Asia is one of the most requested regions we ship pets to from LAX — driven heavily by military PCS orders to Japan and Korea, along with civilian relocations to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Unlike a single-country route, "Asia" covers several very different import systems, each with its own timeline and quarantine rules.
The good news: with the right preparation, most pets entering Japan, Korea, or Hong Kong face no quarantine at all on arrival. The bad news: getting there requires hitting a sequence of deadlines exactly right, especially for Japan, where a single missed step can trigger up to 180 days of detention. Our LAX team specializes in exactly this kind of document-timing coordination.
Airlines Flying Pets from LAX to Asia
Not every airline accepts pets as cargo on every route, and policies (crate specs, embargo seasons, breed restrictions) vary by carrier. Here's what's currently flying pets direct from LAX:
Requirements by Destination
Each Asian destination runs its own import system. Here's how the four most common ones compare:
Japan
Most ComplexJapan's process runs on two separate clocks that are frequently confused: a 180-day waiting period after the rabies antibody titer blood draw (before travel), and a completely separate 40-day advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at your arrival airport. Miss the 40-day deadline and your pet can be denied entry even with every other requirement met.
Done correctly, arrival inspection at Narita, Haneda, or Kansai takes only a few hours — not the 180 days many owners mistakenly expect. That 180-day detention is a penalty for incomplete paperwork, not a standard step. Minimum realistic timeline: 7–9 months from microchip to departure.
South Korea
ModerateConsiderably more straightforward than Japan — microchip, rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within the required window before travel. No mandatory quarantine or antibody titer test for pets from the U.S. in most cases. A common and comparatively fast route for PCS families headed to Osan, Camp Humphreys, or the Seoul area.
Hong Kong
ModerateRequires an import permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) arranged in advance, plus microchip and rabies vaccination. Pets from the U.S. can generally avoid quarantine when the permit and documentation are in order before arrival.
Singapore
More InvolvedBecause the U.S. is classified as a Category C country under Singapore's import rules, dogs and cats typically face a mandatory quarantine period at an approved facility on arrival, in addition to microchip, vaccination, and licensing requirements. This is one of the few Asian destinations where quarantine is the norm rather than the exception.
Estimated Cost: LAX to Asia
Costs vary significantly by destination — Japan's extended timeline and document precision drive costs higher than the comparatively simpler Korea or Hong Kong routes:
| Destination | Typical Timeline | Estimated Total Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 7–9 months | $3,500 – $7,000+ |
| South Korea | 6–8 weeks | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Hong Kong | 6–10 weeks | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Singapore | 10–16 weeks (incl. quarantine) | $3,000 – $6,500+ |
Ranges include airline cargo fare, crate, documentation, and (where applicable) quarantine fees. Get a personalized quote for your specific pet, destination, and timeline.
Planning a Move to Asia From LAX?
Whether it's a PCS order to Japan or Korea, or a civilian relocation to Hong Kong or Singapore, we build the exact timeline your destination requires.
Get a Free LAX-to-Asia Quote