Pet Transport Canada to Japan: 2026 AQS Preparation Guide

Japan’s AQS preparation is unforgiving about sequence. Each step has a dependency on the previous one, and any timing error can extend the process significantly. The 180-day wait begins from the date the blood is drawn for the FAVN titre test, not from the date you start preparing.

The correct order: microchip (before first vaccination), first rabies vaccination (dog at least 91 days old), wait a minimum of 30 days, second rabies vaccination (within 12 months of Japan arrival), wait a minimum of 30 days, blood draw for FAVN titre test. From that blood draw date: 180 days before your pet can enter Japan.

Working backwards from a Japan arrival date, the absolute minimum preparation time is just over 7 months: 30 days between vaccinations, 30 days before titre test, 180 days from blood draw. Most people allow 8 to 9 months to build in buffer for titre test turnaround time, AQS administrative steps, and flight booking.

The FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation) test is required by Japan AQS for pets from non-designated regions. It measures the level of rabies-neutralising antibodies in your pet’s blood. The minimum required result is 0.5 IU/ml. Blood is drawn by your CFIA-accredited vet in Canada and sent to a MAFF-approved laboratory.

Approved laboratories for the FAVN test include the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) in the USA and CSIRO AAHL in Australia. Japan AQS publishes the full approved laboratory list; confirm your chosen lab is on the current list before booking the blood draw. The sample must arrive at the lab in good condition, so use the lab’s recommended courier and packaging.

From the day the blood is drawn, the 180-day wait starts. You cannot reduce this by getting the result back sooner or re-testing. The date of the blood draw is what AQS uses.

Air Canada, ANA, and Japan Airlines all operate direct cargo services from Vancouver (YVR) and Toronto (YYZ) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). All three handle live animals in the hold. The Canada to Japan direct sector is straightforward from a routing perspective: no transit hub changes are needed.

The critical administrative step before booking is the AQS advance notification. You must notify the relevant AQS office at least 40 days before your pet’s arrival in Japan. This notification allows AQS to allocate inspection resources and verify that your documentation is on track. Filing late or forgetting to file means your pet cannot be admitted under the compliant pathway.

On arrival at Narita, AQS inspects the health certificate, microchip, vaccination records, and titre test documentation. If everything is in order, the inspection takes approximately 12 hours. If any document is missing, incorrectly formatted, or if the timing of any step cannot be verified, the holding period extends.