Can I send food to Japan?
Yes, with conditions.
No meat products. Dairy, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and seeds need certificates and quarantine checks. Sealed snacks without meat are safest. Food pays 8% consumption tax when tax is due.
For every Onvoyo box: Only sealed, shop-bought, shelf-stable food. Express couriers don't carry perishable food: nothing fresh, frozen, meat, dairy or produce.
More rules for Japan
Not allowed
- Meat products such as jerky, ham, sausages, bacon, and meat buns without a government inspection certificate from the origin country, even if cooked or vacuum-packed
Allowed with conditions
- Dairy, eggs, and other animal products
- Items from cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, horses, poultry, dogs, rabbits, and bees, including dairy and eggs sent by parcel, need a government inspection certificate from the origin country. Finished goods such as leather bags and wool sweaters are exempt. Illegal imports can bring up to 3 years in prison or a ¥3 million fine (about $19,300).
- Plants, seeds, fruit, and vegetables
- Need a phytosanitary certificate from the origin country and a plant quarantine inspection, whatever the purpose or quantity. Some plants can't come in from some countries at all. Declare them clearly on the packing list.
Before you ship to Japan
- Tax-free limit
- Shipments with a total taxable value of ¥10,000 (about $64) or less are free of duty and consumption tax. For goods for your own personal use, the taxable value is 60% of the overseas retail price, so goods worth up to ¥16,666 (about $107) at retail can qualify. Liquor and tobacco taxes still apply. Knitted clothing (including T-shirts and sweaters), leather bags, gloves, footwear, pantyhose, and ski boots don't qualify unless they are a personal gift to someone living in Japan. Boxes split from one invoice are added together.
- Receiver ID
- No tax or ID number is needed for a personal box. Give the receiver's full name, full address with postal code, and a phone number so the courier can arrange payment and delivery. For unaccompanied baggage, the receiver must be you, the traveler.
- Transit
- 2-5 business days from North America or Europe; 1-3 from elsewhere in Asia
Questions
Can I send food to Japan?
Yes, with conditions. No meat products. Dairy, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and seeds need certificates and quarantine checks. Sealed snacks without meat are safest. Food pays 8% consumption tax when tax is due.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Japan Customs (税関)
1006 課税価格の合計額が１万円以下の物品の免税適用について（カスタムスアンサー） (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Japan Customs (税関)
個人通関 2026：海外通販などに関する手続やその流れ (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省)
医薬品等の個人輸入について (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Bringing animal products into Japan from overseas (by baggage, international parcels) (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Plant Protection Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (植物防疫所)
郵便物：国際郵便物での植物類の輸入について (opens in a new tab) - 6.
National Tax Agency (国税庁)
飲食料品に係る２年間の消費税率引下げについて（令和８年９月） (opens in a new tab) - 7.
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Japan makes the final decision on every box.