7. Importation Requirements

Foods with Nutrient Function Claims (FNFC)
Japan

This section provides information on the importation process (shipment, customs, licenses required, and tests requirements).

7.1 Shipment Declaration

General Food

Prior to first-time import to Japan, or when there are changes to the product (e.g., ingredient composition, manufacturing method), it is recommended to have a pre-import consultation with the Food Surveillance Office of the MHLW at a local Quarantine Office by preparing documents in Japanese that explain product details such as product specification, list of ingredients (including additives and processing aids), and the manufacturing method [1]. Pre-import consultation is intended for importers located in Japan.

Documents required to be submitted during import notification/declaration shall also be prepared in advance. All required documents are listed in Section 7.2 - Customs Procedure - below.

Category

Same as above.

Product

Same as above.

7.2 Customs Procedure

General Food [2]

1. Outline of Import Clearance

Any person wishing to import goods must declare them to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an import permit after the necessary examination of the goods concerned. The formalities start with the lodging of an import declaration and end with the issuance of an import permit after the necessary examination and payment of Customs duty and excise tax. In this way, measures are taken to ensure the fulfillment of the requirements for the control of foreign exchange and other regulations concerning the importation of goods.

2. Import Declaration 

(1) Completion and Submission of Import Declarations

Declaration must be made by lodging an import (Customs duty payment) declaration describing the quantity and value of goods as well as any other required particulars. This import declaration must be made, in general, after the goods have been taken into a Hozei area or other specially designated zone.

(2) Declarant

Import declaration must be made, in principle, by the person who is importing the goods. Usually, a Customs broker files the declaration as a proxy for importers.

(3) Documents to Be Submitted

An import (Customs duty payment) declaration form must be prepared in triplicate and submitted to Customs with the following documents:

1. Invoice
2. Bill of lading or Air Waybill
3. The certificate of origin (where a WTO rate is applicable)
4. Generalized system of preferences, certificates of origin (Form A) (where a preferential rate is applicable)
5. Packing lists, freight accounts, insurance certificates, etc. (where deemed necessary)
6. Licenses, certificates, etc. required by laws and regulations other than the Customs Law (when the import of certain goods is restricted under such laws and regulations)
7. Detailed statement on reductions of, or exemption from Customs duty and excise tax (when such reduction or exemption is applicable to the goods)
8. Customs duty payment slips (when goods are dutiable)

In principle, Customs requires only those additional documents necessary to ascertain important considerations for permission.

Category

Same as above.

Product

Same as above.

7.3 Manufacturing License

N/A

7.4 Test for Importation

General Food

1. Test requirements are determined by the Food Surveillance Officer of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of product.
2. There are no mandatory parameters as this is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of product.

Specific test requirements can be confirmed during pre-import consultation with the Food Surveillance Office of the MHLW at a local Quarantine Office (please refer to Section 7.1 on Shipment Declaration above). 

Category

Same as above.

Product

Same as above.

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

N/A

7.6 Overview Flowchart for Importation Process

General Food

Procedures for "Import Notification of Foods and Related Products" is available on a MHLW's webpage in English [3].

Category

Same as above.

Product

Same as above.

7.7 References

1. Pre-Import Consultation (available from the webpage of the Tokyo Quarantine Station)
https://www.forth.go.jp/keneki/tokyo/kanshi_hp/a013.html (in Japanese) 

2. Import Procedure (available from the webpage of the Japan Customs)
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/import.htm (in English)

3. Import Procedure under Food Sanitation Act (available from the website of the MHLW)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/yunyu_kanshi/kanshi/index_00004.html (in English)