Pet Transport Brazil to Japan: 2026 AQS Guide

Japan has been free of rabies since 1957, and the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) is determined to keep it that way. Every pet arriving from a non-listed country must go through a rigorous documentation and waiting period before being allowed into the country. Brazil is classified as a non-listed country, so your pet cannot use any shortened pathway.

The process requires two rabies vaccinations. The second must be given at least 30 days after the first. After the second vaccination, you must wait another 30 days before the blood draw for the FAVN titre test. The sample must go to an AQS-designated laboratory: not all labs in Brazil are on this approved list, so confirm with your vet which labs qualify before drawing blood.

Once a satisfactory titre result is confirmed (0.5 IU/ml or above), the 180-day wait begins. This wait is counted from the date of the blood draw. Arrive too early and your pet will be held in quarantine at the AQS inspection facility at Narita or Haneda for the remainder of the 180 days. That could mean months in a facility rather than hours. Getting the timing exactly right is everything on this route.

On top of the vaccination and titre test requirements, you must submit an advance notification to Japan AQS at least 40 days before your pet’s arrival. This is separate from the health certificate: it is a formal pre-arrival registration that tells AQS to expect your animal. Miss this deadline and your pet will not be permitted to land.

Start the process at least nine months before your intended departure. Working backwards from a travel date: the health certificate is issued within 10 days of travel. Before that, the 180-day wait must be complete. Before that, the titre test blood draw (requiring 30 days after second vaccination). Before that, the second vaccination (requiring 30 days after first). That is roughly 210 days of mandatory waiting time alone, before you factor in vet appointments, lab processing, and paperwork.

In practice, most families building this route from scratch find they need around nine months. Allow for lab result delays (typically 2-4 weeks for AQS titre tests), and build in a buffer for any failed titre test that requires a restart.

On costs, the long-haul cargo from São Paulo (GRU) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) typically runs USD 1,500-3,500. Pet size drives the figure: a small cat in a lightweight crate sits at the lower end; a large breed dog in a reinforced IATA crate can push toward the top. Add two veterinary vaccinations, the titre test (USD 100-180 at an approved lab), MAPA certificate endorsement fees (USD 100-250), and the arrival inspection fee at Narita (approximately JPY 7,000-15,000), and total costs range from around USD 2,500 to USD 5,000 or more for larger dogs.

There is no direct cargo service between Brazil and Japan. All routings involve at least one connection, most commonly through Seoul Incheon (ICN) or a North American hub.

Korean Air Cargo is a common choice: GRU routes to ICN, then ICN to NRT. Korean Air Cargo staff are familiar with Japan AQS documentation requirements and can coordinate pre-clearance checks. Japan Airlines (JAL) also accepts pets from Brazil via cargo with connecting routings. LATAM connects to partner hubs with onward Japan cargo arrangements.

Your pet travels as manifest cargo in the pressurised hold. IATA-approved crates are mandatory. Crates must allow your pet to stand at full height, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. Ensure your crate meets these dimensions before booking.

Book cargo space at least six weeks ahead. Confirm with the airline that they accept live animals on the specific routing you need, as some connections have restrictions. Your transport agent should coordinate directly with the airline’s cargo desk and with Japan AQS pre-arrival notification.