What Procedures are Required for Bringing Meat Products (Meat or Processed Meat Products) into Japan?

Bringing meat products (beef, beef jerky, sausage, etc.,) into Japan is permitted from some countries and prohibited from other countries due to outbreaks of illnesses or diseases that affect livestock, etc.

Even in the case of countries from which meat may be brought in, it will be necessary to receive an inspection in the country of origin that satisfies Japanese standards and obtain an inspection certificate issued by the government authority. No meat products can be brought into Japan without this inspection certificate. This requirement applies to any import irrespective of the use or quantity: it should be noted that import of such products for souvenir, personal consumption or commercial sample, no matter how small the quantity is, needs to obtain an  inspection certificate issued by the government authority.

Importation of beef meat, bovine organ, and any other products of bovine origin such as sausages, hams etc. from EU member countries, Switzerland , Liechtenstein, Canada and U.S.A. is temporarily suspended due to the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy outbreaks in several countries.

Classification of Import-prohibition Areas for cloven-hoofed Animals and their Meat, etc. (Summary)（PDF：95KB）

 

It is possible to import from Canada and U.S.A only beef and beef offal which is produced at the designated facility under the Export Program for Japan. (2006 Jul. 27)
However, it is impossible to import from Canada and U.S.A beef products (e.g. beef jerky, ham, sausage) into Japan.

 

 

Meat products bearing an inspection certificate intended for entry into Japan are sold at duty-free shops and other outlets in the U.S. (including Hawaii, Guam and Saipan), Canada, Australia and New Zealand , and only those with the certificate, can be brought into Japan.

Examples of Inspection of certificates attached to an animal product（PDF：496KB）

To import fresh meat (including poultry), sausages, hams, bacon or any other meat products from Europe to Japan, an Animal Health Certificate issued by the animal health authority of the exporting country is required. Please be aware that there is no such product with pre-attached certificate at tax-free shops in Europe. Please contact Government Veterinary Office of each country to ask for the certificate.

Furthermore, because of recent Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) outbreaks in several countries, you will not be permitted to bring beef meat, bovine organ, and any other products of bovine origin such as sausages, hams etc. from EU member countries, Switzerland ,Liechtenstein, Canada and U.S.A. into Japan. This also applies to all those products purchased at tax-free shops in Europe or at the airport.

Bones, Eggs, Fat, Blood, Skins, hides, pelts, etc., Fur, hair, Feathers, down, Horns, antlers, Hooves, Goods processed from any of the above, etc.