No, in almost every case. Meat and meat products need an inspection certificate from the exporting country's government, even if cooked or vacuum packed.
Most meat and meat products cannot be brought into Japan: an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country's government is required and is difficult to get for personal use. This applies even to gifts and to products bought at an airport shop, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed.
Meat 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.
Most meat and meat products cannot be brought into Japan: an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country's government is required and is difficult to get for personal use. This applies even to gifts and to products bought at an airport shop, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed.
- 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)
- Needed to bring any in
- an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country's government, plus import inspection on arrival
- No exception for
- gifts, airport shop purchases, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed products
- Sold with a certificate
- some products in countries such as Australia and New Zealand carry an inspection certificate for Japan
- Excluded from quarantine
- products such as canned goods that clearly pose no risk of spreading disease because of how they are manufactured (Exclusion Criteria)
Declaring meat when you arrive
A product that has an inspection certificate must go through import inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service counter in the baggage claim area of the arrival airport or seaport.
If you bring meat 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). Undeclared meat found in luggage is punishable, officers can dispose of it, and there have been arrests.
Why Japan checks meat
Animal quarantine exists to keep livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever out of Japan, and meat can carry them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring meat to Japan?
Most meat and meat products cannot be brought into Japan: an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country's government is required and is difficult to get for personal use. This applies even to gifts and to products bought at an airport shop, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed.
Can I bring meat if it is vacuum packed, cooked or bought at the airport?
No. The rules apply even if the product is for yourself, a gift, bought in a shop including at an airport, home made, heat processed or vacuum packed.
What happens if I do not declare meat?
If undeclared meat is found in your luggage you are punishable: a custodial sentence of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen. Animal Quarantine Officers can inspect your luggage and dispose of meat brought in illegally.
Is canned meat treated differently?
Products such as canned goods that clearly pose no risk of spreading disease because of how they are manufactured are excluded from the quarantine rules. If it is unclear whether a product meets the Exclusion Criteria, the Animal Quarantine Service says to consult it before importing.
Is any meat sold with the right paperwork?
In countries such as Australia and New Zealand some products are sold with an inspection certificate for Japan attached. They still go through import inspection at the Animal Quarantine Service counter on arrival.
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