Is quarantine required when importing a Shiba Inu into the EU?

No. If your Shiba arrives with a valid microchip, rabies vaccine (21+ days old), and an EU-endorsed health certificate from a listed country, no quarantine is required. Quarantine only applies if documents are missing or non-compliant.

Can I import a Shiba Inu puppy under 15 weeks old?

No. EU rules require a rabies vaccination given after microchipping followed by a 21-day waiting period, so the minimum legal import age is 15 weeks. Breeders sending puppies earlier would be breaking both EU and Japanese export law.

How much does it cost to import a Shiba Inu to the EU?

Budget €2,000-€5,500 total: €1,400-€2,500 for the dog from a reputable breeder (more for show quality), €300-€500 for paperwork and vet work, and €1,500-€4,000 for air cargo if the dog cannot fly in-cabin. Female Shibas under 8 kg often fly in-cabin, saving significantly.

Can I bring my Shiba Inu from the UK to the EU after Brexit?

Yes, but with extra steps. Since 2021, UK dogs need an EU AHC issued by an Official Veterinarian, an ISO microchip, and a rabies vaccine, and must enter through a Travellers' Point of Entry. An Animal Health Certificate is valid for 10 days for entry and 4 months for onward travel.

Importing a Shiba Inu into the EU: Complete Owner's Guide

Yes, you can import a Shiba Inu into the EU, but your dog must have an ISO 15-digit microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping (with a 21-day wait for first vaccines), and an EU-compliant pet passport or AHC. Puppies must be at least 15 weeks old before entry, and you must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry.

Importing a Shiba Inu into the European Union is straightforward if you follow EU pet movement rules, but the paperwork is non-negotiable. Whether your dog is coming from Japan, the United States, the UK, or another country, the EU treats your Shiba Inu as a personal import of a companion animal — not a commercial dog — and applies one unified regulation. Fail the documentation, and your dog can be refused entry, placed in quarantine, or sent back at your expense.

The governing regulation is EU Regulation (EC) No 576/2013 for non-commercial movement of pet dogs. Below is everything you need to bring your Shiba Inu in legally and stress-free.

What Documents Does My Shiba Inu Need?

Three documents are mandatory for every dog entering the EU:

ISO 15-digit microchip — implanted before the rabies vaccine is given. The EU reads only ISO 11784/11785 chips; if your Shiba has an AVID or other 9-digit chip from the US, bring a scanner or get a second ISO chip implanted.
Rabies vaccination certificate — administered after the microchip, using an inactivated or recombinant vaccine. First-time vaccines require a 21-day waiting period before travel. The certificate must list the chip number, vaccine manufacturer, batch number, and validity dates.
EU Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport — issued by a USDA-accredited (or equivalent) veterinarian and endorsed by the relevant government agency (USDA APHIS for the US, MAFF for Japan, DEFRA/APHA for the UK). The certificate becomes valid 10 days after issue and is generally valid for 10 days for entry, then up to 4 months of intra-EU travel once stamped.

How Old Must a Shiba Puppy Be?

Because rabies vaccines are licensed only from 12 weeks and a 21-day wait follows the first dose, the minimum import age is 15 weeks. Importing a younger Shiba puppy into the EU is illegal under current rules, even if the puppy has had two vaccines. This is why most ethical Japanese Shiba breeders do not release puppies internationally before 16-20 weeks anyway.

Which Countries Can My Dog Enter From?

The EU maintains a list of approved "listed third countries" for direct entry. These include Japan, the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UAE, and most of Europe. Dogs from countries not on the list (or after a stopover in one) may need rabies titre testing (FAVN blood test) and a longer 3-month waiting period in the origin country.

Where Can I Cross the Border?

Your Shiba must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry (TPE) — typically a major international airport such as Frankfurt, Paris CDG, Amsterdam Schiphol, Madrid, Rome Fiumicino, or Helsinki Vantaa, plus designated land border crossings. At the TPE, an official veterinarian will verify chip, vaccine, and health certificate. Bring printed copies and pay the inspection fee (varies by country, usually €20-€50).

How Many Dogs Can I Bring?

For non-commercial movement, the limit is 5 pets per person traveling together. Above that, the shipment is treated as commercial and requires full customs, veterinary, and CITES-style compliance — a different, much heavier process. For Shiba Inus, importing one or two is by far the most common route.

Costs to Budget

Microchip (if not already implanted): €30-€60
Rabies vaccine: €40-€80
USDA/MAFF-endorsed health certificate: $150-$300 USD
EU import inspection fee: €20-€50
Air cargo (if dog flies unaccompanied in hold): €1,500-€4,000 depending on size and route
In-cabin escort fee (if under 8 kg including carrier, with airline approval): €200-€800 one-way

The Shiba's small size (males ~10 kg, females ~8 kg) means many fit airline in-cabin weight limits, especially females, which is a real cost-saver.

Practical Tips for Importing a Shiba Inu

Book the official vet appointment last — the EU health certificate is valid for only 10 days, so coordinate with arrival dates.
Transliterate kanji correctly — Japanese export pedigrees from NIPPO or JKC must show the dog's registered name in Latin characters with microchip and breeder details.
Check breed-specific rules — countries like Germany and the Netherlands list the Shiba Inu under their dog control acts in some regions, but import is still legal. Verify with your destination city's veterinary office (Ordnungsamt, mairie, etc.).
Health screen before travel — a Japanese-style Shiba should be screened for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye disease (glaucoma, PRA, cataracts), and hypothyroidism. CHIC-equivalent documentation protects you later if you plan to breed.
Crate train early — a Shiba puppy who has learned to relax in a travel crate will handle a 12-hour flight dramatically better. Start crate sessions weeks in advance.

Importing a Shiba Inu into the EU is very achievable and is done routinely by owners seeking Japanese bloodlines from Shinshu, Mino, or San'in kennels. Plan paperwork 2-3 months ahead, work with a reputable breeder who understands export logistics, and your Shiba will arrive cleared, legal, and ready for its new European life.