名古屋植物防疫所から「植物を海外から日本へ持ち込む場合の規制」に関するお知らせ

Plant Quarantine Inspections

Plant Protection Stations perform import inspections for plants to prevent the entry of harmful pests from overseas into Japan, and export inspections based on plant quarantine requirements specified by destination countries in order to prevent similar problems abroad.
Plant quarantine inspections are required when bringing plants into Japan from abroad or taking plants out of Japan.

Regulations when Bringing Plants into Japan from Another Country

In order to prevent the entry of harmful pests from overseas into Japan along with plants transported as cargo, carried in personal baggage, sent via post, or transported by other means, when bringing plants into Japan, it is legally required to submit a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the government of the exporting country and to undertake import inspection regardless of quantity, intended usage and so forth.
In order to prevent the entry of harmful pests into Japan, regulatory classifications are established based on consideration of both the country of origin and lists of plants known to pose a risk of introducing harmful pests. Regulatory classifications are as follows.

■Items Whose Import is Prohibited in Japan (Import-prohibited Items)

In order to prevent the accidental importation of harmful pests, we ban the import of plants from countries/regions which exhibit potential to cause major damage to Japan's agricultural sector and/or other areas, and which may bring in harmful pests that are difficult to detect with sufficient precision during inspections.
In addition, import is prohibited for the following items regardless of their country/region of origin:

• • • Soil
    • Plants attached with soil
    • Quarantine pests which are injurious to plants and plant products
    • Rice straw or rice husks (excluding those from the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan)

In addition, certain fruits and vegetables may be banned (import-prohibited items) depending on the country/region where they were produced or the country/region from which they were exported. Banned fruits and vegetable can be confirmed (in English) via the Database for Importing Conditions.

●Pamphlet listing common import-prohibited items

■Items Requiring Import Inspections

When not prohibited from import, the following types of plants still require inspection upon importation. Some plants require inspection at the original departure country, special quarantine measures, etc.
Import regulations differ depending on the country of production, exporting country and plant type. Common items are listed (in English) in the Database for Importing Conditions.
Examples of Items Requiring Import Inspections:

• • • Seedlings/saplings, bulbs, seeds
    • Cut flowers
    • Fruits, vegetables
    • Grains / cereal grass, beans
    • Wood materials / lumber
    • Items used as ingredients for making spices, herbal medicines, etc.

■Items Not Requiring Import Inspections

Processed products whose ingredients include plant materials that pose no threat of introducing harmful pests into Japan (attached to plants or still alive) do not require import inspections.
Please contact one of the Plant Protection Stations for more details.

Import Procedures when Bringing Plants into Japan from Another Country (Plants Transported in Personal Baggage)

Import inspections are required for all plants - even plants purchased at duty-free shops, small-sized plants and so forth - to ensure that no harmful pests are entering the country along with them.
Complete an inspection at the Plant Quarantine Counter before going through customs inspections.

Immigration Inspection → Imported Plant Inspection (Plant Quarantine Counter) → Customs Inspection

Please submit any inspection certificates issued by the exporting country (known as "phytosanitary certificates" and issued in tag form) to the plant quarantine officer at the Plant Quarantine Counter.
If your plant or plants pass the import inspection, you will receive a "plant inspection passed" stamp (shokubutsu kensa gōkaku shōin) from the officer. Any plant not displaying this stamp is ineligible for customs inspections.
Inspection certificates are not required for certain plants. Please contact one of the Plant Protection Stations for more details.
Persons who bring any plant into Japan without first completing the above inspections may be punished according to the Plant Protection Act.

★For more information, see the Plant Protection Station website.