Frequently Asked Questions and Contact Information
Q2 | : | Where can I have an export inspection conducted? |
A | : | An export inspection may be conducted at any nationwide plant protection station prior to or on the day of export. Please be advised to make a reservation for inspection with a plant protection station where you expect your product to be inspected. It should be noted that we may not accept your application for export inspection depending on quarantine conditions of export counterparts (e.g. import is prohibited/special export inspections such as those conducted at cultivation areas are required/you have not obtained an import permit in cases where you need to do so in advance). Please contact a plant protection station, a plant quarantine organization of that country or the foreign embassy in Japan to ask for quarantine conditions of the country you are planning to export your product to in advance. Ministry of the Foreign Affairs website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/protocol/index.html Plant protection station: https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/introduction/english_exp.html#chart |
Q5 | : | Do I need to pay any commission for export inspection? |
A | : | You don’t need to pay any commission in Japan. |
Q10 | : | How can I send seedling of plants or seeds to my acquaintance who lives overseas? |
A | : | Depending on export counterparts or types of plants to be sent, it is prohibited to export the plants, you need to obtain an import permit in advance from the export counterpart or an inspection at growing areas is required. Moreover, since many countries prohibit soil from being imported, it is difficult to send seedling with soil. For quarantine conditions, contact the nearest plant protection station, a plant quarantine organization of the export counterpart or its embassy in Japan in advance. You may also check quarantine conditions in "information on simple search for travelers" and "detailed information on conditions of export and import" on this website. Moreover, there are some restrictions on bringing registered varieties protected under the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act. For more details, see the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.http://www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/en/en_top.html |
Q14 | : | Can I export bonsai of Japanese white pine? |
A | : | You may export to some countries if it goes through an export inspection. However, other countries prohibit its import. Moreover, many countries prohibit soil from being imported so that the import of bonsai planted in soil is prohibited in the same way. We recommend you to directly contact the nearest plant protection station, a plant quarantine organization of the export counterpart or its embassy in Japan. |
Q15 | : | Does the export of cactus or orchid seedling require inspections? |
A | : | It depends on a country which it will be exported to. Please contact the nearest plant protection station, a plant quarantine organization of the export counterpart or its embassy in Japan. Moreover, it is prohibited to export and import some of cactus or orchid species under the Washington Convention. For more details, see the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/CITES/about_cites.html |
Q17 | : | When I intend to export plants overseas, are there any restrictions other than plant quarantines? |
A | : | ・New plant varieties/breeder's rightIt is restricted to bring registered varieties protected under the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act out of Japan. http://www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/en/en_top.html ・TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power PlantSome countries impose restrictions on radioactive materials. https://www.maff.go.jp/e/export/reference.html CITES (Washington Convention) It is restricted to trade some plants under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington Convention). https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/CITES/about_cites.html |