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動物検疫所

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Bringing animal products into Japan from overseas(by baggage, international parcels)

icon_arrowThis is a guidance for bringing meat or animal products into Japan. 
  If you take animal products out from Japan, see the guidance on "Taking anilmal products out".

African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, avian influenza and other animal infectious diseases are spreading all over the world.

Generally it’s difficult to get inspection certificates issued by the exporting country’s government for animal products for personal use, therefore you cannot bring in most of animal products.

Above rules apply if they’re for yourself, gifts, bought in a shop (including at an airport), home grown, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed.


Several people have been arrested on suspicion of illegally importing livestock products using international parcels.
If you bring meat or animal products illegally, you can also be arrested. Violators would be punishable with imprisonment or fine.

Please note before you come to Japan:

As of 1st July 2020,
due to the amendment of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control;

The existing penalty of a fine of up to 1 million yen will be raised to up to 3 million yen.

If you bring meat or animal products, you would be punishable with imprisonment for not more than 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen(up to 50 million yen for businesses) . 

Animal Quarantine Officer can ask if you have any animal products and inspect your luggage.

Animal Quarantine Officer has the authority to dispose of meat or animal products that have been brought illegally.


There have been cases are arrests on the charge of bringing meat or animal products illegally.

If you failed to declare meat or animal products and found them in your luggage, you will be found punishable.

・As Animal Quarantine Service will need to record your passport and boarding pass, the import inspections will take time

Positive cases of genetic test/virus isolation test for ASF virus in pork products brought into Japan NEWアイコン

Virus isolated from unheated personal belongings denied of importation(PDF : 36KB)

Illegal Export and Import Cases(PDF : 195KB)NEWアイコン


No meat/meat products

Penalty for illegal bringing in of meat products more stringently(PDF : 455KB)

To everyone traveling overseas or entering Japan(PDF : 967KB)

See more  

Quarantine detector dogs

We introduce animal/plant quarantine detector at international airports and post offices.
Quarantine detector dogs are training to scent out and find meat products and plants in both check-in/carry-on baggages which are required animal and plant quarantine. They play a vital role in helping to protect Japan from animal diseases, such as African Swine fever, Foot and Mouth disease, Avian influenza, and plant pests, such as Fruit flies.

<ATTENTION!>
There’s a possibility that detector dogs get distracted if they are spoken to by many people.
We kindly ask you not to touch them and watch them over.


           
Quarantine detector dog
 


In order to bring animal products into Japan from overseas:

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1.Check whether it is subject to animal quarantine

This applies to items derived from the folliowing: cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, pig, sheep, goat and deer), horses, poultry, dogs, rabbits and bees.
*Poultry as defined as:Chicken, quail, pheasant, ostrich, guinea fowl, turkey, as well as duck, geese and other anseriformes.

  • Meat and organ
    Any type of meat / organ (such as raw, processed product, refrigerated, frozen, cooked, etc.) is subject to animal quarantine.
    Examples of processed products: Jerky, ham, sausages, bacon, meat buns, etc.meat
  • Eggs (including eggshells)
  • Bones, fat, blood, skin, hair, feathers, horns, hooves, tendons
    Finished products, such as leather bags and woolen sweaters, are excluded.
  • Semen, fertilized eggs, unfertilized eggs, feces, urine
  • Raw milk and other Dairy products (excluding those imported in passenger baggage) (see more)
  • Straw and hay for feedcertain areas

 

2.Check to make sure that importation is not prohibited or suspended

There are countries and regions from which items cannot be brought into Japan due to the outbreak of domestic animal diseases in those counties or regions.

See here for countries and regions from which imports have been suspended due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, etc.

See here for countries and regions from which imports have been suspended due to outbreaks of avian influenza

In addition, the importing of deer-derived products from countries and regions affected by CWD (chronic wasting disease) has been suspended.

 

3.Obtaining an inspection certificate

Items without a government-issued inspection certificate from the exporting country cannot be brought into Japan, even if they are souvenirs or for personal consumption.

In countries such as Australia and New Zealand, there are products that are sold with an inspection certificate for Japan attached to them.

4.Undergo import inspection by Animal Quarantine Service when you arrive in Japan

You need to undergo import inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service counter in the baggage claim area of the arrival airport or seaport.

Please be aware that even items that are allowed to be brought into Japan may not be allowed if they have been opened prior to being inspected by Animal Quarantine Service.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

Q1:Is it possible to bring in commercial meat products that have been vacuum sealed?

A1:Items that are banned or suspended from being imported and items without an inspection certificate cannot be brought in, even if they are vacuum-sealed.

Q2: Is it possible to bring in any heat processed products?

A2:Items that are banned or suspended from being imported and items without an inspection certificate cannot be brought in, even if they have been heated processed.

Q3:I was told by a shop assistant in the duty-free shop that I would be able to bring it in. Is this true?

A3:Items that are banned or suspended from being imported and items without an inspection certificate cannot be brought in, even if they have been purchased at a duty-free store.

Q4:Can I bring any items if there is only a small amount for personal consumption?

A4:Items that are banned or suspended from being imported and items without an inspection certificate cannot be brought in, even if it is a small quantity as a souvenir or for personal consumption.

 

 

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Due to outbreaks of domestic animal diseases in other countries, most meat and other animal products cannot be brought into Japan.