Last reviewed and updated on September 14
TLDR: Moving a pet from Japan to the United States is significantly simpler than the reverse. Japan is classified as a low-risk country under CDC rules, which means dogs only need a CDC Dog…
TLDR: JAL operates the only nonstop flight from Boston to Narita at approximately 14 hours. Connecting options via Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Denver, and Houston are available through JAL and ANA. United no longer accepts general pet cargo. All flight selections must…
TLDR: Japan requires an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip implanted before or on the same day as the first rabies vaccination. Japan also only accepts inactivated or recombinant/modified rabies vaccines. Live virus and RNA vaccines are not accepted. An error at…
TLDR: Japan does not quarantine every pet that arrives. Dogs and cats that complete all requirements correctly are inspected on arrival and typically released within a few hours. The 180-day detention quarantine is the penalty for arriving without meeting the…
TLDR: For New Zealand, the microchip must be implanted before or at the exact same time as the rabies vaccination and titre test. An RNATT or rabies vaccine conducted before a microchip is confirmed in place is entirely invalid. This…
TLDR: New Zealand allows Bengal cats to enter if they can prove five generations of domestic ancestry. Without pedigree documentation establishing that lineage, entry will be refused. Australia banned Bengal cats entirely as of March 1, 2026, with no exceptions. Owners moving…
TLDR: As of March 1, 2026, New Zealand removed the crate seal requirement for pets traveling from Category 3 countries including the US mainland. Crates no longer need to be sealed before departure. However, Certificate B still contains the seal wording from before…
TLDR: If your pet travels to New Zealand with any medication, the ACVM 21 form must be completed and physically presented in hand to the border inspector on arrival. The form cannot be submitted remotely or pre-lodged before travel. If a…
