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Pet Transport USA to Japan: The 2026 MAFF Process

Moving a pet from the USA to Japan is one of the most document-intensive routes in the world. Japan is rabies-free and protects that status rigorously. You will need a FAVN titre …

32-36 wks
Preparation needed
None
Quarantine on arrival
Very High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 standard required. Must …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Pet must be vaccinated at …
Rabies titre testFAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus …
Quarantine14 days at a MAFF (Ministry of …
Import permitFormal import permit required from MAFF …
Health certificateIssued by an accredited US veterinarian …
Related routes
Pet Transport Japan to UK→Pet Transport UK to Japan→Pet Transport USA to Australia→
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
As early as possible. This is step one.
Implant ISO microchip (if not already done). Microchip must be in place before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination.

Responsible: Vet

2
Start at least 7-8 months before your planned travel date.
Complete two rabies vaccinations, spaced at least 30 days apart. Both must be on record.

Responsible: Vet

3
180-day wait from the blood draw date begins here. This is Japan's key deadline.
FAVN titre test: blood draw at least 30 days after the second vaccination. Send to APHA-approved lab.

Responsible: Vet + approved laboratory

4
Apply at least 40 days before travel. Include entry port details, as the permit is port-specific.
Apply for MAFF import permit from the Animal Quarantine Service in Japan.

Responsible: Owner (or agent)

5
Within 10 days of travel. Allow 3-5 days for USDA endorsement.
USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate: vet issues within 10 days of travel, USDA endorses within a few days.

Responsible: Vet + USDA APHIS

6
On travel date. Fly into the correct entry port (Narita or Haneda).
Travel to Japan. Arrive at the port specified on the MAFF import permit. Present all documents.

Responsible: Owner / airline

7
Begins on arrival. Quarantine ends on day 14.
14-day quarantine at the MAFF facility. Contact is permitted; some facilities allow short visits.

Responsible: MAFF facility

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
ISO 11784/11785 standard required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination. Pets with non-ISO chips are not accepted.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Pet must be vaccinated at least 30 days before the FAVN titre test blood draw. Two vaccinations are typically required, spaced at least 30 days apart.
Rabies titre test
FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test mandatory. Minimum result 0.5 IU/ml. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Japan's 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date, not the test result date.
Quarantine
14 days at a MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) designated quarantine station. Owner pays all costs. Quarantine begins on arrival at the Japanese port of entry.
Import permit
Formal import permit required from MAFF Animal Quarantine Service. Apply at least 40 days before travel. The permit specifies the entry port, which must match your flight arrival point.
Health certificate
Issued by an accredited US veterinarian within 10 days of travel, then endorsed by USDA APHIS. Must include microchip number, vaccination history, and FAVN test result.
Export permit
No US export permit required for dogs and cats. The USDA-endorsed health certificate is the key travel document.
Health certificate
USDA-APHIS endorsed health certificate required. Your vet issues the certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it before travel. The certificate must reference the microchip number, rabies vaccination dates, and FAVN titre test result.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Japan move gets missed.

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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)
No cabin pets on international JAL flights. Pets travel as checked baggage in the hold or via JAL Cargo. Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) are the main entry hubs. Book early; cargo space is limited on popular routes.
Cargo Only
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Pets accepted as checked baggage on international routes where the service is offered. Tokyo Narita hub. Policies similar to JAL. Confirm availability for your specific route at time of booking.
Cargo Only
American Airlines
International pet cargo via American Airlines Cargo on trans-Pacific routes. Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth hubs offer direct or connecting services to Tokyo.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines
Delta Cargo handles pets on trans-Pacific routes. Seattle and Los Angeles hubs connect well to Tokyo. Cabin pets not available on international flights to Japan.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

International pet cargo (USA to Japan): USD 800 to USD 2,500 depending on pet size, route and airline
IATA-compliant travel crate (if needed): USD 80 to USD 350
FAVN titre test (blood draw and lab): USD 200 to USD 450
USDA-endorsed health certificate (vet + USDA endorsement): USD 200 to USD 500
MAFF quarantine (14 days at MAFF facility): JPY 80,000 to JPY 200,000 (approx USD 550 to USD 1,400)
Import permit (MAFF Animal Quarantine Service): minimal or no fee, but requires time and documentation
Total typical range: USD 2,000 to USD 5,500 excluding vets for vaccinations and titre test draws

Critical points

Japan's 180-day wait runs from the blood draw date, not the result date. Starting the process too late is the most common reason for a delayed move. Begin at least 7-8 months before your travel date.

