Meat Products → Japan

Strict animal quarantine; most meat prohibited

Details

Japan's Animal Quarantine Service enforces strict controls on meat imports. Most meat from most countries is prohibited due to BSE, foot-and-mouth, and avian influenza concerns. Only meat from MAFF-approved facilities in approved countries is accepted. All meat products must be declared. Enforcement in Japan carries fines from JPY 100,000 to JPY 5,000,000 under Customs Law (Kanzeihō) Art. 110, Art. 111 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Leaving Japan with meat products is a separate question — restricted: Meat products for personal consumption may face export limits from Japan for animal-health documentation reasons; commercial quantities require an Export Health Certificate.

Quantity limit

Only from MAFF-approved origins

Documentation required

• Quarantine declaration

Legal reference

Animal Quarantine Law

Leaving with this item

Meat products for personal consumption may face export limits from Japan for animal-health documentation reasons; commercial quantities require an Export Health Certificate.

Practical advice

Declare all meat products. Most will be confiscated unless from approved origins.

Customs authority

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