Pet Transport from Portugal to Japan
Sending your pet from Portugal to Japan means facing the most demanding pet import system in the world -- and doing it without a direct flight. Portugal has no non-stop service to Japan, which means …
Get your free quoteThe Portugal to Japan import process
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian
Responsible: Your veterinarian + MAFF-approved laboratory
Responsible: You (calendar management)
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Responsible: DGAV-authorised veterinarian + DGAV
Responsible: You or pet transport agent
Responsible: You + Japan AQS
Japan entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Export requirements
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The 180-day countdown is from the blood draw date -- not the result date. Missing this timing means facility quarantine in Japan at your expense.
Portugal has no direct flights to Japan. Your pet must connect, which adds documentation complexity. Confirm all flight details in the AQS pre-notification.
Use a specialist Japan-route pet agent. This route has zero tolerance for documentation errors.
Approved carriers on this route
| Airline | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| TAP Air Portugal | Portugal's national carrier. Indirect service to Japan via Lisbon (LIS) and connection -- TAP does not fly direct to Japan. Cargo available for pets. Small pets may travel in cabin on European sector. Connect with partner airlines for the Tokyo leg. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | No direct Lisbon-Japan service. JAL connections available via partner airlines. JAL Cargo is experienced with MAFF compliance on arrival at Narita or Haneda. | Cargo Only |
| Lufthansa | Via Frankfurt (FRA). Cargo connection to Tokyo. Small pets in cabin on Lisbon-Frankfurt sector. Lufthansa Cargo for the Frankfurt-Japan leg. Brachycephalic restrictions apply. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Air France | Via Paris CDG. Air France Cargo handles pets. Small pets may travel in cabin Lisbon-Paris; cargo to Tokyo. Good connectivity from Lisbon. | Cabin and Cargo |
| Emirates | Via Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo handles all pets. Seasonal embargoes during Gulf summer. Brachycephalic restrictions apply year-round. | Cargo Only |
| Singapore Airlines | Via Singapore. Indirect from Lisbon but Singapore Airlines has a strong animal cargo reputation and good Japan connectivity. Confirm transit regulations. | Cargo Only |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | No direct Lisbon service. ANA Cargo connections available via European hubs. Strong MAFF familiarity at arrival end. | Cargo Only |
Airline options: Lisbon to Japan with a pet
No airline flies non-stop from Lisbon (LIS) to Tokyo or Osaka. Your pet will travel on a two-leg journey, which raises specific questions about the hub routing.
The most common options from Lisbon are via Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Paris (Air France), or via the Middle East (Emirates through Dubai, or Qatar via Doha). Each hub has different pet handling protocols at the transfer point.
Frankfurt and Paris are both major European hubs with established pet cargo infrastructure. Lufthansa Cargo and Air France Cargo both have experience with Japan-bound pets. The European leg may be suitable for small pets in the cabin (Lisbon to Frankfurt/Paris), with the Japan leg as cargo.
Emirates and Qatar offer competitive fares and reliable cargo services but add the Gulf summer embargo consideration. If you have a brachycephalic breed or are travelling in July-August, these routes carry more risk.
For all routes: the Japan AQS advance notification must list the correct final arrival flight. If your pet misses a connection or you change flights, re-notify AQS immediately.
Japan's 180-day rule: what you actually need to do
The MAFF process for dogs and cats is detailed but logical. Here is the sequence:
Microchip first – this must be done before any vaccination. Then two rabies vaccinations (not necessarily on a specific schedule, but both documented). Then a titre test at a MAFF-approved laboratory, with blood drawn at least 30 days after the final vaccination.
If the titre test result is 0.5 IU/ml or greater, the 180-day countdown begins from the blood draw date. Mark this date in your calendar. From the 181st day, your pet may enter Japan.
You also need to submit an advance import notification (zan-koku tsuchi) to Japan AQS at least 40 days before arrival. This is separate from the health certificate. If the notification is not in place, your pet will not be released.
Portugal’s DGAV must endorse the health certificate. This takes time to arrange – do not leave it until the final week.
Choosing a hub: what matters for your pet?
On a two-leg journey, the hub routing affects your pet’s total journey time and transit welfare. A shorter transit (1-3 hours) with a reliable airline is generally better than a long layover.
Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub is well-equipped for pet cargo transfer. Air France’s Paris CDG hub has dedicated animal handling facilities. Both are reasonable choices.
The Middle East hubs (Dubai, Doha) are efficient but add summer temperature concerns. If you can schedule travel for September-November or March-May, the temperature issue largely disappears. Japanese carriers JAL and ANA do not have direct Lisbon-Japan service but are worth contacting about codeshare options – their ground handling at Narita is arguably the most MAFF-familiar in the business.
Common questions about this route
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