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Quarantine guide · The basics

Taking a pet abroad: what every route needs

Requirements differ by destination, but the shape of the preparation is much the same. You identify the animal with a microchip, build immunity with rabies vaccination, add a titer test and waiting period where required, and finish with paperwork. Each step assumes the one before it, so getting the order wrong can mean starting again.

Official rules last verified: 2026-08-26

The essentials

The common sequence

These six steps are shared by most routes. Depending on the destination, some steps drop out and the timings change.

  1. Microchip

    First

    Implant an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. Every vaccination and test record is tied to this number, which is why it comes first. For Japan, Korea, Hawaii and Guam, a vaccination given before the chip is not recognized.

  2. Rabies vaccination

    After the chip

    One or two doses, depending on the destination. Where two are required, give the second at least 30 days after the first and before the first dose expires. Ask for certificates in English.

    Shot count and spacing differ by destination. Pick a route in the app and it lists what yours needs. Check in the app →

  3. Rabies titer test (blood draw)

    After the vaccinations

    Blood is drawn to measure the antibody level, which must be 0.5 IU/mL or higher. Only tests run at a laboratory the destination recognizes are accepted, and Japan, Hawaii and Guam each designate their approved laboratories. For the US mainland, and for Korea from a rabies-free origin, this step may not apply.

  4. Waiting period

    After the blood draw

    Japan requires 180 days from the blood draw, Guam 120 and Hawaii 30. For Hawaii and Guam the clock starts when the laboratory receives the sample, not on the day blood is drawn. The period cannot be shortened, and arriving early can mean detention. Korea and the US mainland have no waiting period.

    Both the length and the start day differ by destination. Enter the draw date to get the earliest entry day. Check in the app →

  5. Advance notification and paperwork

    Before departure

    Japan needs advance notification (NACCS) at least 40 days before arrival, Guam an entry permit 30 days before, Hawaii a document packet posted at least 10 days before arrival, and the US mainland a CDC Dog Import Form. You can work through these while the waiting period runs.

  6. Health and export certificates, then departure

    Just before departure

    Get a health certificate from a veterinary clinic, then the export quarantine certificate from the government authority in your departure country (APQA in Korea, the Animal Quarantine Service in Japan, USDA APHIS in the US). When each can be issued differs by destination, and on routes with airport restrictions (Japan) check before booking your flight.

What changes by destination

The same steps, with different counts and timings. Each route guide has the detail.

Arriving in Japan2 doses · titer 0.5 · 180-day wait · notification 40 days ahead · 11 designated airports
Arriving in KoreaVaccination waived from a rabies-free origin · titer 0.5 required if born in an endemic area · no wait
Arriving in the US mainlandDogs: CDC form + microchip + at least 6 months old · cats are outside the federal rules · no wait
Arriving in Hawaii2 doses · FAVN 0.5 · 30-day wait · documents posted 10 days ahead · deworming within 14 days of arrival
Arriving in Guam2 doses · FAVN 0.5 · 120-day wait · entry permit 30 days ahead · deworming within 14 days of arrival

On some routes, such as Hawaii or Guam to Japan, meeting a residency condition waives part of the process.

Documents usually needed together

Frequently asked questions

How long does preparation take?

It depends heavily on the destination. Korea and the US mainland have no waiting period, so only the paperwork takes time, while Japan takes about seven months at best because of the 180-day wait. Guam has a 120-day wait and Hawaii 30 days.

Why does the microchip come first?

The chip number is what ties vaccination and test records to a specific animal. That is why most destinations do not accept doses given before the chip, and why you have to start the vaccinations again afterwards.

Is the process the same for cats?

Largely yes. Japan, Hawaii and Guam apply the same requirements to dogs and cats. The US federal rules cover dogs only, so cats fall outside them, though the destination state or your airline may still ask for vaccination records.

Can the waiting period be shortened?

No. The waiting period is fixed by regulation, and arriving before it ends can mean detention for the remaining days. The only option is to set departure after the wait is complete.

Can any vet run the titer test?

Blood is drawn at a clinic, but the test itself is accepted only from a laboratory the destination recognizes. Japan designates its approved laboratories, and Hawaii and Guam each publish their own approved list.

How young can a puppy or kitten travel?

It varies. Japan accepts a first dose given at 91 days of age or older, and Guam at 90 days. For the US mainland, dogs must be at least 6 months old on arrival.

Sources and verification dates

This guide is reference information compiled from publicly available official rules. Final decisions rest with the quarantine authorities of the departure and destination countries and with your airline, and actual procedures may differ as rules change or depending on conditions on the day. Please confirm directly with the authorities and your airline before you travel.

If you need help with dates and scheduling

Enter your route and vaccination dates in the TabiPet app, and it lays out the steps above around your own dates. Your first diagnosis is free.

  • Vaccination order and validity checks
  • Document deadlines and D‑Day alerts
  • Airline boarding conditions by weight and breed
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