Pet Transport from Japan to India
Japan's rabies-free status is a genuine asset on this route. It does not remove the need for India's AQCS quarantine, but it does mean the export side is straightforward: a MAFF health certificate and AQS export inspection. On the India …
The Japan to India pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
What your pet needs to enter India
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
What this route typically costs
Critical points to read before you book
The AQCS NOC must be obtained before the pet departs Japan. Arriving in India without an NOC results in the pet being held at the airport while the paperwork is resolved. Apply at least two weeks before travel.
Quarantine in India is 15 days for standard cases. Dogs arriving from Japan (a rabies-free country) are unlikely to need the 30-day extension, but this is at the AQCS officer's discretion.
Japan's AQS conducts an export inspection at the departure airport. Allow extra time at the airport for this check. The MAFF health certificate must be presented at AQS.
India only accepts pets arriving at airports with AQCS quarantine stations: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Do not route the pet through an airport not on this list.
Cats from Japan to India face the same requirements as dogs. The rabies vaccination and 15-day quarantine apply to both species.
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's export process: MAFF certificate and AQS inspection
Leaving Japan with a pet is well-organised. Your vet must be authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The MAFF-authorised vet issues the export health certificate confirming the pet is clinically healthy and has current vaccinations. Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) then conducts an inspection at the departure airport before the pet is accepted onto the flight.
Japan is recognised as rabies-free by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The MAFF certificate notes this status, which is noted by receiving countries. For India’s AQCS, it does not remove the quarantine requirement, but it does simplify the health history documentation.
Allow extra time at the departure airport for the AQS inspection. The inspection is routine for pets leaving Japan and the process is well-established. Book a morning departure if possible to give yourself buffer time.
India's AQCS NOC and the 15-day quarantine
India requires an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) before your pet can land. This is not an on-arrival form; it must be obtained in advance. The NOC takes approximately five working days to process. Apply well before your travel date to avoid any last-minute problems.
AQCS quarantine stations are at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Your pet must arrive at one of these airports. On arrival, AQCS officers inspect the MAFF health certificate, vaccination records and NOC. The 15-day quarantine begins immediately. During this period the pet is under AQCS observation at the airport facility.
The 15-day quarantine cannot be served at home or at a private kennel. It takes place at the AQCS facility. Some facilities allow owner visits at scheduled times. Confirm the visiting policy with your destination AQCS station before travel. In cases where health concerns arise during observation, the quarantine can be extended to 30 days.
Airlines from Tokyo to Delhi and Mumbai
Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) both operate direct services from Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Delhi Indira Gandhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM). JAL does not allow pets in the passenger cabin on international flights; all pets travel in the temperature-controlled hold as cargo. ANA operates a similar policy. Both are experienced carriers for live animal shipments on long-haul routes.
Air India also serves the Tokyo-Delhi route and offers a convenient option given that Delhi is Air India’s main hub. Contact the cargo desk of your chosen carrier directly for live animal bookings; pet cargo cannot be arranged through standard ticket booking.
For cats and very small dogs, some carriers may permit cabin travel in a carrier under the seat; confirm directly. The size and weight limits vary and policies can change. For medium and large dogs, hold cargo is the route to take.
Common questions about Japan to India pet transport
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