Corporate pet relocation for employees moving between the US and Asia

Why the pet is often the critical path

Housing, visas and school places usually move faster than a dog's or cat's import paperwork. Japan is the clearest example. For dogs and cats from non-designated regions such as the US mainland, Japan requires an ISO microchip, at least two rabies vaccinations after the chip, a rabies antibody result of at least 0.5 IU/ml and arrival only after 180 days have passed from the date of blood sampling, plus advance notification at least 40 days before arrival. A pet that arrives without meeting these rules can be detained for up to 180 days (MAFF Animal Quarantine Service).

So the first thing we do for any assignment is compare the start date with the pet's current vaccination and test history and tell you, in writing, whether the pet can travel with the family or needs to follow.

What we coordinate

• A written plan built backward from the assignment start date.
• Veterinary documentation guidance and the timeline with the employee's own veterinarian.
• Permits and import applications where the destination requires them.
• Flight booking arrangements for the pet, matched to size, breed and route.
• Crate guidance and a crate-training plan (crate guidance).
• Arrival coordination at the destination.

Ground transport, boarding, customs brokerage and home delivery are arranged through local partners where available. If the package covers home-to-home service, see door-to-door coordination for what that includes and where it may not be available.

Working with HR and relocation managers

Corporate moves have more people involved, and the pet's move works best when roles are clear from the start:

• The employee stays our main contact. The pet belongs to the family, and decisions about vets, crates and dates are theirs.
• HR, the mobility team or the relocation management company can be copied on the plan, quotes and invoices, as the employee agrees.
• Quotes are written and itemized, so they can be checked against a relocation policy. Each line shows what it covers, and which legs are through local partners.
• Status updates go to everyone who needs them, without the employee having to forward emails while starting a new job.

If your company needs vendor onboarding documents, mention it in the enquiry and we will tell you what we can provide. We have no preferred-supplier agreements to announce here.

Common assignment routes and what drives the timing

Each destination has a different critical step:

• Japan: the 180-day wait after the titer blood draw, described above. USA to Japan.
• Singapore: AVS classes the USA as Schedule II. The import license is valid 90 days from issue, and pets imported on a personal license that do not qualify for the quarantine waiver serve at least 10 days of home quarantine (AVS). USA to Singapore.
• South Korea: pets 90 days or older from non-rabies-free countries need an ISO microchip and a rabies antibody test within 24 months of the blood sample, with a government health certificate from the exporting country; compliant pets may be released on the day of arrival (APQA). USA to South Korea.
• Hong Kong: a special permit is needed, and AFCD says it must be granted before final travel arrangements are made; compliant pets from Group II places may be exempted from quarantine (AFCD). USA to Hong Kong.
• Taiwan: an import permit is required, and pets from rabies-infected areas need a rabies antibody test declaration; Taiwan bans the import of Pit Bull Terriers (APHIA). USA to Taiwan.

When the assignment ends, the return leg matters too. A dog entering the US from a dog rabies-free or low-risk country must be at least 6 months old, microchipped and healthy, with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt (CDC); the corridor pages say which category each country falls in. See Japan to USA, Singapore to USA and our US pet import service.

When to bring us in

As soon as the destination is known, even before the start date is fixed. An early check costs nothing in time, and for routes like Japan it is the only way to keep the pet on the same schedule as the family. Our guide on how early to prepare shows typical lead times.

What we will not promise

We cannot shorten government waiting periods, waive quarantine or guarantee a flight date. When the timeline does not work, we say so on day one and offer the realistic options: the pet follows later, boarding through local partners where available, or a different travel mode.