CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

Dogs and cats

Importing dogs and cats from "Non designated regions" (All countries or regions other than Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam) must follow the following procedure.

• They must be identified by a microchip;
  
• They must have had a rabies vaccination administered twice or more after the microchip in implanted;
• A blood sample must be sent to a designated laboratory for a rabies antibody test;
• They must arrive in Japan within the "effective period of the rabies vaccination" and the "validity period of the rabies antibody test" after at least 180 days of the blood sampling;
• The passenger must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected arrival port at least 40 days prior to arrival;
• Before departure, all dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection (pre-export inspection) by a veterinarian;
• The passenger must obtain certificates issued by the government agency of their departure country;
• After arrival in Japan, dogs and cats will be subject to an inspection by Animal Quarantine Service;
• If no problems are found in the inspection upon arrival, an Import Quarantine Certificate will be
  granted and the dog or cat can be imported;
• If the requirements are not met, the dog or cat will be subject to quarantine at the detention facility
  of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days). If no problems are found
  with the health condition of the dog or cat after completion of the quarantine period, an Import
  Quarantine Certificate will be granted and the dog or cat can be imported;
• For more information, see the MAFF guide on importing dogs and cats from "Non designated regions".

Importing dogs and cats from "designated regions" (Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii and Guam) must follow the following procedure.

• They must be identified by a microchip;
• The dog or cat must meet at least one of conditions of residence:
• They have been continuously resident in a designated region since birth;
  
• They have been continuously resident in a designated region for at least 180 days
  immediately before export to Japan;
  
• They have been continuously resident in a designated region since being directly
  imported from Japan.
  
• The passenger must notify Animal Quarantine Service at the expected arrival port at least 40 days prior to arrival;
• Before departure, all dogs and cats must undergo a clinical inspection (pre-export inspection) by a veterinarian;
• The passenger must obtain certificates issued by the government agency of their departure country;
• After arrival in Japan, dogs and cats will be subject to an inspection by Animal Quarantine Service;
• If no problems are found in the inspection upon arrival, an Import Quarantine Certificate will be
  granted and the dog or cat can be imported;
• If the requirements are not met, the dog or cat will be subject to quarantine at the detention facility
  of Animal Quarantine Service for the necessary period (up to 180 days). If no problems are found
  with the health condition of the dog or cat after completion of the quarantine period, an Import
  Quarantine Certificate will be granted and the dog or cat can be imported;
• For more information, see the MAFF guide on importing dogs and cats from "designated regions".

Other types of pets

• When you are bringing an animal into Japan, you must submit notification under the Act on Prevention of Infections.
• If the notification, including a Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the government authority of the exporting country, does not comply with regulations, the animal must be reshipped or culled. Costs are also borne by the person bringing in the animal.
• Examples of pets that are subject to this notification system are mammals such as hamsters, ferrets, hedgehogs or sugar gliders, or birds such as parrots, parakeets, pigeons or java sparrows. Dogs, cats and poultry are not subject to this notification system.
  

For further information on importing pets into Japan, please visit What is animal quarantine?

Free to Import

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 20 years and over)

• 3 bottles, at 760 mL per bottle.

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 20 years and over)

One of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars;
• 10 individual Heat-not-Burn tobacco packages (such as IQOS, glo or Ploom TECH)
• 250 grams tobacco; or
• A proportionate amount of each not exceeding 250 grams.
• Please note residents of Japan and entitled to half of the amounts of tobacco listed above.

Currency

• There are no restrictions on the importation of currency into Japan.
• Any amount exceeding �1 million must be declared to Customs.

Other Goods

• 2 ounces of perfume.
• Clothes, toiletries, and other personal effects within an appropriate quantity.
• Other items up to �200,000 are free to import.
• Items under the value of �10,000 are free to import and are not included in above total.
• Individual items with a value of �200,000 or more cannot be included in duty free allowance.
• 100 kg per year of rice may be imported free of charge.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, and other narcotic drugs (excluding those designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance).
• Firearms, ammunition, and gun parts.
• Explosives, such as dynamite and gunpowder.
• Precursor materials for chemical weapons.
• Counterfeit, altered, or imitation coins or notes, securities, and forged credit cards.
• Any obscene or immoral materials which may harm public safety or morals.
• Child pornography.
• Articles which infringe upon intellectual property rights.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Passengers must notify Japan's quarantine service at least 40 days before their trip if they intend to bring an animal to Japan, and must hold approval to enter the country with the animal.
• Plants and animals must be presented to the plant or animal quarantine officer for quarantine inspection prior to customs examination.
• Hunting guns, air guns and swords need a permit for entry to Japan.
• Pharmaceutical products and cosmetics are subject to quantity restrictions. For further information, please visit the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
• Gold with more than 90% purity needs to be declared if importing more than 1kg.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Export

• Some tobacco and alcohol for personal use.
• Gifts and duty free shopping done in Japan.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• All items in prohibited to import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Gold with more than 90% purity needs to be declared if exporting more than 1kg.

For further information, please visit Japan Customs.