Japanese travel enthusiasts, take note: Quantity restrictions for three categories of items at customs

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled and reported
 
With many travelers visiting Japan during the summer vacation, shopping for Japanese cosmetics and health products is a must. However, starting July 1, several new regulations have taken effect, including adjustments to duty-free import limits without prior approval. These include a cap of up to 12 bottles per type for health supplements—three main categories are now under restriction. Bringing in quantities exceeding these limits may result in customs declaration requirements, or even mandatory return or destruction of the items.

1. Food category: The total value must not exceed US$1,000, and the weight must be within 6 kilograms. For tablet or capsule health supplements, the limit is 12 bottles per type, with a combined total not exceeding 36 bottles.

2. Food containers and utensils category: A single item on the customs declaration must have a value under US$1,000, with no more than 4 items of the same specification, or a value over US$1,000 but limited to 1 item. This includes popular Japanese items such as insulated tumblers and cast iron cookware.

3. Special-purpose cosmetics (formerly known as medicated cosmetics) category: Includes products such as hair dye, perming agents, sunscreens, and whitening products. According to regulations published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the limit is 12 bottles per type, with a combined total not exceeding 36 bottles. However, these items cannot be supplied, sold, publicly displayed, offered for consumer trials, or used for other purposes. Exceeding the allowed quantity will result in the customs ordering the items to be returned or destroyed within a specified period, in accordance with Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the Cosmetics Hygiene and Safety Management Act.