Products that use any meat at all cannot be brought in, even when meat is not the main ingredient.
Meat buns, dumplings containing meat, hamburgers, ham sandwiches and gimbap are named. Cooking, vacuum packing or duty-free purchase makes no difference.
Meat buns or dumplings at the Japanese border
This is decided when you land in Japan, by the quarantine services. Airport security at your departure airport is a separate check.
Products that use any meat at all cannot be brought in, even when meat is not the main ingredient. Meat buns, dumplings containing meat, hamburgers, ham sandwiches and gimbap are named. Cooking, vacuum packing or duty-free purchase makes no difference.
- Named as not allowed
- meat buns, dumplings containing meat, chicken feet, ham sandwiches, hamburgers, gimbap
- Rule
- products that use any meat at all cannot be brought in
- Excluded from quarantine (Standard 31)
- dried ingredients in industrially made cup-type instant food that is finished by adding hot water directly to the cup
- Penalty
- a custodial sentence of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for businesses)
Declaring meat buns or dumplings when you arrive
Plant and animal quarantine inspectors check personal baggage at airports and seaports, may ask to see the contents of your baggage, and use quarantine detector dogs to find prohibited items.
If you bring meat buns or dumplings into Japan without declaring
A custodial sentence of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for businesses).
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring dumplings or meat buns to Japan?
Products that use any meat at all cannot be brought in, even when meat is not the main ingredient. Meat buns, dumplings containing meat, hamburgers, ham sandwiches and gimbap are named. Cooking, vacuum packing or duty-free purchase makes no difference.
Is a sandwich with a slice of ham a problem?
Yes. Ham sandwiches are named among the products that cannot be brought in, because products that use any meat at all are covered.
Are dumplings or gimbap with only a little meat allowed?
No. Besides products where meat is the main ingredient, products that use any meat at all cannot be brought in, including meat buns, dumplings, hamburgers and gimbap.
Are instant cup noodles with dried meat pieces banned too?
Dried ingredients in an industrially made cup-type instant food that is finished by adding hot water directly to the cup are excluded from the quarantine rules under Standard 31 of the Exclusion Criteria.
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