Japan – Export requirements for milk and dairy products

On this page

  1. Eligible/ineligible product
  2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
  3. Product specifications
  4. Production controls and inspection requirements
  5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
  6. Documentation requirements
  7. Other information

1. Eligible/ineligible product

1.1 Eligible

All dairy products. Below is an indicative list of dairy products regulated in Japan.

  • 0401 (Milk and cream, etc.)
  • 0402 (Milk and cream, etc.)
  • 0403 (Buttermilk, etc.)
  • 0404 (Whey powder, etc.)
  • 0405 (Butter, etc.)
  • 0406 (Cheese, etc.)
  • 3502.20, 3502.90 (Milk albumin, concentrated whey, etc.)

Examples of dairy products that have already been exported to Japan (JP):

  • cheese (cheddar and cheddar types, specialty cheese, fresh cheese)
  • ice cream (dairy based edible ice)
  • butter and other fats and oils derived from milk
  • condensed milk
  • evaporated milk
  • skim milk powder
  • whey products
  • products consisting of natural milk constituents
  • dairy spreads
  • casein and casein products
  • others (for example: lactose, lactose syrup, milk albumin, and buttermilk products)

1.2 Ineligible

No information is known regarding ineligible products.

2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country

2.1 Country

Japan maintains a list of approved countries, which is updated based on the health status of countries regarding diseases such as foot and mouth disease. Canada is authorized to export dairy products.

2.2 Establishments

Japan does not have an eligibility list for the export of dairy products for human consumption.

Dairy establishments must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

2.3 Products

No information known regarding products registration.

2.4 Import permit

No information is known regarding the requirement for an import permit.

3. Product specifications

No information is known regarding product specifications. Microbiological requirements and maximum residue limits in Japan may differ from those in Canada. Failure to comply with these standards could result in a shipment being rejected at the border control port.

4. Production controls and inspection requirements

Canada has been recognized by Japan as having an equivalent system of inspection, which means that Canadian dairy products intended for human consumption are processed under sanitary conditions in accordance with the laws and regulations of Canada which are at least equivalent to the laws and regulations of Japan.

The manufacturer must be aware of the standards and requirements of the importing country. An export control plan must be in place to demonstrate that your products meet the requirements of the importing country.

Note: if the model « Health certificate for dairy products manufactured in Canada and used in foreign countries for export to the European Union », is used (see section 6 below), the Canadian manufacturer must be on the European Union approved list (accessible through TRACES) and the export procedure should be amended accordingly.

Manufacturer's declaration

Dairy ingredients and dairy products must be subjected to one of the following processes. This information must be indicated in the manufacturer's declaration.

  1. a minimum temperature of 132°C for at least one second in liquid form (Ultra High Temperature - UHT)
  2. pH < 7.0, it was treated with a minimum temperature of 72°C for at least 15 seconds in liquid form (High Temperature Short Time - HTST)
  3. if pH is ≥ 7.0, HTST treatment was applied twice
  4. by maintaining a pH < 6 for at least one hour
  5. an inactivation method equivalent to the above and approved by the exporting country

If the dairy products are intended further processing in Japan, with possible export of the finished product to the EU, this must be clearly indicated in the manufacturer's declaration in order for the CFIA to issue the required additional certification. See Section 6 below.

Note: inspectors will verify that the manufacturer's declaration is completed appropriately and reserve the right to request any other information that they think is necessary for the final certification of the product.

Certification requirements

Animal health attestations

The animal health attestations on the health certificate CFIA/ACIA FA1058 are met based on Canadian and Japanese regulations. Raw milk must come from animals that are clinically healthy at the time of milking and free from any concerning disease according to Canadian regulations.

The health certificate CFIA/ACIA FA1058 refers to the foot-and-mouth disease. This condition is met as long as Canada's free status with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) does not change. In Canada, this disease is reportable under the Health of Animals Act.

Public health attestations

The public health attestations on the health certificate CFIA/ACIA FA1058 are met based on Canadian and Japanese regulations.

Imported ingredients

The use of imported ingredients of animal origin may limit the ability to export milk and dairy products to Japan, particularly due to the health status of countries included in Japan's list of approved countries. This list is maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). See section 7 below.

5. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Products need to satisfy Japan labelling requirements.

6. Documentation requirements

Canada has a negotiated certificate with Japan. Request for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division.

Certificate

Official certificate for the export of raw milk and milk products from cloven-hooved animals to be exported to Japan from Canada for human consumption (CFIA/ACIA FA1058).

Notes

  • The health certificate is signed by the CFIA official veterinarian and official inspector
  • An annex has been added to the certificate to compensate for any lack of space in Section 15 (Product Description) on the first page. This annex will be used only if necessary
  • Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada

In the case where Canadian dairy ingredients are used to manufacture products in a foreign country and these will be subsequently shipped to the EU, the foreign country operator may request Canadian documentation to support export certification. The model "Health certificate for dairy products manufactured in Canada and used in foreign countries for export to the European Union" (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) – RDIMS 15883053. Contact your local CFIA office to obtain this certificate. Japan requires that this certificate be accompanied by the export dairy certificate negotiated with Canada, model CFIA/ACIA 5829. The box "Additional Information" in the certificates must be used to link the two certificates.

7. Other information

Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all necessary certificates.

Samples (personal or commercial) may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with their importer.

Dairy products imported into Japan are subject to import inspection by the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS).

List of countries regions or zones recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) where exporting raw milk and un-heat-treated milk products to Japan is allowed

Relevant links

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