1 April, 2004
Importing or Bringing Medication into Japan for Personal Use
Compliance and Narcotics Division,
Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau,
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- An importer of medication (drug, quasi-drug, cosmetic or medical device) for
business purposes needs a License from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.
- There is no need for a License for individual's importing or bringing medication
into Japan for personal use. An individual can import the following restricted
quantities of medication without special procedures. Medication imported or brought
into Japan for personal use must not be sold or given to others.
1. Drug or Quasi-drug: Up to 2 months' supply
- Poisonous drug, Powerful drug or Prescription Drug : Up to 1 month's supply
- Drug or Quasi-drug for External Use (excluding Poisonous drug, Powerful
drug or prescription
drug) : Up to 24 pieces
Note )
Quasi-drug :- Quasi-drug is a product that has restricted purpose of use,has a mild
action on the human body, and is not categorized as a medical device.
e.g.) hair tonics, bath preparations, etc.
- e.g.) ointments, eye drops etc.
- Quasi-drug is a product that has restricted purpose of use,has a mild
action on the human body, and is not categorized as a medical device.
2. Cosmetic : Up to 24 pieces per item
3. Medical Device (for home use only) : 1 set
- e.g.) Electric massager
- Poisonous drug, Powerful drug or Prescription Drug : Up to 1 month's supply
- Import of stimulants (Amphetamine, Metamphetamine, etc.) is prohibited by the
Stimulants Control law.
- An importer of Narcotics, Psychotropic drugs needs a license from the Director-General Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law.An contact point for the application of the Narcotics Control Department of the Bureau.
- In accordance with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species),
import of drugs including the following substances is restricted.
- e.g.)
1. Rhinoceros horn
2. Musk
3. Tiger bones
4. Fel Ursi etc.
- e.g.)
- If you need to bring more than the restricted quantity of medication into Japan
for personal use, and you plan to arrive at one of the following airports, please
contact the following Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare during business hours
( Monday to Friday, 09 : 30 to 17: 45 ) :
- Tokyo (Narita) International Airport (Kantou-Shinetsu office)
Phone : +81-48-740-0800
Fax : +81-48-601-1336 - Kansai International Airport (Kinki office)
Phone : +81-6-6942-4096
Fax : +81-6-6942-2472 - Naha International Airport (Okinawa branch office)
Phone : +81-98-854-2584
Fax : +81-98-834-8978
- Tokyo (Narita) International Airport (Kantou-Shinetsu office)
- Regarding Narcotics, Psychotropic drugs, Stimulants etc., please contact the
following office by Facsimile :
- Charge of Opium of Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical and
Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Fax : +81-3-3501-0034
- Charge of Opium of Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical and
Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Regarding CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).,
please contact the following office :
- Trade Licencing Division, Trade Control department, Trade and economic cooperation
Bureau, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry
Phone : +81-3-3501-1659
- Trade Licencing Division, Trade Control department, Trade and economic cooperation
Bureau, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry