Guidebook for Export to Japan (Food Articles) 2011 Coffee

Published in March 2011
Written and Published by:
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Development Coopelation Division
Trade And Economic Coopelation Department

This chapter defines coffee according to the H.S. code of the Tariff Schedule (Fig. 1-1), covering green coffee beans, regular coffee, instant coffee, and extracts, etc. Coffee beverages (excluding the products categorized as milk beverages) are discussed in the soft drink chapter instead of this chapter.

I. Points to Note in Exports to and Sales in Japan
1. Relevant Laws and Institutional Regulations
(1) Regulations and Procedural Requirements for Importing to Japan
The importing of coffee is subject primarily to 1) the Plant Protection Act, 2) the Food Sanitation Act, and 3) the Customs Act.
<Plant Protection Act>
Dried green coffee beans that have not been heat-processed are handled as fresh produce, and undergo quarantine procedures, including screening for contamination by pests or harmful plants, under the Plant Sanitation Act. Quarantine procedures performed at airports and ports are under the authority of the regional Quarantine Stations. Roasted beans and processed products are exempt from the Plant Protection Act, and subject only to food sanitation inspection under the Food Sanitation Act.
<Food Sanitation Act>
In compliance with Notification No. 370 of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Standards and Criteria for Food and Additives" issued under the Food Sanitation Act, and the standards for pesticide residues, etc. (including feed additives and drugs for animals) which are included therein, coffee is subject to food sanitation, which is conducted to assess the types and details of the raw ingredients, and to test the types and contents of additives, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, and so on. Import bans may be imposed on food in the event of an additive, pesticide, or other contents which are prohibited in Japan, when their levels exceed approved limits, or when the presence of mycotoxins, etc. is above allowable levels. Accordingly, coffee and products should be checked at the production site prior to import. If levels exceed the limits of Japanese standards, guidance should be given.
Pesticide residue standards adopted a negative system until 2006, under which pesticides would not be subject to control if there was no requirement for them. Amendments to the law introduced a positive list system, however, and the distribution of products is now prohibited in principle if they contain a specific level of pesticides, etc. even if there is no established requirement.

Green coffee beans are subject to monitoring performed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Quarantine Station, in accordance with its annual schedule. Should violation of the pesticide residue requirements be detected, screening is conducted more frequently. If violations persist, compulsory testing is imposed, in which all lots are tested at the expense of the importer. As of March 2011, green coffee beans subject to such compulsory testing are those produced in Ethiopia for γ-BHC (lindane), DDT, heptachlor, or chlordane that may potentially be detected; and those produced in Indonesia are tested for carbaryl.