Import Notification for Foods, etc.

Overview

Import Notification for Foods, etc. is the procedure required when importing foods, food additives, food utensils, containers, packaging, and certain designated toys for the purpose of sale or business use in Japan.

It is based on Article 27 of the Food Sanitation Act. In practice, it is usually submitted to the quarantine station before customs clearance.

This procedure is one of the most important import-related regulatory steps for food-related cargo. If the required notification is not made, the products cannot be sold or used for business in Japan.

For importers, customs brokers and freight forwarders, the key point is to confirm the need for notification before shipment, not after the cargo arrives in Japan.

What Is Reviewed in the Notification?

In an import notification, the importer provides information about the imported goods to the quarantine station.

The information may include product name, quantity, weight, country of origin, manufacturer, factory, exporter, ingredients, additives, manufacturing method, intended use, packaging form and other product details.

At the quarantine station, food sanitation inspectors review the notification and decide whether the products comply with the Food Sanitation Act and whether inspection or additional documents are required.

The review is not a simple customs formality. It is a food safety review that may directly affect whether the cargo can move to customs clearance and domestic distribution.

Products That May Require Notification

Import notification may be required for more than ordinary food products.

The scope may include:

• Foods
• Food additives
• Food utensils
• Food containers and packaging
• Certain designated toys for infants or young children

This means that products such as tableware, cooking tools, food storage containers, food packaging materials and certain toys may require food sanitation review even if they are not edible.

The practical question is not only what the invoice says. Importers and forwarders should check how the product will be used, whether it contacts food, and whether it is imported for sale or business use.

When Notification Is Required

Import notification is generally required when products are imported for sale or for use in business.

Examples may include:

• Importing food products for retail sale
• Importing ingredients for use in restaurants
• Importing raw materials for food manufacturing
• Importing food additives
• Importing food-contact containers or packaging
• Importing tableware, kitchenware or cooking utensils for sale
• Importing designated toys for infants or young children

By contrast, small quantities imported for personal use may be treated differently from commercial imports. In practice, the import purpose, actual use and sale plan must be confirmed at an early stage.

Basic Flow of the Procedure

The basic import notification flow is as follows:

• Confirm whether the cargo is subject to the Food Sanitation Act
• Collect product information from the overseas supplier
• Prepare documents such as ingredient lists, specifications and manufacturing process information
• Prepare the Notification Form for Importation of Foods, etc.
• Submit the notification to the quarantine station
• The quarantine station conducts document review
• Additional documents or inspection may be requested if necessary
• After compliance is confirmed, the cargo can proceed to customs clearance

If no problem is found, the notification certificate is issued and the importer can proceed with import customs procedures.

If inspection or additional confirmation is required, cargo release may be delayed until the issue is resolved.

Information Usually Required

A product name alone is not enough for import notification. The quarantine station needs enough information to assess whether the product complies with Japanese food sanitation requirements.

Information commonly needed includes:

• Product name
• Country of origin
• Manufacturer name and factory information
• Exporter name
• Ingredients
• Food additives
• Manufacturing or processing method
• Intended use
• Quantity and weight
• Packaging form
• Material information for utensils, containers and packaging

For processed foods, ingredients, additives and manufacturing process are especially important. For utensils, containers, packaging and toys, material information and intended use are often key points.

Documents Often Needed

Depending on the product, the importer may need to obtain documents from the overseas manufacturer or exporter before shipment.

Useful documents may include:

• Product specification
• Ingredient list
• Additive list
• Manufacturing process chart
• Certificate of analysis
• Test report
• Material certificate for food-contact products
• Product catalogue
• Product photographs
• Storage condition information
• Factory information

If the documents are incomplete, the quarantine station review may not proceed smoothly, and the cargo may be delayed at the port or airport.

Inspection Risk

Even after a notification is submitted, inspection may be required depending on the product, origin, ingredients, additives, manufacturing process, past violation history or inspection category.

Inspection may relate to food additives, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, microbiological standards, prohibited substances or other food sanitation requirements.

If the product is subject to inspection, the importer may need to arrange testing and wait for the result before the cargo can be released.

For refrigerated, frozen, perishable or short shelf-life products, this can create additional risks such as storage charges, temperature-control costs, delivery delay and loss of commercial value.

Why Pre-Shipment Confirmation Is Important

The most important practical point is to check the notification requirement and necessary documents before shipment or even before placing the purchase order.

For first-time imports, new suppliers or products with complex ingredients, it may take time to confirm ingredients, additives, manufacturing process, material composition or test results.

If these points are first discovered after arrival, the cargo may be held while the importer obtains documents from the overseas supplier.

