PetFlightCheck

Bringing Your Dog to Japan From the U.S. (2026)

Japan is one of the hardest places to bring a dog from the mainland U.S., and it takes months of planning. Your dog needs an ISO microchip, at least two rabies vaccinations, a rabies antibody blood test at a designated lab (0.5 IU/ml or more), and then a wait of at least 180 days from the blood draw before it can arrive. You must notify Japan's Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival, and bring certificates endorsed by USDA. If everything is in order, quarantine on arrival takes less than 12 hours; if not, it can be up to 180 days.

Last verified against official sources

The steps, in order

  1. Microchip. An ISO 11784/11785 microchip (15 digits, numbers only), implanted on or before the day of the first rabies vaccination. Japan isn't accepting microchip numbers starting with "900 202" for now, and some other "900" numbers have turned up in more than one animal, so tell Japan early if your dog's chip starts with 900.
  2. First rabies vaccination, at 91 days old or older. Japan doesn't accept shots given before 91 days old, even where other countries allow 12 weeks, and doesn't accept live or RNA vaccines.
  3. Second rabies vaccination, 30 or more days after the first and while the first is still effective.
  4. Rabies antibody blood test, drawn after the second vaccination (it can be the same day) and sent to a designated lab. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or more, and it's valid for 2 years from the blood draw.
  5. Wait 180 days or more from the blood draw. Your dog must arrive after that, while its rabies vaccination and antibody test are both still valid.
  6. Notify Japan's Animal Quarantine Service at your arrival airport at least 40 days before arrival, online through NACCS or by email. It then issues an approval form you'll need for boarding.
  7. Vet check within 10 days before boarding, confirming no signs of rabies or leptospirosis.
  8. Certificates. Your USDA-accredited vet completes the health certificate (APHIS Form 7001 or Japan's Form AC) and you prepare the exporter's declaration (Form A); both must be endorsed by USDA and travel with your dog.
  9. Inspection on arrival by the Animal Quarantine Service.

If your dog arrives before its 180 days are up, it's held at a quarantine facility for the days it's short. Mistakes or gaps in the certificates can mean up to 180 days of quarantine, or your dog being sent back.

Sources: Import dogs and cats into Japan from non-designated regions (Animal Quarantine Service, Japan), Pet Travel From the United States to Japan (USDA APHIS)

Good to know

  • Dogs can only enter Japan through designated airports and seaports.
  • Japan generally doesn't accept a notice submitted less than 40 days before arrival, or later changes that move your arrival earlier or swap the animal.
  • Japan also recommends (but doesn't require) distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccines at least 30 days before arrival, and parasite treatment no more than 4 days before boarding.
  • Coming from Hawaii or Guam? They're rabies-free "designated regions" for Japan with a different, simpler procedure: see Japan's Animal Quarantine Service site.

Sources: Import dogs and cats into Japan from non-designated regions (Animal Quarantine Service, Japan), Pet Travel From the United States to Japan (USDA APHIS)

Coming back to the U.S.

Your dog needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt to come home, like every dog entering the U.S. See our CDC Dog Import Form guide.

Source: CDC Dog Import Form and Instructions (CDC)

Before you go

Entry rules change, sometimes with little notice. This page summarizes the official pages below as of September 27, 2026. Confirm the current requirements with your vet, USDA APHIS and your airline before you travel.

Flying there? Compare airline pet policies. For how USDA endorsement works, see ourUSDA health certificate guide.