Japan Beverage Regulation

1. Definition

In Japan, the food category of "beverage (清涼飲料水)" refers to beverage that contains less than 1% of alcohol content, excluding lactic acid bacteria beverages, milk, and dairy products. Mineral water, carbonated water, tomato juice, and concentrated juice are all a part of this category.

2. Competent Authority

3. Market Access Approval

3.1 Pre-import consultation

It is a voluntary consultation rather than pre-import screening, which promotes importer's self-assurance of food safety. The quarantine office will provide the following necessary information and guidance to importers.

1. Import procedures;

2. Inspection system, including inspection orders and strengthened inspection items;

3. Beverage Standards and criteria;

4. Regulations on food additives, pesticide residues, and other substances;

5. Methods for ensuring the safety of ingredients;

6. Information on violations cases of the Food Sanitation Act and related regulations

While consulting with Japanese authorities before importation is not mandatory, pre-consultation can facilitate and expedite the import process. It has significant meaning particularly for products entering the Japanese market for the first time.

3.2 Import declaration

Overseas company intending to sell food products to Japan shall submit an import declaration to the quarantine station at the designated port of entry before entering the Japanese market. This declaration should include comprehensive information about the manufacturer, ingredients, additives, and any other relevant remarks.

Required documents for import declaration:

1. Notification Form for Importation of Foods, etc. (which primarily verifies the compliance of additives and pesticide residues)

2. Instructions on raw materials and manufacturing processes

3. Test report & sanitary certificate (if necessary)

3.5 Import inspection

Imported foods whose import declaration has been filed are subject to import inspections prior to customs clearance procedures. The specific inspection types include inspection order, guided inspection (voluntary inspections), monitoring inspection, and administrative inspection. Among them, inspection order is extremely strict, subjecting products to administrative assessment if there are suspicions of violating Japanese laws. The involved products cannot enter the Japanese market until the process is completed. Additionally, all costs related to sampling and testing during inspection order are to be borne by the importer.

4. Product Compliance

4.1 Specification and standards

Beverages in Japan must comply with the Specification and Standards for Food, Food additives, Etc. These standards define specific standards for various categories such as mineral water, frozen fruit beverages, and fruit juices that are used as raw materials. Additionally, regulations cover the usage standards for food additives and pesticide residue limits.

4.2 Labeling

Enterprises shall display the product name, allergens, storage methods, expiration date, ingredients, additives, quantity of nutritional components and energy value, country of origin, and other relevant information on beverages. For detailed information, please refer to Food Labeling Standards.

4.2 Organic JAS specifications

If enterprises intend to use the terms "有機" (organic) or "オーガニック" (organic) in labeling, they shall undergo inspections by registered certification bodies based on the Organic JAS Standards and complete the necessary procedures to obtain certification.

• Recommended material:

Webinar: Organic Food in Asia: Regulatory Insights from China, South Korea, and Japan

4.3 Packaging

It is important to follow Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging for beverages. Glass bottles, paper containers, PET bottles, and other packaging materials are required to have material identification labels to promote proper sorting and recycling. Specific businesses, including importers, are obligated to ensure the recycling of container waste.

* Global Food Compliance Service

We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.

Covered Countries

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.

Our Services

• Food Ingredient Review

• Label Review

• Product Registration

• Regulatory Consultation

• Monitoring, Training and Customized Report

Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.