with dogs and cats, Japan still requires the presentation of other documents, such as:
- Certificate with date of birth and age of the animal;
- Microchip number and date of application;
- Date of first and second dose of rabies vaccine , period of immunity, type of vaccine, product and manufacturer name;
- Date of the blood test for rabies antibodies and name of the laboratory where it was performed;
- Result and date of final clinical inspection (up to ten days before travel).
What are the requirements for traveling with dogs and cats to Japan?
The main requirements for traveling with dogs and cats to Japan are mainly related to the mandatory application of microchips and the rabies vaccine.
Microchip
If you want to take your pet to the Asian country, you will have to apply a microchip based on the recommended standards for the country, which are ISO 11784 and the ISO 11785.
Shortly after applying, you will receive a record with the animal’s identification and contact information.
The Animal Quarantine Service Cargo Inspection Division (AQS) requires this document. It is a quarantine service linked to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
Vaccine against rabies
Another requirement of the country for receiving pets is that they are immune to rabies. Therefore, they must receive at least two doses of the vaccine against the disease.
Still, it is necessary that the vaccine applied to your pet has the inactivated or recombinant/modified virus.
As such, animals that have been vaccinated with the live rabies virus will need to be vaccinated again.
The dog or cat must be at least 91 days old at the time of the first dose of the rabies vaccine.
The second dose can only be applied after 30 days of application of the first one.
Antibody Test
In addition, after the second dose of the vaccine, the pet should do a blood test for rabies antibodies.
However, only tests carried out by internationally authorized laboratories will be valid, where you will have up to two years to use them.
In addition, it is important to note that the pet can only enter Japan while the vaccine is still effective.
So check the expiration date with your vet.
Otherwise, if the period of effect of the vaccine has passed, the animal will need to be vaccinated a third time.
The main steps to travel with pets to Japan
Traveling with pets to the country of the Rising Sun involves a few steps beyond requesting the International Animal Health Certificate (CZI) and the application of the microchip.
After carrying out the Rabies Serology test on your dog or cat, you still need to wait 180 days to travel to Japan.
Waiting period
After the blood test is done, the animal must be quarantined for 180 days. This duration corresponds to the incubation period of the disease.
Otherwise, the animal will have to be quarantined as soon as it arrives in the country until it completes 180 days.
In addition, there is a monthly cost of approximately 100,000 yen for animals that are quarantined.
In any case, all pets arriving in Japan must be quarantined for 12 hours.
If you want to know more about the subject, you can access more information about the quarantine time on the Japanese Government website at official website.
Quarantine Notification
It is necessary to inform the transport of the animal to the Animal Quarantine Service at the airport of your arrival.
You must make this notification 40 days before travel, through online form. In it, you will need to prove that you have accommodation in the country.
If possible, fill in the form in Japanese. You will be notified once it is accepted.
Print the notification and present it at the airport once you arrive in Japan.
Visit to the vet
A veterinarian must examine your pet at least ten days before travel, to verify that it is in good health and is not pregnant, in the case of females.
Animals must be free of clinical signs of rabies and leptospirosis.
The Health Certificate must be issued in the form AS-4 Japan.
How long does it take for the documentation to be fully regularized?
Documentation for traveling with dogs and cats to Japan can take up to eight months to complete.
To obtain the International Animal Health Certificate (CZI) you may have to wait up to 30 days. Since it is necessary to book in advance here.
In addition, after the rabies serology test, the animal must complete 180 days of quarantine of 180 days.
So if you want to travel with dogs and cats to Japan you need to start planning to get all the documentation at least a year and a half old.
If you have any doubts or are looking for a simpler solution to take your pets to Asia, talk to one of the experts at PETFriendly Turismo.
After all, our purpose is to help you have a smooth trip with your pets. And our only option is to succeed.
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