Moving to Japan with your belongings and petsUnaccompanied baggage, dog and cat quarantine, and transport
When you move to Japan, shipping your household goods and bringing in a dog or cat are two separate procedures, and each needs its own timetable. The Zagdim Reader Desk first establishes where you are leaving from, what you are shipping and which animals are travelling, then shortlists suitable providers in Japan where needed.
Who it is forPeople relocating to Japan with household goods, dogs or cats
Handled byInternational movers, customs brokers and veterinarians
LanguagesEnglish or Japanese; other languages on request
Reader Desk feeFree of charge
Rules differ by nationality
The quarantine steps for a dog or cat depend on where the animal is coming from: whether the place of departure is a designated region decides the treatment, the waiting period and the government certificate you need, and the export procedure differs from country to country. This page describes the general rule; if you are leaving from the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Australia, Canada or another country, confirm how your place of departure is classified and what its authorities require.
Information checked: 29 October 2026
01 · ABOUT
Moving to Japan: how are household goods and pets handled separately?
Household goods go through the customs procedure for unaccompanied baggage (別送品), meaning belongings shipped separately from you. You declare them when you enter Japan and, as a rule, clearance is completed within 6 months of your entry. Commercial goods and controlled items are handled under separate rules.
Dogs and cats must pass animal quarantine. Whether the place of departure is a designated region decides the treatment to prepare and the waiting period. The carrier, the veterinarian, the government of the place of departure and Japan’s Animal Quarantine Service (動物検疫所) are each responsible for different matters.
JapanJapan
01Airline acceptance is not quarantine clearanceIf the conditions or certificates do not match, the animal may be held for quarantine inspection or refused entry.
02Quarantine inspection itself is freeThat does not make the whole entry free.
03Other animalsThis page covers dogs and cats only. Check separately for other animals.
What are you bringing, and from where?
Closest to your situation:
Household goods only
ProcedureDeclare unaccompanied baggage when you enter; as a rule, clearance is completed within 6 months of entry.
What to prepareInventory of goods, shipping documents and the record of your declaration on entry.
Next steps
Tell the Reader Desk where you are leaving from and when you expect to enter Japan
Dogs and cats: non-designated region
What to prepareMicrochip, rabies vaccination, the designated antibody test and a certificate from the government of the place of departure, carried out in the required order.
Waiting periodAt least 180 days from the date of the qualifying blood sample to arrival; antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
Advance notificationSubmitted to the Animal Quarantine Service at the airport or seaport of entry at least 40 days before arrival.
Next steps
Gather the existing vaccination and microchip records first, then set the date of entry
Dogs and cats: designated region or returning to Japan
ConditionsThe animal must meet the designated-region conditions on birth, continuous keeping and places passed through in transit, not just where the flight departs.
What to prepareComplete records of keeping, export and transport in transit.
The list of designated regions follows the notices of the Animal Quarantine Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Next steps
Confirm where the dog or cat was born and its keeping records
02 · SERVICE
Which parts do the providers help with?
Who charges what
What the Reader Desk does at no charge
Establishes what you need, sets it out in a written brief and, where needed, introduces a mover or veterinarian.
Professional fees
Quoted by the mover or veterinarian handling the matter once they understand your situation.
How payments flow
Zagdim does not charge readers a matching fee and does not handle payments for professional services. Providers quote case by case, and you contract with and pay the provider directly.
01Moving and clearance planning
The mover and customs broker check the inventory and the schedule.
02Unaccompanied baggage documents
Declaration and shipping documents are prepared as customs requires.
03Dog and cat quarantine preparation
The veterinarian and document support staff check the treatment and certificates.
04Arrival arrangements
Port, quarantine, carrier and collection details are set out.
03 · CASES
When is an engagement not needed?
In every caseConfirm the species, the place of departure and the quarantine timetable before you book transport.
You may not need this service: if you are bringing only what you carry with you, are not shipping household goods separately and have no dog or cat, it is usually unnecessary. If you only want to find somewhere to live, see “Renting a home in Japan”.
04 · SERVICE PROCESS
Who handles each step?
Who does each step is shown within the step.
EN·JAEnglish or JapaneseSchedule moving and quarantine separately
01
Take stock of goods, animals and the date of entry
You and the Reader Desk
02
Confirm clearance and quarantine conditions
The customs broker and the veterinarian each confirm within their own remit
03
Complete the treatment and the advance notification
The veterinarian carries out the treatment; you or the person you engage notify the Animal Quarantine Service
04
Transport, inspection on arrival and collection
The carrier and you
Not included
Controlled items without a permit
Veterinary treatment carried out by non-professionals
Quarantine boarding and delay costs not agreed in advance
What you need to prepare
Inventory of goods and shipping details
Records of your own entry and of the unaccompanied baggage
Microchip, vaccination and test records for the dog or cat
Certificate from the government of the exporting country, and the port of arrival
05 · TIME
How far ahead should you prepare?
