Are you allowed to take food through customs?
Regardless of quantity or form of transportation, bringing meat products, fruits, vegetables, etc. from overseas to Japan is strictly restricted by law and must not be brought into Japan.The following articles are prohibited from entry by law:

  • Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, and other narcotic drugs (excluding those designated by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance);
  • Firearms (pistols, etc.), ammunition (bullets) thereof, and pistol parts;

Certain types of plants, such as fruit, vegetables, and rice, as well as certain types of meat, such as raw meat, dried meat, and ham, may be taken out of the country if they pass export inspection.

Can I carry curry leaves to JapanA2:When bringing plants into Japan, you are legally required to submit the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the government of exporting country and to take import inspection based on the Plant Protection Act.

What food is restricted by customs in Japan

Ban on meat/meat products and plants/plant products

In order to prevent the incursion of infectious animal diseases and harmful plant pests, importing meat, plants and products thereof in to Japan is restricted by Japanese domestic law(Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control and the Plant Protection Act).Japan strictly prohibits entry of narcotics and related utensils, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, explosives and gunpowder, precursor materials for chemical weapons, germs that are likely to be used for bioterrorism, counterfeit goods or imitation coins or currency, obscene materials, or goods that violate …

What needs to be declared at Japan customs

Japan Customs requires all passengers entering Japan to submit a Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles (Customs Declaration Form) to the customs officer in order to prevent terrorism and smuggling, and to ensure prompt and proper customs clearance.

Declare the food as "packaged snacks" which we always do. You may, or may not, be directed to the agricultural scanner lane which adds about 5 minutes to your arrival time, depending on the line (there usually isn't any). I bring food into / through USA from Japan all the time. I declared every time.

Can I bring food back from Japan to USA

Every fruit or vegetable must be declared to a Customs Border Patrol Officer and must be presented for inspection – no matter how free of pests it appears to be. Failure to declare food products can result in a $10,000 fine.Ban on meat/meat products and plants/plant products

If you illegally import meat, meat products, plants and plant products into Japan, you will be charged with a fine of up to 3 million JPY (up to 50 million JPY for business entities) or face imprisonment of up to 3 years.Japan strictly prohibits entry of narcotics and related utensils, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, explosives and gunpowder, precursor materials for chemical weapons, germs that are likely to be used for bioterrorism, counterfeit goods or imitation coins or currency, obscene materials, or goods that violate …

Bringing meat, meat products, plants and plant products into Japan is strictly prohibited.

What needs to be declared at customs in JapanThe sealed declaration must be presented at the time of clearance of the unaccompanied articles. As regulated by laws and regulations concerned, you are required to declare all the articles that you have purchased abroad or in departures/arrivals duty-free shops in Japan and are bringing into Japan.

Do you have to declare snacks at customs Japan“It is usually not necessary to declare store-bought canned, bottled or packaged food items that are highly processed and do not contain any meat. Some examples may include crackers, dried pasta, candy, jam, tea or coffee.

What foods can I bring back from Japan

Look for individually wrapped, non-fragile, and shelf-stable options to bring back.

  • 1. Japanese Kit Kat. Let's just get this out of the way up front: Do not go to Japan without trying Japanese Kit Kat!
  • Special Pocky.
  • Shiroi Koibito.
  • Matcha Tea.
  • Tokyo Banana.
  • Chinksuko.
  • Kuidaore Taro Pudding.
  • Shrimp Chips.


Flour and products made from it, from wheat to cornmeal, are allowed, as are noodles and ramen. But bid adieu to those accompanying spice packets containing egg or meat.Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.Japan Customs requires all passengers entering Japan to submit a Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles (Customs Declaration Form) to the customs officer in order to prevent terrorism and smuggling, and to ensure prompt and proper customs clearance.