This can lead to bonded storage charges, demurrage, detention, inspection costs, missed delivery dates, disposal, return shipment or customer disputes.

Food Additives and Ingredients

For food products, the importer must check whether the ingredients and additives comply with Japanese standards.

An additive that is commonly used in another country may not be permitted in Japan, or may be permitted only for certain food categories or within specific limits.

The importer should therefore obtain a full ingredient list and additive list from the overseas manufacturer.

For processed foods, health foods, supplements, confectionery, beverages, sauces and seasonings, this check is especially important because several ingredients and additives may be involved.

Utensils, Containers and Packaging

Food-contact products may also require import notification.

Examples include food storage containers, tableware, cooking tools, paper cups, plastic containers, food packaging films and food-contact parts of machinery.

For these products, the importer should confirm the food-contact surface, material, use temperature, intended food type and whether test reports or material certificates are available.

A product described as “miscellaneous goods” or “kitchenware” may still require food sanitation review if it is intended to contact food.

Designated Toys

Certain toys intended for infants or young children may also be subject to food sanitation review.

The reason is that infants may put toys in their mouths, creating a potential health risk if harmful substances are present.

Importers should check whether the product falls within the designated toy category and whether the necessary material or test information is available.

Freight forwarders should not assume that toys are outside food sanitation regulation simply because they are not food.

Relationship With Other Regulations

Completing the food import notification does not mean that all sales requirements are cleared.

After import, the product may still need review under food labeling rules, advertising rules, the Premiums and Representations Act, the Health Promotion Act, the PMD Act, plant quarantine, animal quarantine or other import-related regulations.

For example, a health food may need food sanitation review at import, but its sales claims may also need to be checked under advertising and health-product rules.

A food-contact electrical appliance may require both food-contact material review and separate electrical appliance review.

Practical Points for Importers

Importers should confirm whether the product is subject to import notification before shipment.

They should also collect the necessary documents from the overseas supplier early, especially for first-time imports or new products.

If ingredients, additives, manufacturing process, material information or intended use are unclear, the importer should resolve the issue before cargo loading.

Where the regulatory position is unclear, advance consultation with the quarantine station should be considered.

Practical Points for Overseas Suppliers

Overseas suppliers should understand that Japanese importers may need detailed information before shipment.

This may include ingredients, additives, manufacturing process, specifications, test results, material composition and product-use information.

A statement that the product is legally sold in the exporting country is not enough. Japan may have different food sanitation standards.

If documents are not available until after shipment, the cargo may be delayed at the Japanese port or airport.

Practical Points for Freight Forwarders

For freight forwarders and customs brokers, import notification for foods is directly connected with delivery schedule and cargo release.

If the need for notification is discovered only after cargo arrival, the shipment may stop at the port or airport while the importer obtains missing documents.

When handling foods, beverages, confectionery, health foods, seasonings, food additives, tableware, cooking tools or food packaging materials, the forwarder should confirm whether import notification may be required before shipment or air booking.

Forwarders should not decide only by product name. They should ask about actual use, food-contact function, material, ingredients and sales purpose where relevant.

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes include assuming that a food product can be imported because it is legally sold overseas, or treating a food-contact product as ordinary miscellaneous goods without checking food sanitation requirements.

Other mistakes include:

• Missing import notification before customs clearance
• Insufficient ingredient or additive information
• Unclear manufacturing process
• Unknown food-contact material
• No test report for first-time import products
• Not allowing time for inspection
• Overlooking other laws after completing food sanitation review

These mistakes can lead to cargo delay, storage costs, additional testing, re-export, disposal or sales problems after import.

Checklist Before Shipment to Japan

Before shipping food-related cargo to Japan, check the following points:

• Is the product food, food additive, food utensil, container, packaging or designated toy?
• Is it imported for sale or business use?
• Is import notification required?
• Are ingredient and additive details available?
• Is the manufacturing process clear?
• For food-contact products, is the food-contact material clear?
• Are product specifications and test reports available where needed?
• Is inspection likely?
• Has the importer allowed enough time for quarantine station review?
• Are other import-related laws or sales regulations relevant?

Key Takeaway

Import Notification for Foods, etc. is a key procedure under the Food Sanitation Act when importing food-related products for sale or business use in Japan.

The scope includes not only foods, but also food additives, food utensils, containers, packaging and certain designated toys.

In practice, importers and forwarders should confirm the need for notification, required documents, ingredients, additives, materials, intended use and inspection risk before shipment.

Early preparation is the best way to avoid customs delays, storage charges, inspection problems, disposal, re-export and sales trouble after arrival in Japan.