Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
How we source our data →
Overview
The Qatar to Japan route is one many expats and returning families use each year with their pets.
This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start preparations at least 33 weeks before your travel date – some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened. Japan requires mandatory quarantine (14 days) for all arriving pets. This is the part of the process most owners find hardest to plan around. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a mandatory waiting period after your pet’s vaccination. You cannot speed this up.
The paperwork is the hard part. Once everything is in order, the journey itself is well-managed.
Step by step
The Qatar to Japan process
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 30-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 180-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Apply early: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel
Apply for import permit from Japan
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
8
Immediately on arrival (mandatory)
Quarantine on arrival (14 days)
Responsible: Japan quarantine authority
Checklist
Japan: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on the same day as rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 30-day wait after vaccination before travel. Must be vaccinated at least 30 days before import.
Rabies titre test
Required. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
Mandatory quarantine. 14 days. Facility: MAFF quarantine station. 14-day quarantine is mandatory at MAFF-designated facility.
Import permit
Required. Issued by: MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service). Apply: Apply 2-4 weeks before travel. Formal import permit required from MAFF.
Health certificate
Required. Health Certificate. Issued by: Official veterinarian in country of origin. Valid for 10 days from issue. Issued within 10 days of travel. Must list microchip number and vaccination details.
Leaving Qatar
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
Export permit from MECC.
Health certificate
{'required': True, 'issued_by': 'MECC-authorised official vet'}
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
2
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
3
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
4
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
5
Import permit application fee (Japan)
6
Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)
7
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.
⚠ Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
⚠ Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Qatar Airways
Cargo: Pets travel via Qatar Airways Cargo (QR Cargo) from Doha hub. No cabin pets on any route. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional vet documentation. Temperature embargoes apply during Gulf summer (June-September).
Cargo Only
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Cargo: Pets transported as checked baggage in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds: French Bulldogs BANNED from cargo (May-October). English Bulldogs banned year-round. Summer restrictions: May-October temperature embargoes on some routes
Cargo Only
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Korean Air
Small pets allowed in cabin. Cargo: Larger pets in hold as checked baggage or Korean Air Cargo. Seasonal temperature restrictions apply
Cabin and Cargo
Understanding Japan's pet import rules
This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. Japan runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.
All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in Japan (at MAFF quarantine station) for 14 days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.
Japan is rabies-free. MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) is the regulatory authority.
Step-by-step: what to do first
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 33 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Japan. Your pet will stay for 14 days at MAFF quarantine station on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 180-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Japan. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from Japan’s authority (MAFF (Animal Quarantine Service)). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Qatar. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Japan’s authority for the exact format required.