Pet Transport from Italy to Japan

Japan’s AQS maintains a list of designated countries: territories considered rabies-free or equivalent. The list includes the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Iceland, and a handful of others. The EU is not on this list, which means Italy – despite being a highly developed country with a functioning veterinary system – is treated as a non-designated country.

The consequences are significant. For a non-designated country, there is no shortcut. You need two separated rabies vaccinations, a titre test at an AQS-approved laboratory showing a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and a full 180-day wait from the blood draw. This is not the kind of move you can plan in three months.

The AQS website (aqs.maff.go.jp) is the authoritative source for all protocol details and the current list of approved laboratories. Verify everything there, and not just from this page.

Everything starts with the microchip. It must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and it must go in before the first vaccination. There is no exception to this. If a vet vaccinated your pet before implanting the chip, the sequence is broken and you begin again.

After the microchip, the first rabies vaccination. Then a minimum 30-day wait. Then the booster. Then another minimum 30-day wait. Then the blood draw for the titre test.

The laboratory for the titre test must be on Japan’s AQS approved list. In Europe, SCELAB in France and Sciensano in Belgium are both approved. The blood draw happens in Italy; the sample is shipped to the approved laboratory. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. If it falls short, you revaccinate and restart the titre test process – which resets the 180-day clock.

The 180 days count from the blood draw date. Not from the result date. Not from the vaccination. The blood draw.

During that 180-day wait, book your flight and start the AQS advance notification process. The notification goes to the AQS quarantine station at your arrival airport – Narita, Haneda, or Kansai. It must be submitted at least 40 days before your pet arrives. Include microchip number, full vaccination records, titre test laboratory report, and flight details.

The health certificate is issued within 10 days of travel by an official vet and endorsed by UVAC – Italy’s regional competent authority for international veterinary certifications. UVAC endorsement takes additional time. Plan the timing of your vet appointment accordingly.

For the flight, no carrier operates direct Italy to Japan. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is the most used option for Italian pets heading to Japan. Frankfurt has a strong live animal cargo operation and the Frankfurt-to-Narita route is well-established. ANA and JAL cargo connections are also used.

On arrival at Narita, Haneda, or Kansai, AQS officers inspect your documents and your pet. Quarantine begins. For a fully compliant non-designated country arrival, the minimum quarantine is 12 hours, but expect 2-7 days. Quarantine fees are charged per day at the AQS station.

This is a demanding move that rewards meticulous planning. Start at least nine months before your intended Japan arrival date.