Khat → Japan

Khat prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Khat prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in Japan carries fines from JPY 5,000,000 to JPY 30,000,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Customs Law Art. 109; Narcotics Control Law; Cannabis Control Law. Because khat is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Japan with khat is a separate question: prohibited — Khat is a controlled substance in Japan — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.

Leaving with this item

Khat is a controlled substance in Japan — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.

Practical advice

Do not carry khat (Catha edulis), fresh or dried, into Japan. Japan Customs treats it as a controlled drug; carriage triggers seizure plus possible criminal charge under the local misuse-of-drugs statute. There is no permit pathway for personal use.

Customs authority

Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance) · https://www.customs.go.jp