During Your 180 Day Wait for Japan Entry, you will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Prepare a binder notebook to hold all of your records.

  • Start the Titer (FAVN) test and receive the Rabies Titer (FAVN) results, (Note: KSU is moving to electronic test results (usually takes two-three weeks for results).

  • After Jasmine reviews all of your initial candidacy records, Jasmine will ask you for the date you started the quarantine process so they may give you a surgery date.

  • Complete any remaining tests with your local veternarian, as directed by the JASMINE clinic candidacy email.

  • Complete the Import Notification Form at least 40 days or more before going to Japan, very important to do this or you cannot enter the country, submit your import form to either the Haneda or Narita quarantine branch offices (See airport email address below).

  • If your dog is considered your Service Animal or PSA, they may sit with you comfortably on the plane to and from Japan after filling out the required airline paperwork.

  • Make all airline and hotel/airbnb reservations.

  • Have the final USDA health check (Form AC) performed at your local vets office and get the USDA required health certificate endorsed for travel only after having the quarantine office review the documentation for any possible corrections.


    Important:

    Prior to endorsing your USDA health certificate before leaving for Japan, send all forms to the Japanese airport quarantine office you are flying to for review to ensure they are satisfied with the paperwork prior to your arrival in Japan. After endorsement, any changes will be difficult as they may ask for a complete redo of the forms and endorsement. This is so you can rest assured of an easy arrival with no entry delays.

Rabies Titer (FAVN) Test Results

The 180-day countdown to enter Japan starts on the day the titer was drawn (Day 0), assuming the antibody result will come back at a passing level (greater than 0.5 IU/mL). It will take approximately 2-3 weeks for your veterinarian to receive the results physically or electronically. KSU is now going paperless and will deliver the results electronically which will decrease the delivery time. The Japanese quarantine office recognizes this new process with KSU as a barcode result that connects to their database directly.

If your dog fails the titer test (with a result of less than 0.5 IU/mL), and you completed a rabies vaccine and the titer test on the same day, the booster shot given should kick in by the time you get the titer results, and your dog will be eligible for a re-test right away (Kansas State Lab recommends 21-days between vaccination and titer testing). In other words, once you find out your dog’s titer results failed, have him/her re-tested immediately. Your 180-day countdown now starts on the day the re-test titer is drawn.

Complete The Import Notification Form

Complete and submit the “Notification For Import of Dogs Under The Rabies Prevention Law And Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control Law Form below.

Complete this step as soon as you know what your travel dates will be, and which airport you will choose to arrive at and departing from, (Haneda or Narita).

The Japan Quarantine office requires at least 40 days advanced notice, so be sure this step is completed at least 40 days prior to your departure date.

If you fill out the import form without having a flight, you can submit a change request form as soon as you have one to get the notification going before the 40 days.

Email the completed form, FAVN titer results and two rabies proofs to the Quarantine office of your arrival airport:

Narita Branch, First baggage inspection division:
Narita International Airport (Terminal 1):
aqs.nrtr1@maff.go.jp
Fax: +81-476-30-3011
Phone: +81-476-32-6664

Narita Branch, Second baggage inspection division:
Narita International Airport (Terminal 2):
aqs.nrtr2@maff.go.jp
Fax: +81-476-34-2338
Phone: +81-476-34-2342

Haneda Airport Branch, Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport):
aqs.hnd@maff.go.jp
Fax: +81-3-5757-9758
Phone: +81-3-5757-9752

Example on how to fill out form, as provided by Japan Quarantine Service

Once approved, the Quarantine Office will send you an “Approval of Import Inspection of Animals” form. Print this out and keep it as a part of your documentation packet. You will need the Approval Number for your health form (Form AC).

USDA Health Certificate

You must make an appointment with the USDA office in order to get the health certificate endorsed in person.  Make this appointment as soon as you know when your flight will be, and after the final health check appointment with your vet (in that 10 day window). 

Within 10 days of your departure, bring your dog to a USDA accredited veterinarian for a final health check to confirm that your dog is free of clinical signs of infectious diseases including rabies and leptospirosis. Bring the FAVN titer report, and any documentation of vaccinations your dog has had to the appointment. Have your USDA accredited vet complete the health certificate Form AC. You can be proactive and partially fill-out Form AC prior to your veterinarian health check appointment, having them complete the rest.

The above forms will be considered your dog’s Health Certificate. No pencil, erasable pen, or white out can be used on these forms. Use double lines to strike through any mistakes, and sign and date (as you would when writing a check).

Email or fax the health certificate documentation above to the Quarantine office at your arrival airport in Japan (Haneda or Narita) to confirm that everything is acceptable before moving forward and getting the official USDA endorsement.  They will gladly give you feedback if anything needs to be changed or updated prior to finalizing everything at the USDA office.

For any changes, it is required that a "MODIFICATION ON NOTIFICATION OF IMPORT OF ANIMALS" form be submitted to the Quarantine Office immediately, and prior to your arrival date. Failure can deny your entry in Japan.

After all verification is complete, Take the following documents to your pre-scheduled USDA appointment:

  • Rabies Titer (FAVN) Test Results Certificate (soon they are going all digital on the favn form)

  • Certificates of Rabies Vaccinations

  • Microchip certification (includes number and date of implanting)

  • Completed Japan Pet Import Notification Form

  • Approval of Import Inspection of Animals

  • Modification on Notification of Import Animals (If applicable)

  • Completed form AC, Form AC must also be endorsed by USDA APHIS Veterinarian Services

  • There is a $120 fee payable by credit card or check.

  • They will give you an official stamp on the import document.

  • You do NOT need to bring your pet to the USDA office unless they are a true service animal.

You may also submit the above documentation to your local USDA Office by mail (via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL).  This is highly discouraged since you must send all originals and if there is any delay or complication with your shipment and retrieval of the documents, you may not be able to fly on your scheduled date. 

For information on navigating the Haneda and Narita airport quarantine service, and what to do on the day of travel and arriving/departing Japan, see the Jasmine page.