Food, Beverages, Kitchen Utensils, and Infants' Toys

Top PageImporting Regulated ItemsFood, Beverages, Kitchen Utensils, and Infants' Toyss

How to Import Food, Beverages, Kitchen Utensils, and Infants' Toys

Food Sanitation Act

Food, beverages, kitchen utensils, and infants' toys, and other products that can be taken into people's mouth are regulated by Food Sanitation Act in Japan.

Food Import by Non-Resident Importers

By taking responsibility for compliance with the Food Sanitation Act and other related regulations, an ACP enables non-resident importers to import these products. When importing, it is necessary to submit a Notification of Importation of Food, undergo ingredient inspection, and ensure product labeling. Therefore, it is important to select an ACP capable of handling these tasks.

Food Import Flow

Items regulated by Food Sanitation Act are imported in the following manner.

Labeling

Food labeling is extremely important for the safety of consumers. It is mandatory for the manufacturers or importers to state the ingredients, expiration date, nutritional information, etc., on the packages of food and beverages. For imported food products, the importer is responsible for labeling, but overseas companies cannot state their information as the importer. Therefore, ACP's company information will be included as the responsible entity.

Furthermore, the display of recycling marks on packaging is also mandatory.

All these require good knowledge and expertise about food labeling, so it is very important that you appoint an appropriate ACP to help you import food products.

Food Label Example

Food Container Label Example

Recycle Marks

Expected Costs

Food Import Notification and Customs Handling Service :

50,000 ～300,000 JPY

Testing Costs : 20,000円～/substance

<PSE Act> Other Possible Concerning Laws

Juicers, coffee makers, blenders and other electric appliances with AC adapters are regulated by Electrical Appliances and Material Safety Act. Importers may need to experience a long process over months and millions yen investment in order to clear this regulation. See this page for more details.. See this page for more details.

<PMD Act and Health Promoting Act> Other Possible Concerning Laws

You are not allowed to state any medical or health-promoting effects about dietary supplements and other health food which have been imported as simple foods. In order to state such effects, you will need to submit clinical proofs and obtain approval from the applicable authorities subject to PMD Act or Health Promoting Act.

It's also important to note that some ingredients are only allowed to be used in pharmaceutical products.

Please visit this page to learn more about PMD Act.

Management of Best-Before Date

FBA (Fulfilment By Amazon) has special requirement for sellers of items that has best-before or expiration dates. Learn more about this here or contact Seller Central.