Despite the UK's rabies-controlled status, Japan treats it as a non-designated region — the same as the US — for cats and dogs alike. The order is fixed: microchip before the first rabies vaccination, a second vaccination 30+ days later, a FAVN titer draw, then arrival only once 180 days have passed. UK paperwork is the APHA Export Health Certificate (EHC 6407).
Minimum lead time: about 7 months (211 days). Japan's designated-region shortcut covers only Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam — not the UK. A UK cat needs two rabies shots, a titer test, and 180 full days of waiting.
Going on vacation, not moving? The same timeline still applies. Japan makes no exception for tourists or short stays — these rules apply to every dog and cat entering the country, so a two-week holiday needs the same months of preparation as a permanent move. There is no short-stay shortcut.
The requirements, in order
Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.
- ISO microchip implantedISO 11784/11785-compliant (15-digit) microchip, implanted BEFORE the first rabies vaccination. A rabies shot given before the chip does not count and must be repeated.
- Rabies vaccination #1Inactivated or recombinant vaccine only, given at 91 days of age or older (date of birth counts as day 0), after the microchip.
- Rabies vaccination #2At least 30 days after the first (the first vaccination day counts as day 0) and within the effective period of the first vaccination.
- Rabies antibody blood draw (FAVN/RFFIT) — starts the 180-day waitBlood drawn after the second vaccination and sent to a MAFF-designated laboratory (in the UK, APHA Woodham Lane); the titer must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. Your pet may only ARRIVE in Japan after 180 days have passed from the sampling date (sampling day = day 0, so day 181 at the earliest) and within 2 years of sampling.Arriving even one day early means detention for the shortfall. There is no residency requirement for non-designated regions like the UK.
- Advance notification to Animal Quarantine ServiceNotify the AQS office at your port of entry at least 40 days before arrival (via NACCS or email). Notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival is not accepted.
- Pre-export clinical inspectionWithin 10 days before boarding, a veterinarian must confirm your dog is free of clinical signs of rabies and leptospirosis (cats: rabies only).
- APHA export health certificate (EHC 6407)The UK Export Health Certificate 6407, signed and endorsed by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian within 10 days of export, covering the microchip, both vaccinations, the titer result and the clinical inspection.
How a cat's process differs from a dog's
The dates are identical. The only differences are lighter for cats: the pre-export certificate covers rabies only (dogs also need leptospirosis), and cats have more flexibility on ports of entry. The planner dates every step for a cat.
Official sources
These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.
- MAFF / Animal Quarantine Service — Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions)
- GOV.UK — Export cats and dogs to Japan: certificate 6407
- GOV.UK / APHA — 6407 EHC guidance
Rather have a professional handle the whole move? Pet relocation companies manage the vet visits, paperwork, and bookings end-to-end. (Referral placement — link to relocation partner here.)
Traveling internationally with a pet? Vet visits abroad are out-of-network by definition. (Pet insurance affiliate placement here.)
FAQ
- Is the UK a rabies-free country for Japan?
- No — Japan treats the UK as a non-designated region, the same as the US. The full microchip, two-vaccination, titer and 180-day wait apply to cats too.
- How long does it take to bring a cat from the UK to Japan?
- About 7 months from a standing start: microchip and first rabies shot, second shot 30+ days later, titer draw, then arrival only after 180 days from the draw. The planner computes your dates.
- Who issues the UK export paperwork?
- APHA issues the Export Health Certificate 6407, signed by an authorised Official Veterinarian within 10 days of export.
Other cat routes
- USA → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- USA → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- USA → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no quarantine
- USA → France (EU)3–4 weeks lead · category-1 breed ban
- USA → Portugal (EU)3–4 weeks lead · 48h arrival notice
- USA → Germany (EU)3–4 weeks lead · breed import ban
- USA → Italy (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no breed bans
- USA → New Zealand~6 months lead · 10-day quarantine
- USA → United Kingdom~3 weeks lead · no quarantine if compliant
- UK → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- UK → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · AHC, not a passport
- Canada → USANo waiting period · just the CDC form + 6-month age
- Canada → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- Canada → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- Canada → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · AHC, not a passport
- USA → MexicoNo waiting period · screwworm cert for dogs (Aug 2026)
- USA → Dominican Republic~1 month lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Brazil~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Colombia~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Argentina~3 weeks lead · no permit, no quarantine
- USA → Cayman Islands~3 months lead · titer test, no quarantine option