The MAFF import permit specifies the entry port. If you change airports (e.g., from Narita to Haneda), you may need to update the permit. Confirm with the Animal Quarantine Service before changing flights.

14-day quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats arriving in Japan, regardless of documentation quality. There is no way to reduce the quarantine period.

Pets with non-ISO microchips (e.g., some older 125 kHz chips) are not accepted. Have the chip checked by a vet before beginning the process.

Japan Airlines and ANA do not accept pets in the passenger cabin on international flights. Your pet will travel as cargo regardless of size.

Why the 180-day wait exists

Japan is one of the few rabies-free countries in the world. To stay that way, MAFF requires proof that your pet’s rabies immunity is at an internationally recognised level before the 180-day window begins. The clock starts on the blood draw date for the FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) titre test, not on the day the result arrives. The test must show at least 0.5 IU/ml to be valid.

To reach the blood draw, your pet needs to have been vaccinated twice (at least 30 days apart) and then have at least 30 days pass after the second vaccination before the blood is drawn. This stacking of waiting periods is why the minimum preparation time is 7-8 months from a standing start.

If your pet already has a valid recent titre test result from an approved laboratory, the 180-day period may already be running. Check the blood draw date on the certificate to see how much of the wait has elapsed.

The MAFF import permit and quarantine

You must apply to the MAFF Animal Quarantine Service for an import permit at least 40 days before your planned arrival. The permit is tied to a specific port of entry (Narita or Haneda for most USA-origin flights), so it is important to confirm your arrival airport before you apply. Changing airports after the permit is issued requires an amendment, which takes time.

On arrival, your pet goes directly to the MAFF quarantine station for 14 days. You cannot skip or shorten this period. Most facilities allow owners to visit during quarantine; contact the specific station in advance to confirm their visiting policy. Costs vary by facility and pet size but typically run JPY 80,000 to JPY 200,000 for the 14-day stay.

Use a professional pet relocation company if this is your first time moving a pet to Japan. The documentation chain is long and a single error can delay entry by months.

FAQ

Common questions

At a minimum, 7-8 months from the start of the process. This is because Japan requires a FAVN titre test, and the 180-day wait period begins from the blood draw date. Before the blood draw, your pet needs two rabies vaccinations at least 30 days apart, with at least another 30 days after the second vaccination before blood is drawn. Add to that the time for the MAFF import permit application (at least 40 days before travel) and the 14-day quarantine on arrival. Start as early as you can.
No. Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA do not accept pets in the passenger cabin on international routes. Your pet travels as checked baggage in the hold or via cargo, regardless of size. Both carriers have well-established procedures for transporting pets safely on trans-Pacific routes. Book cargo space early, especially in summer and peak travel periods.
A failed titre test means you must re-vaccinate your pet and wait for another blood draw at least 30 days later, then restart the 180-day wait from the new blood draw date. This adds months to the process. If a titre test fails, act quickly: revaccinate, wait the required period, and retest. A professional vet familiar with Japan’s export requirements can help you plan the re-test correctly.
No. The 14-day quarantine is mandatory for all dogs and cats arriving in Japan, regardless of how complete the documentation is. Even pets with a perfect record serve the full 14 days. Japan’s status as a rabies-free country depends on this requirement being applied without exception. Plan for 14 days of quarantine costs when budgeting.
Yes. Cats entering Japan require the same documentation as dogs: ISO microchip, rabies vaccinations, FAVN titre test with 180-day wait, MAFF import permit, and USDA-endorsed health certificate. Cats also serve 14 days in quarantine on arrival. The process and timeline are identical for both species.
Yes, and for this route it is strongly recommended. The documentation chain is long and the deadlines are interdependent. A mistake at any stage, such as having the blood drawn too early or applying for the import permit to the wrong port, can delay the move by months. Professional pet relocation companies handle the permit application, coordinate with USDA APHIS, and liaise with the quarantine station. Their fees typically run USD 500 to USD 1,500, which is often worthwhile given the complexity.
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