Regulations related to Exporting Animals

Section 1: General Information

There are many cases where quarantine is required for exporting animals out of Japan.

In addition, there are cases where CITES-related animals cannot be exported without approval based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law, and there are cases where export is basically prohibited based on the Species Survival Law.

It is also important to note that birds cannot be exported without a certificate of lawful capture.

Section 2: Rabies Prevention Law

The Rabies Prevention Law stipulates that before exporting dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks, it is necessary to apply for an export inspection (Article 3 of the Rules for Import and Export Quarantine of Dogs, etc.) and undergo quarantine (Article 7). Applications for export inspection can be submitted electronically.

Customs requires the submission of an export quarantine certificate or a copy thereof.

For more information, you may check the Animal Quarantine Guide by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which is available in English.

Section 3: Livestock Infectious Disease Control Law

The Livestock Infectious Disease Control Law requires, in principle, quarantine for the export of livestock, as shown in the following table.

Animals and other objects for which the importing country requires proof of inspection by the exporting country

 

 

 

 

 

・In order to export, it is necessary to apply for an export inspection, have an inspection by a livestock quarantine officer, and receive an export quarantine certificate (Article 45, Paragraph 1). Electronic application for export inspection is also possible.

・Customs requires the export quarantine certificate or a copy thereof, or a copy of the animal quarantine inspection acceptance notice.

Items designated by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as requiring quarantine (“designated quarantine items”). Specifically, it refers to the following items (1) through (6).

 

(1) The following animals or their carcasses

Even-toed ungulates (cattle, deer, giraffes, etc.), horses, domestic animals, dogs, rabbits, bees

(2) Eggs of domestic animals

(3) Parts of the animals in (1) (bones, meat, fat, blood, skin, hair, horns, hooves, tendons and organs)

(4) Dairy products of the animals in (1) (raw milk, skimmed milk, etc., cream, butter, cheese, brine, powdered milk, etc.), semen, fertilized eggs, unfertilized eggs, and feces and urine.

(5) Bone meal of the animals in (1), meat meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, skin meal, feather meal, hoof horn meal and organ meal.

(6) Sausage, ham and bacon made from (3) above.

Section 4: Wildlife Protection Law

The Law for the Protection of Birds and Wildlife stipulates that birds and animals (including processed products thereof specified by the Ordinance of the Ministry of the Environment) or eggs of birds may not be exported without a certificate of lawful capture (Article 25, Paragraph 1).


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