Information for Pet Owners Importing or Bringing Veterinary Medicinal Products (VMP) or veterinary medical devices into Japan

1. Introduction

2. Cases where an Import Permit Is Not Required

 When an individual imports veterinary medicines into Japan from overseas, or brings them into Japan as accompanied baggage, the products are generally subject to Japanese regulations and, as a rule, require import authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). However, an import permit is not required if all the following conditions are met.

Eligible people
・The importer is the owner of a pet kept for companionship, non-commercial purposes.
Purpose of use
The product is intended for the treatment or other care of the owner's pet during their stay in Japan.
Quantity limits
・VMP
   No more than two packages per product, or
   No more than a two-month supply.
Veterinary medical devices
   No more than two units/packages per product.

 If you wish to import VMP or veterinary medical devices in quantities exceeding the limits above, an import permit is required.

 Products that do not qualify as VMP or veterinary medical devices, such as supplements, pet food, or pet toys, generally do not require an import permit.
However, please note that a product that is marketed as a supplement or pet food outside Japan may still be classified as a VMP or veterinary medical devices under Japanese regulations, depending on its ingredients and intended effects. In such cases, an import permit is required.

 If you are unsure whether a product falls within the scope of VMP or veterinary medical devices, please contact the office listed in Section 9 before importing the product or traveling to Japan. When making an inquiry, please include or attach the following information in your email:

1. Product name
2. Ingredients/components
3. A link to the website where the product was purchased and/or photographs of the product

3. Certain VMP or veterinary medical devices that Cannot Be Imported

 The following products cannot be imported into Japan or brought into Japan as accompanied baggage under any circumstances.

・Veterinary biological products (such as vaccines, diagnostic kits, and sera)
・Veterinary regenerative medicine products

 If you are unsure whether your product falls into either category, please contact the MAFF office listed in Section 9 before purchasing the product or traveling to Japan.

4. VMP that a Veterinarian’s Prescription is Required

For the following categories of VMP, you must submit a veterinarian's prescription when applying for import permit.

・Certain antimicrobial (antibiotic) products
・Hormonal products
・Certain heartworm prevention products
・Other products that require specialized veterinary knowledge and expertise for proper use

If you are unsure whether your product falls into one of these categories, please contact the office listed in Section 9 before purchasing the product or traveling to Japan.
Important：If you are unable to obtain a veterinarian’s prescription, please contact us.

5. Process for Importing VMP or veterinary medical devices

1) When Importing VMP or veterinary medical devices While staying in Japan

After purchasing the VMP or veterinary medical devices from outside Japan, 

1. When the product arrives in Japan, it is held by Customs. You will receive a notification by mail or email from Customs or the import agent. (In some cases, the product may not be held by Customs.)
2. Prepare the import application documents and submit them to the MAFF office listed in Section6 by regular mail. If there are any deficiencies or errors in the application, we will contact you by email or telephone. If it is difficult to submit it them mail, please send it by email.
3. Within approximately one to two weeks, MAFF will issue the import permit (the application bearing an official approval seal). The import permit will be returned to you by regular mail, so please include a self-addressed stamped envelope when submitting the documents. If you submit the documents by email, the permit will be returned by email as well.
4. Submit the import permit to Customs. (Please contact Customs directly regarding submission procedures.)

2) When Bringing VMP or veterinary medical devices into Japan as Accompanied Baggage

1. After purchasing VMP or veterinary medical devices before traveling,
2. Before traveling to Japan, prepare the import application documents and submit them to the MAFF office listed in Section6 by regular mail. If there are any deficiencies or errors in the application, we will contact you by email. If it is difficult to submit it by mail, please send it by email.
3. Within approximately one to two weeks, MAFF will issue the import permit (the application bearing an official approval seal). The import permit will be returned to you by regular mail, so remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope when submitting the documents. If you submit the documents by email, the permit will be returned by email as well.
4. Upon arrival in Japan, if Customs requests the import permit, please present it to the Customs officer.

6. Import Permit Application Procedures

< Application forms and supporting Documents >
The documents required for an import permit application differ depending on whether you are importing VMP or veterinary medical devices.

Product	Submitted documents
Veterinary Medicinal Products	Import Confirmation of Veterinary Medicinal Products(WORD : 32KB) Import Confirmation of Veterinary Medicinal Products(PDF : 196KB)
Veterinary Medical Devices	Import Confirmation of veterinary medical devices(WORD : 29KB) Import Confirmation of veterinary medical devices(PDF : 202KB)

 

Submission of Application Documents
Once you have prepared all required documents, please submit them to the address below.
Correspondence and application materials should be written in English or Japanese.

Pharmaceutical Affairs Inspection and Guidance Team Animal Products Safety Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8950 Japan

It is difficult to submit your application by mail, please submit by email to the email adress below.
Send all required documents in PDF format.
MAIL：yakuji_kanshi☆maff.go.jp
Replace "☆" with "@" before sending your email.
Include "# import permit XXXX" in the subject line of your email (replace XXXX with the applicant's name)

7. For Travelers Bringing Pets to Japan

 If you plan to bring your pet with you to Japan, you may also be required to complete separate procedures related to:
Animal quarantine requirements
Rabies-related import requirements
 Please note that the procedures for bringing VMP into Japan and the procedures for importing a pet into Japan are separate.
For information on the requirements for bringing pets into Japan, please refer to the website of the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS).

8. Important Information

VMP imported may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise provided to a third party.
Products imported for personal use are used entirely at the importer's own responsibility.
Even when the quantity of products is within the permitted limits, Customs may inspect the contents of the shipment or baggage.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the information provided on this page, please contact:

Contact Office
Pharmaceutical Affairs Inspection and Guidance Team
Animal Products Safety Division
Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau

Email: yakuji_kanshi☆maff.go.jp
Replace "☆" with "@" before sending your email.
Include "# import permit XXXX" in the subject line of your email (replace XXXX with the applicant's name)

Office Hours
Weekdays (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese public holidays)
09：30 a.m. to 12：00 noon
01：00 p.m. to 05：15 p.m. (Japan Standard Time)