Food, Beverage & Supplement Importer of Record Japan (食品衛生法)

Food, beverage, and supplement imports into Japan require a per-shipment 食品等輸入届出書 (Food Import Notification) under 食品衛生法 (Food Sanitation Act). Aplash files the notification and acts as named Importer of Record. We also coordinate 機能性表示食品 (functional food) notification for products making efficacy claims.

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Engagement scope

  • Importer of Record for food, beverages, and dietary supplements (健康食品 / general health food).
  • 食品衛生法 (Food Sanitation Act) import notification (食品等輸入届出書) submission per shipment.
  • MAFF (農林水産省 / Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) coordination for plant-origin (植物検疫 / Plant Quarantine) and animal-origin (動物検疫 / Animal Quarantine) foods.
  • 機能性表示食品 (functional food) notification preparation and submission — the system is notification-based since 2015; it is not pre-approval.
  • Coordination with bonded food-licensed warehouses and quarantine inspection.

Outside scope

  • 特定保健用食品 (Tokuho, Foods for Specified Health Uses) approval — MHLW-approved, multi-year, requires clinical data. Aplash does not undertake Tokuho.
  • Foods containing pharmaceutically active ingredients — crosses into 薬機法 (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act) scope; restricted; pre-engagement assessment required.
  • Foods restricted under 食品衛生法 violation history (banned ingredients, additives unapproved in Japan, residue-limit-exceeding).
  • Live animal or live plant imports requiring full quarantine custody — coordination only, not principal logistics.
  • Halal, kosher, or organic certification — third-party certification body, not Aplash.

Per-shipment notification process

  • (a) Pre-shipment ingredient verification: additives, sweeteners, colorants against Japan-permitted lists.
  • (b) 食品等輸入届出書 prepared with HS code, ingredient list, origin, and intended use.
  • (c) Notification filed with the regional Quarantine Station of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
  • (d) Customs filing executed in Aplash's name once notification is cleared.

Supplement classification

CategoryEfficacy claimsAplash position
健康食品 (general health food)No efficacy claim allowedHandle
機能性表示食品 (functional food)Notification-based efficacy claim allowedHandle — notification coordination
特定保健用食品 (Tokuho)Formal MHLW approval requiredNot in Aplash scope

MAFF quarantine overview

Plant-origin foods may trigger 植物検疫 (Plant Quarantine) inspection by MAFF before customs release; animal-origin foods may trigger 動物検疫 (Animal Quarantine). Aplash coordinates the inspection slot and document submission ahead of the shipment ETA to prevent demurrage exposure.

Pricing band

Standard food and beverage (Existing additives, no restricted ingredients): from $2,800 per shipment. 機能性表示食品 (functional food) notification coordination: from $4,800 per product + per-shipment IOR fee. Ongoing functional-food maintenance available on engagement.

Customs duties and Japanese consumption tax (JCT) pass through at cost. Aplash earns no margin on the goods, only on the service.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 食品衛生法 (Food Sanitation Act) notification on every shipment?

Yes. A 食品等輸入届出書 (Food Import Notification) is required for every shipment of food, beverage, or supplement intended for sale or distribution in Japan. Aplash files this with the regional health authority before customs filing.

Can my supplement claim health benefits in Japan?

Only if registered under 機能性表示食品 (functional food, notification-based) or approved as 特定保健用食品 (Tokuho, formal approval). General 健康食品 cannot make efficacy claims. Aplash coordinates the 機能性表示食品 notification path.

Can Aplash handle Tokuho?

No. 特定保健用食品 (Tokuho) requires multi-year MHLW approval with clinical data, outside Aplash's IOR scope. We coordinate referrals for clients pursuing Tokuho.

Do you do halal or kosher certification?

No. Halal and kosher certifications are issued by accredited third-party certifying bodies. Aplash coordinates the customs and 食品衛生法 path, independent of religious certifications.

Live plant or animal imports?

Coordination only. MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) quarantine custody is performed by licensed quarantine facilities. Aplash coordinates the import filing and timeline, not the in-custody handling.

Applicable law and standards

  • 関税法 (Customs Act) [R1]
  • 食品衛生法 (Food Sanitation Act) [R1]
  • 機能性表示食品制度 (Functional food labelling notification system) [R1]
  • 薬機法 (Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act) [R0] — Boundary case for pharma-active supplements.

Related pages

Aplash coordinates 食品衛生法 notification per shipment and 機能性表示食品 product registration on the product-launch path. Engagement starts with an ingredient compatibility check.

Request a no-cost commodity assessment. We confirm IOR feasibility and quote against the public pricing band before any commitment.

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