Pet transport from Denmark to Japan operates under one of the strictest animal import regimes in the world. Japan's Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) runs a 180-day protocol that is non-negotiable: every step must be completed in sequence, …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip (if not already done)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step. Must precede all vaccinations. A post-vaccination microchip invalidates prior vaccination records for AQS purposes.
2
First rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. Allow 30 days minimum before second vaccination.
3
Second rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
At least 30 days after the first. Allow 30 days before titre test blood draw.
4
FAVN titre test blood draw at a MAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian + MAFF-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after second vaccination. The 180-day countdown starts from this date. Allow 2-4 weeks for results.
5
Submit advance notification to the destination AQS station in Japan
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
At least 40 days before your planned arrival date in Japan.
6
Book IATA-compliant cargo flight
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Once the 180-day wait is confirmed to end before travel date. Book 4-6 weeks in advance.
7
Obtain DVFA-endorsed MAFF-format health certificate
Responsible: DVFA-authorised official veterinarian + DVFA
Within 10 days of export date. Book the DVFA endorsement appointment in advance.
8
Travel day: pet travels as cargo. AQS inspection at Narita or Haneda.
Responsible: You + cargo agent
Arrive at cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure. AQS inspection takes 12 hours to 2 days if documentation is correct.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Japan
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If microchip was implanted after a previous vaccination, that vaccination does not count toward the AQS protocol.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Two vaccinations needed. First: at least 91 days before export. Second: at least 30 days after the first. Blood for titre test must be drawn at least 30 days after the second vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Required. FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. The mandatory 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date.
Quarantine
AQS inspection at the destination airport quarantine station. If all documentation is correct, inspection typically takes 12 hours to 2 days. Missing or deficient documentation results in extended quarantine at the owner's expense -- potentially up to 180 days.
Import permit
No standard import permit required. However, advance notification to the destination AQS station is mandatory at least 40 days before arrival. Missing this triggers extended quarantine.
Health certificate
Required. MAFF-format health certificate, issued within 10 days of export by a DVFA-authorised official veterinarian and endorsed by DVFA.
Export permit (Denmark)
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Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo fees (varies by carrier, routing, pet weight, and crate dimensions)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: microchip, two vaccinations, health certificate
FAVN titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory (laboratory fee plus courier of blood sample)
DVFA endorsement fee
AQS inspection fees at Japanese airport
Extended AQS quarantine costs if documentation is deficient
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended for this route)
Critical points to read before you book
Denmark is NOT on Japan's designated country list. The full AQS 180-day protocol applies with no shortcuts or reduced waiting periods.
The 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date -- not the date results are received. Count carefully.
The 40-day advance AQS notification is a hard deadline. Missing it results in extended quarantine at your expense.
The MAFF-format health certificate must be issued within 10 days of export and endorsed by DVFA. Coordinate these appointments carefully.
Always confirm current AQS requirements with the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Cargo: Lufthansa Cargo via Frankfurt (FRA) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Osaka Kansai (KIX). Most commonly used routing for Danish pet owners. Pressurised, temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
FINNAIR
Finnair
Cargo: Finnair Cargo via Helsinki (HEL) to Tokyo. Good Nordic connection with relatively short transit times and strong cargo service on this corridor.
Cargo Only
KLM
KLM
Cargo: KLM Cargo via Amsterdam (AMS) to Tokyo Narita. Reliable routing. Temperature-controlled hold. Book well in advance on peak relocation season dates.
Cargo Only
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines
Cargo: JAL Cargo handles pet transport to Japan. Staff are experienced with AQS documentation requirements. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
ANA
ANA
Cargo: ANA Cargo handles pet transport. Temperature-controlled hold. ANA agents are familiar with MAFF health certificate requirements.
Cargo Only
EMIRATES
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo via Dubai (DXB) to Tokyo Narita. Longer routing but reliable. Brachycephalic restrictions apply year-round.
Cargo Only
The Japan AQS 180-day protocol: sequence, deadlines, and numbers
Every step must be completed in the order below. Documentation out of sequence is invalid.
Step 1 – Microchip: ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit transponder. Implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If a previous vaccination was administered before microchipping, that vaccination does not count.
Step 2 – First rabies vaccination: given after microchip. Wait at least 30 days.
Step 3 – Second rabies vaccination: at least 30 days after the first. Wait at least 30 days.
Step 4 – FAVN titre test blood draw: at a MAFF-approved laboratory, at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Required result: 0.5 IU/ml or more. The 180-day countdown begins from the blood draw date – not when the result is received.
Step 5 – 180-day wait: mandatory waiting period from the blood draw date. No travel before this period ends.
Step 6 – 40-day AQS advance notification: submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service station at the destination airport (Narita, Haneda, Osaka, etc.) at least 40 days before arrival.
Step 7 – MAFF-format health certificate: issued by a DVFA-authorised official veterinarian and endorsed by DVFA, within 10 days of the export date.
The minimum total from starting the process (microchip + first vaccination) to travel day is approximately 36 weeks. Most families allow 40-42 weeks to have buffer at each stage.
Airlines and cargo routing from Copenhagen to Japan
There are no direct flights from Copenhagen (CPH) to Japanese airports. All routings require at least one connection.
Lufthansa via Frankfurt (FRA) is the most frequently used option. Frankfurt is a major hub for pet cargo and Lufthansa Cargo agents are experienced with MAFF documentation.
Finnair via Helsinki (HEL) to Tokyo is a good Northern European option. The Helsinki-Tokyo route is among the shorter transoceanic crossings from this part of Europe, which reduces overall transit time for your pet.
JAL and ANA cargo agents have particular familiarity with AQS requirements, which can be valuable when coordinating the arrival-side documentation. Book cargo space 4-6 weeks in advance – holds have limited pet capacity.
FAQ
Common questions about Denmark to Japan pet transport
36 weeks from the day you start the process, assuming every step goes to plan. This breaks down as: several weeks for the two vaccinations with their 30-day gaps, 30-day wait before the titre test blood draw, 2-4 weeks for laboratory results, 180-day mandatory wait from the blood draw date, plus health certificate and logistics timing. Most families allow 40-42 weeks to have buffer.
MAFF maintains a list of approved laboratories on its website. Several European laboratories are approved, including IDEXX in Germany. Your veterinarian in Denmark can arrange the blood draw and ship the sample to the approved lab. Always verify that the specific laboratory is currently on MAFF’s approved list before submitting the sample – the list is periodically updated.
If the AQS station is not notified at least 40 days before your pet’s arrival, Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service will place your pet in extended quarantine – potentially up to 180 days – at your expense. There is no appeal process for missing this deadline. Submit the notification as early as possible, well before the 40-day cutoff.
No. Japan’s AQS designations are entirely independent of EU membership. Denmark is not on Japan’s designated country list, which means the full 180-day protocol applies. There are no reduced waiting periods or documentation exemptions for EU or Schengen countries.
Technically yes, but this route has multiple points where a small documentation error has very large consequences. Using an IPATA-registered agent with Japan experience is strongly recommended. They will know the current MAFF health certificate format, DVFA endorsement procedures, AQS notification requirements, and which MAFF-approved laboratories to use.