Moving depends on the goods and the shipping arrangements. For a dog or cat, confirm the vaccination, test and waiting period first. Schedule the two procedures separately.
At least 180 days from the blood sample date
The usual waiting period for dogs and cats from non-designated regions
At least 40 days before arrival
Advance notification for dogs and cats
Within 6 months of your own entry
Clearance of eligible unaccompanied baggage
What you can do in advance: if you are bringing a dog or cat from a non-designated region, start the microchip, vaccination and antibody test as early as possible. Remember to declare unaccompanied baggage when you enter.
06 · FEES
How are shipping, taxes and quarantine costs divided?
Taxes and official fees
Animal Quarantine Service inspection¥0(Excludes transport, boarding and veterinary costs.)
Customs duty and other import taxesAs estimated by the customs broker(The amount of tax is determined by customs.)
Professional and service fees
Moving, clearance and quarantine document supportQuoted once your situation is understood(Moving and pets are quoted separately.)
Veterinary treatment, tests and quarantine boardingQuoted once your situation is understood(Depends on the place of departure and the treatment required.)
Zagdim Reader DeskFree of charge(Consultation, clarifying what you need and shortlisting professionals)
Budget along two separate lines. Household goods: moving, clearance and any taxes. Dogs and cats: veterinary treatment and tests, and transport, plus quarantine boarding costs if the conditions are not met.
Each cost is quoted by the mover or veterinarian handling the matter once they understand your situation, and depends on the volume of goods, the place of departure and the treatment required. The amount of tax is determined by customs. If you decide to engage them, you contract with, pay and receive receipts from them directly.
07 · EXPERTS & PROFESSIONALS
Which professionals are involved?
Depending on the case, different Japanese professionals are involved.
International mover and customs broker
Handle the transport of household goods and the clearance documents, each within their own engagement and qualifications.
Veterinarian
獣医師 ·
Carries out veterinary matters for dogs and cats such as the microchip, vaccination and tests. The export certificate must separately meet government requirements.
MATCHING
How Zagdim shortlists the right professionals
What you need
Zagdim Reader Desk
Clarifying the need
Matching providers
Follow-up at key points
The right professional
Zagdim Reader Desk
Establishes what you need · sets out a written brief · introduces a mover or veterinarian where needed
No charge to readers
Professionals in Japan
Professional advice and handling
Quote · contract · payment · receipt
Tell the Reader Desk where you are moving from first
You tell the Reader DeskPlace of departure, port of entry and date
The Reader Desk checksWhether a mover, customs broker or veterinarian can be arranged
The Reader Desk repliesIf no suitable provider is available, we say so plainly
08 · CONSULTATION
What to have ready before you get in touch
Zagdim Reader DeskFirst understand the situation, then shortlist the right professionals
Have the points below ready, then arrange a time by WhatsApp or email.
Place of departure and expected date of entry
Rough volume of household goods and whether they are shipped separately
Where the dog or cat was born and kept, and its existing vaccination records
The Zagdim Reader Desk handles contact and follow-up.
Send us your details
The more you tell us, the better the Zagdim Reader Desk understands your situation before we speak.
Four steps after you get in touch
Contact the Reader DeskYou explain the place of departure, the goods and the dog or cat.
A written briefThe deadlines and documents for household goods and for the dog or cat are listed separately; you confirm them.
Introduced by locationBefore the introduction, the written quote, out-of-pocket costs and conditions for extra charges are confirmed with the provider.
Quote and engagementYou decide whether to engage, and contract with and pay the provider directly.
09 · FAQ
Moving to Japan with belongings and pets: common questions
When must unaccompanied baggage be cleared through customs?
As a rule within 6 months, counted from your own entry. You must also declare unaccompanied baggage when you enter.
Is vaccination all a dog or cat needs?
No. A dog or cat from a non-designated region usually also needs a microchip, the designated antibody test, a waiting period and a certificate from the government of the place of departure, all in the required order.
When do the 180 days start?
The date of the blood sample for the qualifying antibody test counts as day 0, and at least 180 days must pass before arrival in Japan. The antibody level must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
How far ahead must advance notification be given for a dog or cat?
As a rule, advance notification (事前届出) is submitted to the Animal Quarantine Service at the intended airport or seaport of entry at least 40 days before arrival.
Can the steps be skipped if you fly from a designated region?
Not on the departure point alone. The animal must meet the designated-region conditions on birth, continuous keeping and places passed through in transit.
Is there a charge for animal quarantine?
The inspection by the Animal Quarantine Service is itself free. Transport, quarantine boarding and veterinary costs are borne by the person bringing the animal in.
What happens if the documents do not match?
Quarantine inspection can last up to 180 days, and entry may be refused.
Check the clearance and quarantine conditions first, then arrange transport.
Official fees follow the current notices of the Japanese authorities. Quotes, contracts, payments and receipts for professional services are handled by the professional concerned; neither the Zagdim Reader Desk nor the professionals guarantee that any application or review will succeed. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice. Information checked to 29 October 2026.
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