Can you bring meat or dairy products to Japan?

• Meat & dairy

  prohibited

  Meat and meat products (ham, sausage, jerky, etc.) generally cannot be brought in without an export health certificate issued by the exporting country's government — something individual travelers essentially never have, so treat meat as prohibited in practice. Small quantities of dairy products (roughly 10 kg or less, not for resale) carried in accompanied baggage are treated more leniently, but check with the Animal Quarantine Service counter on arrival. Violations carry up to 3 years' imprisonment or a ¥3,000,000 fine.

  Also covers: meat, dairy, cheese, milk, ham, sausage

  Checked 2026-08-11 — Source: Animal Quarantine Service (MAFF) — Bringing animal products into Japan

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Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. See update history