Flying with a Dog from Australia to Japan — Requirements

The importer must notify the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at the expected port of entry at least 40 days before the dog's arrival in Japan via NACCS (online) or email. AQS will issue an 'Approval of Import Inspection of Animals'. Dogs may only enter through designated airports and seaports.

A health certificate issued (or endorsed) by the government agency of the exporting country is required. Japan recommends Form AB for designated-region imports. The certificate must include: (1) individual information including date of birth or age, (2) microchip number and date of implantation, (3) statement confirming the residence condition (one of the three qualifying conditions), (4) confirmation that the exporting country has been rabies-free for at least 2 years prior to export, (5) result and date of the clinical inspection. Do not use pencil or erasable/correcting ink. Deficiencies result in up to 180 days of detention quarantine.

The dog must be identified by an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (15-digit numeric code). The microchip must be readable by standard veterinary microchip readers. Note: microchips starting with '900202' are currently under investigation and will not be accepted by Japan AQS.

The dog must have been continuously resident in Australia (a MAFF-designated region) since birth, OR continuously resident for at least 180 days immediately before export to Japan, OR continuously resident in Australia since being directly imported from Japan. If the dog has been resident in Australia for fewer than 180 days, detention quarantine for the remaining days will be imposed on arrival in Japan (up to 180 days minus the days of residence in the designated region).

Within 10 days before boarding, a veterinarian must perform a clinical inspection confirming the dog shows no clinical signs of rabies, and no clinical signs of leptospirosis (for dogs). Result and date must appear on the health certificate.

The dog must be inspected by Japan AQS upon arrival. Required documents: original health certificate and AQS Approval of Import Inspection. If all requirements are met, the dog is released within 12 hours. Dogs failing to meet requirements face up to 180 days of detention quarantine at the importer's expense, or return to the exporting country.