Japan: Export (product-based)

Animal products: Meat

• For importation of meat shipped fresh or frozen, a health certification (e.g., meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export is required. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in destination country before release for distribution. Meat that has been processed and packaged in such a way as to prevent spoilage during distribution, is subject to generally applicable requirements for importation of processed foods.
• Endangered species: Meat from animals protected under CITES may not be shipped for commercial purposes. In addition, particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease, with such prohibitions varying and subject to change on very short notice. Important: Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease, with such prohibitions varying and subject to change on very short notice.
• Transportation: Meat that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout the transportation. Meat that arrives out of temperature range, that was not maintained continuously at specified temperature, or has spoiled as determined by health officials in the country of import, will be condemned, requiring destruction, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threats to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect its human and animal food supply from terrorist sabotage. These measures may require pre-importation registration of the supplier, packer and/or supplier, additional supplier documentation and notice of each shipment within a specified time period prior to shipment and/or importation.

(Last updated on 2016-11-25)

Plants and plant products, including seeds, for use as food

• For an imported product to be sold as organic, it must conform to standards equivalent to EU produced goods. To ensure this, there are procedures that have to be followed for a product to be market as organic. These procedures depend on where the goods have originated.
  • Countries qualifying (equivalent countries) for EU standards:
    • Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, Tunisia, Rep. South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, USA.

(Last updated on 2022-09-06)

Food products (general)

(Last updated on 2019-08-20)

Cosmetics

Exporters should be aware that cosmetics are import-regulated in many countries with respect to:

• Safety: A typically required import admissibility document is a free sale certificate, or the equivalent, which is issued by the government or a recognized chamber of commerce in the country of export.
• Some countries ban the use of certain ingredients in cosmetics.
• Labeling: Ingredients must typically be listed on label along with safe application and use, known health risks and symptoms which indicate discontinuance of use or medical attention, and general consumer goods labeling requirements (e.g., required languages, name of manufacturer or distributor and contact information).
• Intellectual property: Counterfeit items and/or labeling is against the law and will often result in seizure by customs.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

For these reasons, it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2019-07-22)

Textiles, apparel and other textile articles (general)

Textiles and textile articles to be exported must generally meet the following criteria:

• Sanitary condition: Must be free of filth and insects.
• Used textile products may be restricted or prohibited.
• Labeling: Varies by import country, but typical requirements for apparel and certain other manufactured products:
  • Fiber content
  • Origin country
  • For consumer and general distribution end-items, required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact, care & cleaning instructions.
• Intellectual property issues: Counterfeit labeled goods are generally prohibited and subject to seizure by Customs.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute a particular brand within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

• Note: For these products, it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2024-06-28)

Other products with special requirements or restrictions

Generally prohibited exports: endangered species; illicit drugs; stolen property; and protected cultural artifacts.

• Export of the following products are generally restricted and/or controlled through various forms of export licensing, export permits and/or export authorizations which the exporter must obtain prior to export: military weapons; ammunition; explosives and firearms; conflict diamonds and minerals; and pornography as defined by the export country; products that violate national intellectual property protection law are generally prohibited (e.g., counterfeit goods, mis-branded products).
  • Note: Exporters should be aware that the import of these products is likely also prohibited or subject to import controls by the destination country. For these reasons, it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

• The Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) jointly announced the status of enforcement of the Act on Control of Export, Import and Others of Specified Hazardous Wastes & Other Wastes (Latest revision: Law No. 33, 27, Apr. 2005)
  • Also check list of Goods Subject to Prohibitions, Controls & Restrictions issued by:
    • Japan Customs & Tariff Bureau, 3-1-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku,100-8940 Tokyo.

(Last updated on 2020-01-07)