Export Animal Products to Japan

Last Modified: April 30, 2024

Alerts

Restrictions: Important information regarding trade bans and other outbreak-related restrictions on various products (4.92 MB) - April 2024

 "Animal-Origin” References as Related to Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids:  Special Requirements for Japan (81.36 KB) - August 2020

Alert Regarding Mailing Services (e.g. FedEx, UPS, etc.): Important information regarding animal-origin materials shipped via carrier services (48.37 KB) - March 2012

Prior to shipment, exporters should have their importers confirm with the Japanese animal quarantine office (Animal Quarantine Service) at the port of entry that all necessary paper work is in order.

Affidavit-Based Certificates:   Important Information for Affidavit-Based Declarations on Certificates for Exports to Japan (147.79 KB) - November 2009

When a consignment is on hold in Japan

Steps to follow (includes contact information for Japanese Animal Quarantine Service offices) - December 2015

The below articles (other than the “ Cervid products including deer, elk, caribou and moose products” article) do not apply to cervid-origin products.

Commodities not listed below or When there is Doubt Which Certification Requirements Apply - September 2012

Commodity Specific Information

Animal fats including tallow and lard (but not including fish oil) - June 2007

Blood products (originating from animals other than birds) exported for technical purposes other than animal feeding - January 2018

Blood products (originating from birds) - September 2023

Blood-porcine blood (spray-dried) intended for animal feeding 

Casings (bovine) - August 2015

Cervid products including deer, elk, caribou and moose products - June 2011

Chicken meat powder (spray-dried) for the manufacture of pet food [See Poultry meat powder (spray-dried) for the manufacture of pet food] 

Collagen powder (poultry-origin) - October 2009

Dairy products - intended for human consumption

Dairy products for animal consumption (not including retort processed or extruded pet food/treats) containing no animal origin ingredients other than those of dairy-origin

Dairy products for animal consumption (not including retort processed or extruded pet food/treats) containing dairy plus other animal origin ingredients

Dairy products for purposes other than human or animal consumption

Diagnostic Test Kits & Reagents Derived from Bovine Brain - March 2019

Dicalcium phosphate (animal origin) - January 2006

Egg Powder intended for animal consumption

  • Option One - use this option when the Japanese importer has not verified with the port of entry into Japan that heat processing certification is adequate to remove requirement for avian influenza certification. - September 2023 (pdf 191kb)
  • Option Two - use this option when the Japanese importer has verified with the port of entry into Japan that heat processing certification is adequate to remove requirement for avian influenza certification. - September 2023 (pdf 124kb)

Egg products for technical research purposes (does not include products for consumption nor egg shells for ornamental purposes)

Egg shells - blown (not disinfected) egg shells intended for ornamental purposes

Egg shells - blown (disinfected) egg shells intended for ornamental purposes - September 2023

Feathers - September 2023

Feeds and supplements (for animals) - NOT of Animal-Origin - July 2011

Feeds and supplements (for animals other than horses) containing no animal origin ingredients other than gelatin, vitamin D3, dicalcium phosphate, milk products, and/or animal fat (other than bovine fat) - [For information on pet foods and treats, see Pet food, chews, and treats] (animal-origin) - June 2020

Feeds and supplements for horses - May 2023

Fish oil - June 2007

Fishmeal - May 2023

Game trophies (finished) - April 2008

Gel bone (bovine derived) intended for the production of gelatin/collagen for food use - May 2023

Gel bone (bovine derived) intended for the production of gelatin/collagen for pharmaceutical use - May 2023

Gelatin and collagen for purposes other than human consumption (bovine derived) - May 2023

Gelatin and collagen for purposes other than human consumption (swine derived) - May 2023

Gelatin for human consumption (bovine derived) - August 2015

Gelatin for human consumption (swine derived) - May 2023

Hair (including fur and wool) - April 2013

Hides (fresh/frozen/refrigerated) - April 2015

Hides (treated) - April 2015

Pet food, chews, and treats (animal-origin)

Placentas for commercial purposes (including pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes) - May 2010

Poultry based fertilizer - June 2005

Poultry meat/powder for the manufacture of pet food

Processed animal products (e.g. bovine brain acetone powder) for research purposes - November 2009

Processed animal proteins for use in animal feed and pet food - PROHIBITED (exceptions apply) - August 2011

Rodent carcasses (not including samples for research)

  • General Information including approval process and the “CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR FRESH OR FROZEN RODENT CARCASSES TO JAPAN FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN RESEARCH - October 2010
  • The following alternative certificate which does not generally require APHIS inspection may be available to certain facilities.  Exporters who think they may qualify for it should have their importers contact the relevant AQS station through which the consignment will enter Japan to see if the below certificate would be accepted:
    • Veterinary Certificate for rodent carcasses from "Special" facilities - January 2020
    • Veterinary Certificate for rodent carcasses to Japan (APHIS can only endorse for facilities with required approval noted in APHIS internal database) - October 2010

Trophies (See Game trophies)

Wool - See Hair (including fur and wool)

Need Help Exporting Animal Products?

If you have any questions or concerns about the procedures and requirements for exporting animal products, or to obtain a zoosanitary certificate for an animal product, contact the APHIS Veterinary Services office covering the area from which the product will be exported, the area in which your office is located, or the area in which the product is manufactured.
 

Certificate Endorsement or Export Questions

For animal product export certificate endorsement or questions, select your State or Territory to email the appropriate office and include "Animal products: endorsement or question" plus your State or Territory's name in the subject line. Note: Offices may serve multiple States and Territories.

Facility Inspections or Questions

For animal product export facility inspection requests or questions, select your State or Territory to email the appropriate office and include "Facility Inspection" plus your State or Territory's name in the subject line. Note: Offices may serve multiple States and Territories.

All Contacts
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