Shipping Pets

Please contact your local Military Veterinary Clinic or the Camp Zama Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) as soon as you find out you will (or may) PCS to Japan. Preparing pets for entry to Japan is a multi-step process that can require up to 8 months to complete.

Dogs and cats are required to have a 15-digit International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-Compliant microchip, two valid rabies vaccinations, and a rabies titer (FAVN) test prior to entry into Japan. Both rabies certificates must include all vaccine information, the pet’s microchip number, and be signed by the administering veterinarian. 

Advanced notification to the Animal Quarantine Service at the expected port of entry is required not less than 40 days prior to arrival using the Advanced Notification Form. A health certificate issued within ten days prior to arrival must accompany each pet. It is recommended that you acquire the health certificate (MDJ OP Form 2209) through a military veterinarian. Either a copy of your travel orders or U.S. Forces, Japan (USFJ) form 380EJ for customs entry into Japan is required. 

Pets entering Japan must be brought to the Camp Zama VTF within 72 hours of arrival for an initial quarantine assessment.

Shipment of dogs weighing more than 150 pounds (this includes the kennel weight) is not authorized on Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights.  All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the pet owner.

Note: Please contact your nearest AMC terminal for the most up-to-date information regarding pet travel.

When picking up your pet, you must have a copy of your original travel orders to prove ownership.  All incoming animals must enter Japan only through officially designated ports.

For Military AMC flights, the nearest ports of entry are Kadena and Yokota Air Base. Nearest ports of entry for commercial flights are Narita and Haneda International Airports. All In-processing is done by members of the Japanese Quarantine Service, or by U.S. military (if entering from an AMC terminal) and all Japanese requirements are adhered to strictly.

Animal Inspection and Customs when arriving on commercial flights:

Pet owners will proceed to the baggage claim area where they will pick up pet(s) along with checked baggage. Owners will then go to the Animal Quarantine Service Counter for quarantine processing. Animal Quarantine Counters are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with no additional charge for import quarantine inspection. Following pet processing, travelers will take both pet(s) and baggage to the Customs Counter. Service Members will be required to submit USFJ Form 380EJ "Customs Free Import or Export of Cargo or Customs Declaration of Personal Property", which can be obtained at the Transportation Office of the losing installation or at the Customs check point at the port of entry. This form is used to declare personal property and obtain a tax exemption under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). All pets traveling with a Service Member must be listed on the USFJ Form 380EJ.

Japanese Animal Quarantine Service Regulations require that all animals entering Japan be examined to determine if they are free from communicable diseases. Animals found to be free from communicable diseases may be released to the owner's custody, subject to the restrictions listed below:

• Three copies (the original plus two copies) of each of the two most recent rabies vaccination certificates must accompany the animal during transit. The rabies vaccination must have been administered more than 30 days prior to the animal's entry into Japan and must still be. Bringing puppies or kittens, not old enough for the rabies shot is highly discouraged.
• Three copies (the original, plus two copies) of the health certificate must also accompany the animal during transit. This is issued by the veterinarian which examines your pet. The health certificate must be dated within ten days preceding the animal's arrival into Japan. (To clarify - the certificate is only good for ten days, so plan accordingly.) Placing the above certificates in a zip lock plastic bag and taping it securely on top of the pet's cage seems to work best. 
• If the rabies and or health certificate is obtained through a civilian veterinarian they must be endorsed by a USDA field office, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA officer must stamp and sign each form issued by a civilian veterinarian. The signature without the stamp is invalid. Military Veterinarians are USDA qualified. Therefore, additional stamps and signatures from a USDA Office are not necessary. 

Most states have only one Federal USDA office, so obtain the rabies vaccination and health certificate through a Military Veterinarian, if possible. It is suggested that you carry in your possession one copy of each certificate in case of loss.

Government bus transportation from Narita Airport is on a space available basis. If you have a sponsor be certain to let him/her know you are bringing a pet, what kind of pet, how many pets, and cage dimensions as well as when and where you will arrive. There are size limitations for pet kennels on the Narita bus. If you are traveling with a larger pet, a different mode of transportation will need to be arranged. Camp Zama Lodging has very limited pet-friendly rooms, so it is recommended that a reservation be made well in advance. If your pet will need to be kenneled, contact the Camp Zama Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Care Center and make a reservation as soon as possible.

Public transportation (limousine bus) from the airport to the gaining installation may be available but has limited hours of operation. It is recommended that Service Members contact their sponsor prior to arrival for assistance with flight scheduling and coordination of pet travel. Be certain to let him/her know you are bringing a pet, what kind of pet, how many pets, and cage dimensions as well as when and where you will arrive. Pets are required to be transported directly from the airport to a US Installation without opening the cage or carrier. Camp Zama Lodging has very limited pet-friendly rooms, so it is recommended that a reservation be made well in advance. If your pet will need to be kenneled, contact the Camp Zama Morale, Welfare and Recreation Pet Care Center and make a reservation as soon as possible.

Please contact the Camp Zama VTF at 315-263-3875 with any additional questions or concerns.