Explore the steps involved in transporting dogs and cats from Japan to Australia and from Australia to Japan, including how PawBridge can support you along the way.
Steps to Transporting Pets
Australia to Japan
Step-by-Step Flow
STEP 1. Confirm Travel Requirements
Before you start preparing, make sure your pet meets all the requirements for traveling to Australia.
Since Australia is rabies-free, pets traveling from Australia to Japan do not require rabies vaccinations or antibody tests. However, it is essential to have all documents prepared correctly and submitted in the proper order. Mistakes or missing paperwork can cause issues at quarantine, and in some cases, pets may be held for up to 180 days if all requirements are not met.
PawBridge will guide you through every step to help your pet avoid unnecessary quarantine.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Ensuring your pet meets all current import requirements
📌 Providing clear guidance on all necessary procedures and timelines
STEP 2. Microchipping & Transport Arrangements
Before traveling to Japan, your pet must be microchipped. If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, have this done early with your veterinarian.
Next, arrange your pet’s air travel. Depending on the airline, as well as your pet’s size and breed, travel from Australia to Japan may be possible as checked baggage. PawBridge can confirm whether the airline can accommodate your pet, as there are limits on the number of pets per flight, but booking the flight is the owner’s responsibility.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Confirms whether the airline can accommodate your pet (flight booking is the owner’s responsibility)
STEP 3. Procedures in Japan
About 40 days before arrival in Japan, you must submit an import notification to the Animal Quarantine Service to the arrival airport. Once this is accepted, you will receive a Notification Acceptance Form.
At the same time, start preparing Form AB, which is issued by the Animal Quarantine Service.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Preparation and submission of the import notification to the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service
📌 Completing Form AB
STEP 4. Procedures in Australia & Preparing Necessary Items
In Australia, within 72 hours of departure, your pet must have a pre-export check with a vet and an inspection/interview with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
You will also need to prepare the Notice of Intention to Export Live Animals (NOI), which records the dates of the veterinary inspection and the DAFF inspection. Start by booking your vet appointment, then confirm the DAFF inspection date—both must take place within 72 hours before departure.
During the veterinary inspection, your veterinarian will complete the required documents, including the Declaration of Pre-Export Veterinary Health and Welfare Inspection and Form AB, so it’s important to have these ready in advance.
As your travel date approaches, prepare a crate that meets IATA standards. The crate size should be based on measurements taken by your veterinarian, and make sure you have essential supplies such as water bottle and any other items your pet will need during the journey.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Scheduling the inspection with DAFF
📌 Preparing and submitting the Notice of Intention to Export Live Animals (NOI)
📌 Providing the PawBridge Original Support Form to guide you during vet visits
📌 Advising on the appropriate IATA-compliant crate size
STEP 5. Final Preparations & Departure – Arrival in Japan
On the day of departure, gather all required documents and essential items, and drop off your pet at the designated location.
Upon arrival in Japan, your pet will undergo an import inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service. If everything is in order, the import quarantine certificate will be issued, and your pet will be cleared to enter the country.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Double-checking all required documents and essential items
📌 Clear guidance of the day-of-departure and what to bring
FAQ
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For pets traveling from Australia to Japan, start preparations at least three months before your planned travel.
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Arranging plane tickets
Depending on the airline, as well as your pet’s size and breed, travel from Australia to Japan may be possible as checked baggage. PawBridge can confirm whether the airline can accommodate your pet, as there are limits on the number of pets per flight, but booking the flight is the owner’s responsibility.Vet fees
All veterinary-related fees are not included. PawBridge provides guidance through our original support form, but owners are responsible for scheduling and attending appointments.Preparation of necessary items
Items such as crates and water bottles are not included.On-site support
PawBridge does not provide in-person support at the airport, vets, or quarantine facility.Domestic transport within Japan
We can advise on domestic transport routes, but actual transportation within Japan is not included.However, PawBridge is here to tailor support to your needs. The following add-on services are available:
Arrange domestic transport for your pet in Australia
Vet interpretation support in Japan (Remote)
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PawBridge’s service fee for arranging your pet’s travel from Australia to Japan starts at AUD $600.
A separate fee applies for submitting the Notice of Intention to Export Live Animals (NOI) to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). These fees are set by the Australian government.
Costs may vary depending on the services you require and your pet’s circumstances. Get a Quote now to receive a personalized estimate.
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You can pay by:
Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club)
Other payment options (PayPal, Google Pay, Apple 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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Making Changes
You can request changes after payment, but additional fees may apply depending on the type of change and how far along your pet’s arrangements are.Cancellations
PawBridge service fees are generally non-refundable. However, partial refunds for fees to authorities may be possible, depending on the progress of the process.
Japan to Australia
Step-by-Step Flow
STEP 1. Confirm Travel Requirements
Before starting preparations, make sure your pet meets all the requirements for traveling to Australia. Australia is known for having some of the strictest biosecurity standards in the world, with breed restrictions, additional requirements based on travel history, and other rules to consider.
