Pet Transport India to Japan: 2026 AQS Protocol Guide

Japan’s AQS assesses the rabies risk of each country of origin before determining which import protocol applies. India is classified as non-designated because rabies is endemic in parts of India, particularly in dog populations outside urban centres. This classification applies to the whole country regardless of your city or state.

Non-designated status means the complete preparation sequence is required: ISO microchip before first vaccination, first vaccination when the dog is at least 91 days old, a minimum 30-day gap before the second vaccination, a further 30-day wait before the FAVN blood draw, and then 180 days from the blood draw date before Japan entry is permitted. There is no reduced-protocol option and no exemption for dogs with clean vaccination histories.

The DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) is the central authority in India for endorsing veterinary health certificates for export. Some states use state-level Animal Husbandry departments. Your vet handles the clinical examination; the endorsing authority provides the government stamp that Japan AQS requires.

The FAVN test is the specific blood test Japan AQS requires. It is not a standard titre test; the laboratory must use the fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation method and must be on Japan’s MAFF-approved list. Blood drawn in India is shipped to one of these approved labs by international courier.

KSVDL (Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) in the USA is a widely used option accessible from India. CSIRO AAHL in Australia is another. Results typically take 1 to 2 weeks after the sample arrives. A result of 0.5 IU/ml or above is passing; below that means a booster and repeat draw.

The key discipline is getting the draw date right. The 180-day wait starts from the actual draw date in India, not from when the result arrives or when the test is confirmed. If you draw blood a week before the 30-day post-vaccination minimum, the test result will be invalid and you will need to repeat the draw after the correct interval.

Air India, ANA, and JAL all operate cargo services from Delhi (DEL) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). Mumbai (BOM) also has connections, with ANA and Air India among the carriers handling live animals. The DEL-NRT sector takes roughly 8 to 9 hours, and all three carriers have cargo procedures for the route.

The 40-day advance notification to AQS is not optional and is not the same as booking your cargo space. It is a separate administrative submission to the AQS office at your arrival port, notifying them of the import details. Submit it well before the 40-day minimum; earlier is better. Attach the key documentation details so AQS can begin their review.

Your pet travels as air cargo, not as accompanied baggage or in-cabin. The crate must meet IATA container requirements (typically RAC containers for live animals). Your Indian vet or a specialist agent can advise on the correct crate specification for your pet’s size.