1804 Customs confirmation requirements concerning import restrictions in accordance with the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law (FAQ)

The Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law designates certain import goods as quarantine-required items and certain other goods as prohibited items from importation, for the purpose of preventing animal infectious diseases from entering Japan or spreading in Japan. Those who desire to import those designated goods must receive either a certification issued by the Animal Quarantine Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries or an authorization by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Such designated restricted goods include artiodactyls such as bovines, pigs, sheep and lambs , equine animals, domestic fowls (poultry, quail, pheasant, ostrich, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, turkeys and quails), rabbits and their meat, internal organs and eggs, bees, sausages, ham, rice straw, etc.

All of those designated goods are unconditionally subject to import restriction provisions, regardless of whether they are imported in the form of regular freight, hand luggage, international parcel post or other, and regardless of their import volume or import purposes such as for a gift, private consumption, etc.

For importing those restricted goods, it is necessary to submit to Customs a certificate of completed import quarantine issued by the Animal Quarantine Service on the basis of inspection results, and also obtain Customs confirmation that the goods have passed inspections required by the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law and have obtained necessary permissions.

As for those goods imported in the form of parcel post or hand luggage, the customs will make sure of their passing inspections, etc. by referring to a seal confirming “completed quarantine” stamped by the Animal Quarantine Station on the good’s container or package.

There are many animals, meats, etc. which are prohibited or suspended from importation. For detailed information, please contact the Animal Quarantine Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(Article 70 of the Customs Law, item 1, section 3, paragraph 70 of the General Notification of the Customs Law, Article 36, 37, 40 and 44 of the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law, and Article 45 of the Rules of Enforcement of the said Law)

Inquiries (Animal Quarantine Service)