These requirements may change from time to time, so it’s important to plan and prepare based on the latest information.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Ensuring your pet meets all the latest import requirements
📌 Providing clear guidance on all necessary procedures and timelines
STEP 2. Microchipping & Identity Verification
To travel to Australia, your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip. If your pet isn’t microchipped yet, have this done as soon as possible by your veterinarian.
Once microchipped, your pet must undergo identity verification at the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. Pets can only depart 180 days after this verification, so it’s important to plan your schedule and start preparations early.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Handling the application and documentation for the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service
📌 Guiding you through the process and preparing the required documents
STEP 3. Procedures in Australia & Quarantine Arrangements
Next, apply for an Import Permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) through the BICON system. It can take around one month to obtain the permit, or longer depending on the season. The permit is valid for one year, so plan your application to align with your travel schedule.
For pets traveling from Japan to Australia, a 10-night stay at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Melbourne is mandatory. Since PEQ has limited availability, it is recommended to book the facility as soon as the Import Permit is approved.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Preparing and submitting the Import Permit application
📌 Booking the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility
📌 Assisting with communication and updates during quarantine
STEP 4. Vaccinations & Transport Arrangements
Your pet will need a health check, required vaccinations, and treatments for internal and external parasites within the appropriate time frame. Depending on your pet and its travel history, additional vaccinations may be required. Dogs also need rabies antibody testing (not required for cats). Serum samples must be sent to Japan for quarantine purposes; if your veterinarian cannot handle this, you may need to arrange it yourself.
Travel to Australia must be arranged as cargo, so the flight and customs procedures are handled by a specialized transport provider. An IATA-compliant crate is also required for the journey.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Advising on vaccination schedules tailored to your pet
📌 Providing PawBridge original support form for vet visits
📌 Supporting serum shipment when required
📌 Submitting antibody test applications to the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service
📌 Coordinating with transport providers and handling paperwork and procedures (actual transport is managed by the transport provider)
📌 Advising on IATA-compliant crate sizes and necessary travel items
STEP 5. Final Preparations & Departure – Arrival in Australia
Within five days of departure, your pet must undergo a final health check with the vet, and all required documents should be prepared. On the day of travel, the quarantine office performs the final inspection, and your pet is handed over to the transport company.
Upon arrival at Melbourne Airport, quarantine staff will receive your pet and begin their stay at the PEQ facility. You will receive updates to stay informed.
After quarantine, you can either pick up your pet in person or use the domestic transport service (add-on) to have your pet delivered directly to your home.
How PawBridge Helps
📌 Assisting with documents and preparations for the final veterinary check
📌 Guiding you through departure-day procedures and required items
📌 Supporting domestic transport from PEQ to your home (add-on service)
FAQ
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For pets traveling from Japan to Australia, begin with identity verification by the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service, and plan at least six months in advance, since pets cannot depart until 180 days after the check.
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Upon arrival in Australia, pets are required to stay at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Melbourne for 10 days.
Once the quarantine period is complete, you can collect your pet according to your preference:
Pick up in person
Domestic transport arranged by PawBridge (add-on service)
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Actual transport (Japan → Australia)
PawBridge coordinates with transport companies and manages the necessary paperwork, but since all pet travel must be arranged as cargo, the transport itself is handled by specialized providers.Domestic transport within Japan
We can advise on domestic transport routes, but actual transportation within Japan is not included.Vet fees
All veterinary-related fees are not included. PawBridge provides guidance via our original support form, but owners are responsible for scheduling and attending appointments.Preparation of necessary items
Items such as crates and water bottles are not included.On-site support
PawBridge does not provide in-person support at the airport, vet, or quarantine facility.However, PawBridge is here to tailor support to your needs. The following add-on services are available:
Arranging domestic transport for your pet after quarantine in Australia
Arranging accommodation for your pet after quarantine
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PawBridge’s service fee for arranging your pet’s travel from Japan to Australia starts at AUD $1,100.
A separate fee applies for the import permit and for Mickleham Pet Quarantine Facility (PEQ) in Melbourne. These fees are set by the Australian government.
Costs may vary depending on the services you require and your pet’s circumstances. Get a Quote now to receive a personalized estimate.
-
You can pay by:
Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club)
Other payment options (PayPal, Google Pay, Apple 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.
-
Making Changes
You can request changes after payment, but additional fees may apply depending on the type of change and how far along your pet’s arrangements are.Cancellations
PawBridge service fees are generally non-refundable. However, partial refunds for fees to authorities may be possible, depending on the progress of the process.
Peace of Mind for Your Pet’s Journey
There is plenty of information online about pet travel, which can be helpful for getting a general idea of the process. However, pet travel requires meeting specific requirements, following strict time frames, and keeping up with quarantine rules that have changed multiple times over the years.
While articles or AI searches can provide partial information, it is important to ensure that the information is up to date and accurate. You want to avoid a situation where, on the day of travel, your pet does not meet all the necessary requirements
PawBridge provides the best possible support based on the latest information from both the Japanese and Australian governments, ensuring your beloved pet can travel safely and smoothly.