CAN YOU CONNECT WITH PETS THROUGH TOKYO?

[sheenerface]

I was under the impression that you could. We're flying through Tokyo to the US, and I thought that since you don't actually enter the country, you are allowed to travel with pets. We will have two in cargo and one in the cabin. We just called our airline (United) about something else and they freaked out saying they wouldn't let any planes land in Tokyo if there are animals on board. They're basically saying it's impossible, and we should really change all our flights to avoid Tokyo. I wish we could, but that's impossible, for a myriad of other reasons. Someone PLEASE reply with a personal experience!!!!!!!!!!!

[luvadog]

Hi,

I have flown home 3 times with Toby as carryon and every time we stopped in Tokyo for a 2 hour layover. I sat in the lobby with him...no problem. I have never flown with pets in cargo though.

Most trips were with United...others, NW.

When we landed, I was paged before disembarking...(I love that!...didemBARKing...haha)...and I had to check in at quarantine again to make sure I had all the papers in order. Very simple.

I would talk with someone else asap. Either she made a mistake or the rules have changed. In fact, if I had that experience, I'd be making several calls to be sure.

But, logic would tell us that if they would not let the plane land, they would not take off with such a problem. I think, "don't worry."

[sheenerface]

Hi,

I have flown home 3 times with Toby as carryon and every time we stopped in Tokyo for a 2 hour layover. I sat in the lobby with him...no problem. I have never flown with pets in cargo though.

Most trips were with United...others, NW.

When we landed, I was paged before disembarking...(I love that!...didemBARKing...haha)...and I had to check in at quarantine again to make sure I had all the papers in order. Very simple.

I would talk with someone else asap. Either she made a mistake or the rules have changed. In fact, if I had that experience, I'd be making several calls to be sure.

But, logic would tell us that if they would not let the plane land, they would not take off with such a problem. I think, "don't worry."

Thank you so much for replying, luvadog. I've just been on the phone to our agent to double check with Japan that it's allowed. I'm still waiting to hear back from her, but she said that if there had been a problem when we booked the flight, Incheon would have told her. I also called United back again, to see if I could talk to someone else. This new rep told me there isn't an issue with transiting through Japan. I'm pissed they can't get it straight and keep telling me different things, but I hope the travel agent will be able to confirm whether or not there's a problem.

You didn't need to have any additional papers for connecting through there, did you? We'll have our shot records, the rabies certificates, the health certificates, and the quarantine papers from Incheon, but that's all they wanted, right?

[luvadog]

You didn't need to have any additional papers for connecting through there, did you? We'll have our shot records, the rabies certificates, the health certificates, and the quarantine papers from Incheon, but that's all they wanted, right?

That's all you need.

I had a horrible experience with my hogwon (SLP) booking my ticket back in 2005. I adopted Toby in Jan and went home in July and my director said I couldn't take him with me because of the heat embargo. (He was carry-on but I knew nothing about all the rules then and neither did she.)

My Korean friends who have 2 girls were very happy because they wanted to keep him for me for 2 months, but I was actually getting sick at the thought of leaving him behind. Luckily, just 2 days before leaving, my Kor-Am friend from TN called for me and found out that carry-ons don't have an embargo. I was ecstatic and rushed to get it all done before leaving. The dad of the house was angry at me because he really wanted to keep him.

Turns out I wasn't home for the planned 2 mos...it was 8 months! Toby would not have been my dog anymore.

****************

[luvadog]

I'm pissed they can't get it straight and keep telling me different things, but I hope the travel agent will be able to confirm whether or not there's a problem.

DITTO!!!

[Karen]

Luvadog, I've moved your post which veered from the topic of Tokyo into its own thread in the Pet Travel section called "Moving dogs to the US (http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2087)".

[losing_touch]

For my own ease of mind, I went ahead and emailed the Animal Quarantine Service, Narita Branch. I was unsure because I have been getting conflicting information. I figured these people would know better than anyone. Here is what they had to say if you had any doubts about transiting in Narita/Tokyo:

Dear ME

Thank you for your cooperation for animal quarantine.

Your dog will not enter Japan (just transit),
no need any Animal Quarantine in Japan.

But airline staff will submit some documents to us
about your dog's transit.
So, please consult with airline staff about that.

If you will enter Japan,
there are some lows and regulation.

[The guide to importing dog]
http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog/pdf/nonfree060606.pdf

If you have any question, please feel free to inquire.
Thank you.

==================================================
Animal Quarantine Service Narita Branch
Second section (2PTB)
Tel: +81-476-34-2342 Fax: +81-476-34-2338
E-mail: na-k2@maff-aqs.go.jp
Web site: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/

[luvadog]

I was under the impression that you could. We're flying through Tokyo to the US, and I thought that since you don't actually enter the country, you are allowed to travel with pets. We will have two in cargo and one in the cabin. We just called our airline (United) about something else and they freaked out saying they wouldn't let any planes land in Tokyo if there are animals on board. They're basically saying it's impossible, and we should really change all our flights to avoid Tokyo. I wish we could, but that's impossible, for a myriad of other reasons. Someone PLEASE reply with a personal experience!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be flying to the USA via Tokyo (Narita) and wondered what they actually do with the dogs during the 2 hours who ride in cargo. Lassie will be in cargo and Toby will be carry-on. I always sat with Toby in the lobby during the change, but never carried a cargo dog before.

Also, I was told I could carry 4 dogs on the international flight, but when I get to Detroit, I'd change to a smaller plane and there's a limit of one in cargo. I noticed that you said you'd have 2 in cargo. Since you said "we" does that mean the limit is 1 for each person in cargo?

[jimm1909]

Hi,

I have flown home 3 times with Toby as carryon and every time we stopped in Tokyo for a 2 hour layover. I sat in the lobby with him...no problem. I have never flown with pets in cargo though.

Most trips were with United...others, NW.

When we landed, I was paged before disembarking...(I love that!...didemBARKing...haha)...and I had to check in at quarantine again to make sure I had all the papers in order. Very simple.

I would talk with someone else asap. Either she made a mistake or the rules have changed. In fact, if I had that experience, I'd be making several calls to be sure.

But, logic would tell us that if they would not let the plane land, they would not take off with such a problem. I think, "don't worry."

For anyone still wondering, I just got back from a trip where I connected with my pet as a carry on through Tokyo.

I was flying United also, and had no trouble whatsoever taking my dog on the plane as a carry on.

Hope this helps,

-jim