FAQ
About Our Services
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PawBridge provides comprehensive support for pet travel between Japan and Australia — from planning schedules and preparing documents to handling administrative procedures and communicating with relevant authorities.
The actual transport is carried out by our trusted partners. Please note that any veterinary appointments, examinations, or other medical procedures within Japan must be arranged and attended by the pet owner.
For more details about what’s included in our service, please see here.
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〈From Australia to Japan〉
We recommend starting at least 3 months before travel.
Japan requires a microchip, rabies vaccinations, and an antibody test — and in some cases, meeting these requirements can take additional time.〈From Japan to Australia〉
We recommend starting at least 6 months before travel.
For travel to Australia, the first step is identity verification by the Animal Quarantine Service, which must be done more than six months before departure.
After that, there are strict deadlines for vaccinations, antibody tests, document submission, and booking quarantine facilities.
A well‑planned schedule is essential, so we encourage you to contact us as early as possible. -
Our services are primarily provided online.
This allows you to access our attentive and flexible remote support from anywhere in Japan or Australia. -
We primarily support dogs and cats.
For other animals, if they are kept as “pets” rather than “livestock”, we may be able to assist depending on the situation. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your case. -
Our support differs depending on your travel route.
〈From Australia to Japan〉
You may be able to travel with your pet as checked‑in luggage, depending on the airline, your pet’s weight, and health condition.
While the actual airline ticket booking is done by the owner, PawBridge will liaise with the airline to confirm requirements and coordinate the necessary procedures.〈From Japan to Australia〉
Due to Australia’s strict quarantine regulations, pets must travel as cargo.
This means airline bookings and customs clearance must be handled through a customs broker — but PawBridge will coordinate with the broker and arrange the flights for you.
About Procedures & Transport
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For international travel, your pet will need a travel crate that meets IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.
There are specific requirements for size, materials and other details, but don’t worry.
We will explain the standards and help you choose the right crate for your pet’s size. -
We absolutely do.
PawBridge can suggest the most suitable routes and airports based on your location and schedule.
If needed, we can also arrange domestic pet transport, so you can feel confident using a regional airport.However, when importing a dog from Australia to Japan, only certain airports can accept arrivals.
We will guide you based on your specific situation, so please feel free to contact us for details. -
Yes, applying for the Import Permit is included in PawBridge’s service.
For more details on what else is included, please see here.
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When bringing a pet into Japan, an inspection by the Animal Quarantine Service is required upon arrival.
If your pet has had the necessary vaccinations, antibody tests and a microchip implanted in advance, quarantine on arrival is generally not required. However, if there are mistakes in the paperwork or the test results do not meet the requirements, your pet may be quarantined for up to 180 days.
PawBridge will guide you through every step to help avoid quarantine.
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Yes. When bringing a pet from Japan to Australia, quarantine at the government‑approved Post‑Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Melbourne is mandatory.
The standard quarantine period is 10 days, during which health checks and any necessary tests are carried out.
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After the 10day quarantine, you can reunite with your pet in one of the following ways:
Collection by the owner in person
Domestic transport to your home (optional service)
About Our Pricing
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Costs vary depending on the service and your pet’s needs.
For a personalised estimate, Get a Quote now.
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It’s true there’s a handling fee compared to doing everything yourself.
But that fee can save you from costly mistakes, redoing paperwork, or having your pet’s travel delayed — helping you prepare smoothly and with peace of mind.
Rules and paperwork requirements often change, and keeping up with them accurately can be more challenging than expected.
PawBridge works to keep prices reasonable while providing the quality support you and your pet deserve.
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No, vet consultations and tests aren’t included in PawBridge’s fee, and booking or attending veterinary appointments is the owner’s responsibility.
However, we do provide our own Veterinary Support Form to help you and your vet know exactly what needs to be done and which documents are required, making the process much smoother.
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You can pay by:
Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club)
Other payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link by Stripe, Klarna)
Note: Payments are processed in Australian dollars (AUD), and your card provider or payment service may apply international or currency conversion fees.
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Yes. We know plans can change, and we will do our best to be as flexible as possible.
Any changes once the service starts may incur extra costs depending on how far the process has progressed. For cancellations, PawBridge’s handling fee is generally non‑refundable, but some third‑party fees may be refundable depending on the stage of progress.