Japan Digitizes Import Notification for Repeated Food Imports

On October 1, 2023, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) issued an amendment to the Enforcement Regulation of the Food Sanitation Act, allowing importers to electronically submit import plan notifications for repeated imports of foods, food additives, and food contact materials. The reform aims to simplify administrative procedures and enhance the efficiency of import declarations for food and related products.

According to the Food Sanitation Act, importers are required to file an import notification with the MHLW each time food, additives, or related items are imported for sale or business use. However, the Enforcement Regulation of the Food Sanitation Act allows importers of identical or similar products to submit an "import plan notification" instead of individual import notifications for each shipment.

Previously, Japan prohibited the use of the electronic information processing system for these plan notifications, even though general import notifications could already be filed online. This created an administrative gap in the otherwise digitized import process.

This amendment removes this restriction. Importers can now use the electronic information processing system to submit import plan notifications for repeated imports, enabling faster and more convenient electronic filing.

In addition, importers must report their annual import results to the same quarantine office where the plan was submitted. From October 12, 2025, the use of the electronic system will become the standard procedure, although paper submission at quarantine offices will remain acceptable.