Despite Japan's reputation for meticulous animal health controls, moving a pet from Japan to Denmark requires the full EU third-country import process. Japan is not on the EU's list of countries with equivalent rabies status, which means …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is ISO 11784/11785 and was implanted before rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Japan
If a previous vaccination was given before microchipping, it does not count under EU rules. Revaccinate after microchipping if needed.
2
Rabies vaccination (or confirm current vaccination is valid)
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Japan
Administered after microchip. Allow 30 days before titre test blood draw.
3
FAVN titre test blood draw at an EU-approved (EURL) laboratory
Responsible: Your veterinarian + EURL-approved laboratory
At least 30 days after vaccination. Allow 2-4 weeks for laboratory results. The 3-month EU waiting period begins from the blood draw date.
4
3-month waiting period after successful titre test result
Responsible: N/A -- mandatory waiting period
Mandatory. Your pet cannot enter the EU until 3 months after the blood draw date. Not the result date.
5
Book IATA-compliant cargo flight from Japan to Copenhagen (via European hub)
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
Once the 3-month wait is confirmed to end before your travel date.
6
Obtain MAFF-endorsed EU-format health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian + MAFF or prefectural AQS station
Within 10 days of travel. MAFF endorsement takes 5-7 working days -- book in advance.
7
Travel day: pet travels as cargo. EU Border Inspection Post inspection on arrival.
Responsible: You + cargo agent
Arrive at cargo desk 3-4 hours before departure.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Denmark
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count under EU regulations.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least one valid rabies vaccination administered after microchipping. Must be current at time of entry.
Rabies titre test
Required. Japan is not on the EU's list of countries with equivalent rabies status. FAVN titre test at an EU-approved (EURL) laboratory is required. Minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. A 3-month waiting period applies after a successful result before the pet may enter the EU.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine in Denmark for compliant pets. Entry must be through an approved EU Border Inspection Post (BIP). Non-compliant documentation may result in detention.
Import permit
Not required for companion animals. Advance notification of entry at the EU Border Inspection Post is recommended.
Health certificate
Required. EU-format veterinary health certificate issued by an official Japanese veterinarian and endorsed by MAFF or prefectural AQS. Must be issued within 10 days of travel.
Export permit (Japan)
{'required': False}
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: vaccination, titre test, health certificate
FAVN titre test at EURL-approved laboratory in Japan (blood draw plus lab fee)
MAFF health certificate endorsement fee
Pet transport agent fee (strongly recommended)
Critical points to read before you book
Japan is NOT on the EU's approved list for pet travel equivalency. The full EU titre test and 3-month waiting period apply.
The 3-month waiting period begins from the titre test blood draw date -- not the date results are received. Count from the blood draw.
The EU-format health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. MAFF endorsement takes 5-7 working days -- book in advance.
Entry must be through an EU Border Inspection Post. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has a BIP. If routing via Frankfurt or Amsterdam, BIP inspection occurs there.
Always confirm current EU import requirements with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) 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.
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines
Cargo: JAL operates routes from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to European hubs. Pet cargo via JAL Cargo with connections to Copenhagen. Temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
ANA
ANA
Cargo: ANA Cargo offers Tokyo-Europe routes. Temperature-controlled hold. Good familiarity with MAFF health certificate requirements.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Cargo: Lufthansa Cargo operates Tokyo Narita to Frankfurt (FRA), with Copenhagen connection. Reliable service. Pressurised, temperature-controlled hold.
Cargo Only
FINNAIR
Finnair
Cargo: Finnair operates Helsinki (HEL) to Tokyo routes. Good Nordic connection. Helsinki to Copenhagen is a short domestic or Scandinavian hop.
Cargo Only
KLM
KLM
Cargo: KLM Cargo via Amsterdam (AMS) from Tokyo Narita. Temperature-controlled hold. Connection to Copenhagen via KLM or SAS.
Cargo Only
EU pet import requirements for Japanese pets: the numbers
EU regulations for third-country pet imports apply uniformly regardless of the origin country’s actual rabies status. For Japan, the key numbers are:
Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit). Must have been implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If your pet’s microchip was implanted after a previous vaccination, that vaccination does not count under EU rules.
Rabies vaccination: at least one valid vaccination administered after microchipping. Must be current at time of entry.
FAVN titre test: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination at an EU-approved (EURL) laboratory in Japan. Required result: minimum 0.5 IU/ml. Results below threshold require revaccination and retesting – and a new 3-month wait begins from the new blood draw date.
3-month waiting period: begins from the blood draw date. Your pet cannot enter Denmark (or any other EU country) until 3 months after that date. This is non-negotiable.
EU-format health certificate: issued by an official Japanese veterinarian and endorsed by MAFF or the prefectural AQS station within 10 days of travel.
Entry via EU BIP: your pet must enter through an approved EU Border Inspection Post. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has a BIP. If your cargo routing arrives first in Germany or the Netherlands, the BIP inspection will take place there.
EURL-approved laboratories in Japan for the EU titre test
Several laboratories in Japan are on the EU’s EURL-approved list for rabies titre tests. Your veterinarian can arrange a blood draw and submit the sample to an approved laboratory.
Common approved laboratories in Japan include the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) and some commercial veterinary laboratories. Always verify that your specific laboratory is currently on the EU’s approved list before submitting the sample – the list is periodically reviewed.
Results typically take 2-4 weeks. Keep the original laboratory result certificate: it must be referenced on the health certificate and may be checked at the EU Border Inspection Post.
Remember: the 3-month EU waiting period begins on the blood draw date, regardless of when results arrive. The sooner you draw blood (after the 30-day post-vaccination wait), the sooner the clock runs.
FAQ
Common questions about Japan to Denmark pet transport
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting the process. This covers: vaccination (30-day wait before blood draw), titre test blood draw, 2-4 weeks for results, then the mandatory 3-month wait from the blood draw date, plus health certificate and cargo booking time. Most families allow 22-24 weeks to have buffer at each stage.
EU regulations classify countries for pet import based on the EU’s own assessment of equivalence with EU animal health standards, not just the country’s current rabies status. Japan is not on the EU’s Part 1 approved country list, so the full titre test and 3-month waiting protocol applies. This is an EU administrative classification, not a comment on Japan’s actual rabies situation.
Several laboratories in Japan are EU-approved (EURL-listed) for rabies titre tests, including the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH). Your veterinarian in Japan can confirm which laboratory they use and verify its current approved status. Always check the current EU list before submitting the sample.
An EU Border Inspection Post (BIP) is an approved entry point for live animals entering the EU. Live animal imports from third countries must enter through a BIP. Copenhagen Airport (CPH) has a BIP. If your cargo routing passes through Frankfurt (Lufthansa hub) or Amsterdam (KLM hub) first, the BIP inspection will happen there. Your cargo agent will coordinate this as part of the import process.
It is technically possible, but this route has several points where a documentation error is expensive to recover from. The combination of Japanese MAFF endorsement procedures and EU BIP entry requirements benefits from agent experience. Using an IPATA-registered agent who handles Japan-Europe routes is strongly recommended.