Imports & Customs — Japan
What travelers need to know about imports & customs in Japan. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Imports & Customs in Japan: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
Do NOT bring meat or fresh produce into Japan. Jerky, ham, salami, a leftover ham sandwich or an apple can mean up to 3 years in prison or a 3,000,000 yen fine, and travellers have been arrested. Everything else you carry is duty-free only up to 200,000 yen total.
MAFF Plant Protection Station: "Illegally bringing fruits, vegetables, etc. and meat and meat products into Japan can result in penalties such as imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for business entities)." The police are notified where the import is assessed as malicious, and MAFF states "There are people who were arrested for illegally bringing in such items." Customs-Law prohibited articles may be confiscated and discarded or ordered re-shipped.
§ MAFF Plant Protection Station "Request to people coming to Japan" (no date stamp) + MAFF Animal Quarantine Service "Bringing animal products into Japan from overseas" (As of 1st July 2020) + Japan Customs "Procedures of Passenger Clearance" and Customs Answer FAQ 2001