Pet Transport Japan to USA: 2026 Guide

Moving a pet from Japan to the USA is manageable with the right preparation. Japan is one of the easier departure countries for the USA because its veterinary authority is …

4-8 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Medium

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

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Step by step

The import process, in full

Start of planning. Both must be in place before the health certificate is issued.

Confirm your dog's microchip is ISO-standard and that the rabies vaccination is current.

Responsible: Vet

Before travel. The form can be completed on the day of travel but doing it in advance is recommended.

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online (if travelling with a dog). This is mandatory regardless of country of origin.

Responsible: Owner

Within 10 days of travel.

Japanese official vet issues health certificate meeting USDA requirements. Endorsed by the Japanese authority.

Responsible: MAFF-approved vet in Japan

At least 4-8 weeks before travel. Earlier for peak dates.

Book cargo space on JAL, ANA, American Airlines or Delta. Confirm route and crate requirements.

Responsible: Owner or agent

On travel date. Allow extra time for CDC inspection at arrival.

Travel to the USA. CDC inspection at arrival airport. Present health certificate and CDC form for dogs.

Responsible: Owner / airline

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required for all dogs. ISO 11784/11785 standard strongly recommended. If the chip is not ISO-standard, the owner must bring a compatible reader. CDC inspection at entry will check the chip.

Rabies vaccination

Dogs: rabies vaccination required, administered by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccine must be US-licensed or equivalent. Cats have no federal rabies vaccination requirement for US entry, though individual states may differ.

Import permit

No formal import permit. The CDC Dog Import Form is the registration mechanism for dogs. Cats have no federal entry documentation requirement beyond airline requirements.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed health certificate required for dogs. A Japanese official veterinarian issues the certificate, which is then endorsed by the relevant Japanese authority. Present at CDC inspection on arrival.

Export permit

No Japanese export permit required for companion cats and dogs travelling to the USA.

Health certificate

Japanese official veterinarian issues a health certificate meeting USDA requirements. The certificate is then endorsed by the Japanese government authority (MAFF or equivalent). Covers microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and general health status.

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Japan to United States move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Pets travel as checked baggage in the hold on international JAL flights. No cabin pets on international routes. Direct Tokyo Narita to USA routes (LAX, JFK, ORD, SFO, SEA, IAD). Book cargo space well in advance on popular routes.

Cargo Only

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

Similar to JAL. Pets as checked baggage in the hold on international flights. Tokyo Narita hub. Direct services to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and other US cities.

Cargo Only

American Airlines

American Airlines Cargo accepts pets on trans-Pacific routes. Code-share routes with JAL (oneworld partners) may allow coordination. Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth hubs.

Cargo Only

Delta Air Lines

Delta Cargo on trans-Pacific routes. Seattle, Los Angeles and other US hubs connect from Tokyo. Confirm cargo availability for your specific route and dates.

Cargo Only

Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo (Japan to USA): USD 700 to USD 2,200 depending on pet size and route

IATA-compliant travel crate (if needed): USD 80 to USD 350

Japanese official veterinary health certificate (vet + government endorsement): JPY 20,000 to JPY 60,000 (approx USD 140 to USD 420)

CDC Dog Import Form: no fee

Total typical range: USD 1,000 to USD 3,200

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs entering the USA from any country, including Japan. Complete it before travel. Undocumented dogs may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.

Cats have no federal US entry requirements, but check airline policies as these vary by carrier and route.

Japan Airlines and ANA do not allow pets in the cabin on international flights. All pets travel in the hold as checked baggage.

United Airlines PetSafe cargo is currently suspended for general public bookings. Confirm current availability before planning around United.

Some US states impose additional requirements (Hawaii has its own strict quarantine system for all incoming pets). Confirm your final destination state's requirements separately.

The CDC Dog Import Form

The CDC Dog Import Form is required for all dogs entering the United States, regardless of where they come from. It is completed online by the owner or their agent and is linked to the dog by microchip number. The form confirms the dog’s vaccination status and travel history.

Japan is not classified as a high-risk country for dog-related rabies, so dogs from Japan do not face the additional requirements (such as USDA-recognised facility certification) that apply to dogs from higher-risk origins. You will still need a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a Japanese official veterinarian, and a current US-licensed or equivalent rabies vaccination.

Present the completed CDC form and the health certificate at the CDC inspection desk on arrival. Inspections are typically brief for well-documented pets from Japan.

Hawaii: a separate set of rules

If your final destination is Hawaii, the process is significantly more complex. Hawaii maintains its own quarantine system separate from the federal CDC requirements, and all dogs and cats arriving in Hawaii must comply with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) rules, regardless of where they flew from.

The HDOA 5-Day Or Less programme requires advance paperwork, titre tests, and specific timing. Pets that arrive without qualifying for the 5-Day programme may face up to 120 days of quarantine at the owner’s expense. If Hawaii is your destination, research the HDOA requirements independently well in advance of your move.

FAQ

Common questions

No, there is no routine quarantine for dogs entering the USA from Japan with correct documentation. You need a completed CDC Dog Import Form, a USDA-endorsed health certificate from a Japanese official vet, and a current rabies vaccination. CDC inspection at the arrival airport is a formality for well-documented pets from Japan. Hawaii is the exception: it has its own quarantine programme that applies to all incoming pets.

There are no federal documentation requirements for cats entering the USA from Japan. Individual US states may impose their own rules, so check your destination state. Airlines have their own health certificate requirements, so confirm these with your carrier. Hawaii is again the exception and applies strict quarantine rules to cats as well as dogs.

Japan Airlines and ANA do not allow pets in the passenger cabin on international flights. All pets travel as checked baggage in the hold. American Airlines and Delta accept small pets in the cabin on some international routes, but policies vary by route. Confirm directly with the airline at the time of booking for your specific Japan to USA flight.

The CDC Dog Import Form is an online registration that all dog owners must complete before bringing a dog into the United States from any country. It links the dog’s microchip number to the travel record and confirms vaccination status. There is no fee. Complete it before travel; do not leave it until the day of travel. The form applies to dogs of all breeds and ages, including puppies.

The preparation time is 4-8 weeks from a standing start, assuming your pet’s vaccinations are current. The actual flight is typically 10-13 hours direct from Tokyo to the US West Coast, longer to East Coast destinations. Factor in CDC inspection time on arrival. Your pet travels in the hold, so they will spend time in the cargo area before being reunited with you after customs clearance.

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Pet Transport Japan to USA: 2026 Guide

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

The CDC Dog Import Form

Hawaii: a separate set of rules

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote