Can I take fresh food on a plane to Japan?

What the rule says

Japan follows the international rules on dangerous goods, set out by the Civil Aviation Bureau.

What that means in practice

This is the one that catches people out. Most fresh fruit and vegetables cannot be brought INTO Japan at all, no matter how they are packed. Mangoes, lychees, longans, guavas, citrus, apples, pears and chillies are all on the banned list. So are cut fruit and sandwiches from your in-flight meal. Declare anything you are carrying at the quarantine counter before customs. Bringing it in without declaring can mean up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen.

Before you get to the checkpoint

• Airlines can be stricter than the national rule. If it matters to your trip, check your airline's own page.
• If an item is refused at the checkpoint you cannot go back and check it in — you lose it.
• Japanese security staff will ask before opening your bag, and most speak enough English for this.

Why the rule is what it is

It is neither dangerous goods nor something that could be used as a weapon, so neither rule applies to it.

If it is refused

You cannot go back and check it in once you are at the screening point. It is taken from you and disposed of, and there is no compensation. Some Japanese airports have a post counter before security where you can mail it to yourself.

Who decides

The officer at the checkpoint, applying the national rules and your airline's own conditions. Where the airline is stricter, the airline wins.

You can buy this in Japan

Where to buy it

Supermarkets and depachika food halls

Worth weighing against the space it takes in your bag. Most of this is cheaper in Japan than the excess baggage fee, and hundred-yen shops carry the everyday version of almost everything.

Food and drink on a flight to Japan

Airport security rarely stops food. The Japanese border does.

• On the plane, food is only a problem when it is a liquid or has a heat source in it. Sauces, soups and yoghurt count as liquids on international flights.
• At the Japanese border the rules change completely: anything containing meat is banned, and so is most fresh fruit and veg.
• Eat your in-flight meal on board. Taking a sandwich or cut fruit off the plane counts as bringing it into Japan.
• Packaged snacks, biscuits, chocolate and instant noodles without meat are all fine.

Related items

• Bottled drinks (PET bottles)
• Water bottle / thermos
• Alcohol (bottles of sake, whisky, wine)
• Snacks and sweets
• Food and packed meals
• Self-heating meals