When preparing to travel to Japan, many Vietnamese trainees and international students bring food, medicines and other personal items from Vietnam. However, not everything can legally be brought into Japan.

Japan has particularly strict controls on meat and meat products, fruit and vegetables, plants, medicines and controlled substances. Violations may result in confiscation, disposal of the items, fines or even imprisonment.

Before packing your luggage, make sure you understand the following important regulations.

1. Meat and Meat Products: Pay Particular Attention

Japan has very strict quarantine regulations regarding the import of meat and meat products.

You should not bring the following items unless you have confirmed that they meet Japan's import requirements:

Pork, beef, chicken, duck and other meats
Fresh, frozen or cooked meat
Sausages, ham and bacon
Beef jerky, chicken jerky and other dried meat
Meat-based pâté
Pork floss, chicken floss and other meat-based products
Ham, sausages and other processed meat products
Certain packaged foods containing meat

An important point to remember is that being cooked, vacuum-packed or commercially sealed does not automatically mean that a meat product can be brought into Japan.

Japan's Animal Quarantine Service regulates meat and meat products in various forms because of the risk of introducing animal diseases.

What happens if you illegally bring meat products into Japan?

Illegally bringing meat or meat products into Japan can result in up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to JPY 3 million. Higher penalties may apply to businesses.

Therefore, if you are unsure whether a food product contains meat or animal-derived ingredients, the safest option is not to bring it.

2. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Fresh fruit, vegetables and plants are also subject to strict controls in Japan.

Depending on the species and country or region of origin, certain items may be prohibited or require plant quarantine procedures.

In particular, avoid bringing the following items without checking the requirements in advance:

Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Seedlings and plants
Branches, leaves, flowers and other plant parts
Seeds intended for cultivation
Soil or plants with soil attached
Certain insects and other living organisms

Do not assume that bringing only a small quantity for personal consumption is acceptable.

Plant quarantine regulations can also apply to items carried in passengers' personal luggage.

In particular, soil and plants with soil attached are subject to strict controls.

3. Eggs, Dairy Products and Other Animal-derived Products

In addition to meat, certain other animal-derived products may also be subject to quarantine requirements.

Examples include:

Eggs and egg products
Fresh milk
Certain dairy products
Bones, fat, blood, hides, hair and hooves
Other animal-derived products

Japan also has specific quarantine requirements for certain dairy products.

Therefore, if you plan to bring food containing animal-derived ingredients, check the relevant regulations before travelling.

4. Medicines: Not Every Medicine Bought in Vietnam Can Be Brought into Japan

This is an issue that many international students and trainees may overlook.

Japan allows travellers to bring certain medicines for personal use, but there are restrictions on the type and quantity of medicine, and some medicines require prior approval or documentation.

General guidelines include:

Type of medicine	General limit
Prescription medicines, poisonous or powerful medicines	Generally up to one month's supply
Medicines for external use	Up to 24 units per type
Injectable medicines and associated syringes	Up to one month's supply within the applicable limits
Other medicines	Generally up to two months' supply

However, medicines containing controlled substances cannot simply be assessed based on these quantity limits.

Some active ingredients that are legally available or commonly used in Vietnam may be subject to strict controls in Japan.

Therefore, if you need to bring cold medicine, sleeping medication, painkillers or other treatment medicines, do not rely solely on the brand name. Check the active ingredients and Japanese regulations in advance.

5. Drugs and Controlled Substances

Unauthorised importation of narcotics, stimulants, cannabis and other substances controlled under Japanese law is strictly prohibited.

Japan imposes severe penalties for offences involving these substances.

It is also important to remember that a substance being legal or commonly used in Vietnam does not necessarily mean that it is legal to bring it into Japan.

Never assume that a product can be imported simply because it can be legally purchased in Vietnam.

6. Weapons, Explosives and Dangerous Goods

In addition to quarantine-controlled items, Japan also prohibits or restricts the importation of certain dangerous goods.

Do not bring the following without confirming the applicable regulations:

Firearms and ammunition
Explosives
Weapons
Certain knives and swords
Other dangerous items regulated by Japanese law

If you are carrying goods that require declaration or are subject to import restrictions, you must complete the appropriate procedures when entering Japan.

7. So, What Food Can You Bring into Japan?

This does not mean that all Vietnamese food is prohibited.

Some commercially packaged foods that do not contain restricted ingredients and meet Japan's relevant requirements may be allowed.

Examples may include:

Packaged confectionery
Certain instant noodles
Commercially packaged seasonings
Coffee
Tea
Certain dried plant-based foods

However, do not assume that all dried foods are permitted.

A dried food product may still contain meat or animal-derived ingredients that are subject to quarantine requirements.

8. Quick Guide Before Packing Your Luggage

Item	Can you bring it into Japan?	Important note
Fresh/frozen meat	❌ Do not bring without confirmation	Animal quarantine
Beef/chicken jerky	❌ Do not bring without confirmation	Meat products
Sausages/ham	❌ Do not bring without confirmation	Animal quarantine
Meat floss	❌ Do not bring without confirmation	Meat-derived product
Fresh fruit	❌/⚠️	Some varieties are prohibited or require quarantine
Fresh vegetables	❌/⚠️	Depends on the type and origin
Plants/seeds	⚠️	Plant quarantine or certificates may be required
Soil/plants with soil	❌	Strictly controlled
Packaged confectionery	✅/⚠️	Check the ingredients
Coffee/tea	✅/⚠️	Check the specific product
Ordinary medicines	⚠️	Quantity limits apply
Medicines containing controlled substances	⚠️	Prior approval may be required
Narcotics/controlled drugs	❌	Strictly prohibited without authorisation
Firearms/ammunition/explosives	❌	Prohibited or strictly controlled

9. If You Are Unsure, Declare the Item and Ask

One of the most important rules when entering Japan is not to conceal items that may be subject to quarantine or declaration requirements.

Japan Customs requires passengers to make the appropriate declaration for goods that are subject to declaration or import restrictions.

For meat, meat products, plants, fruit and vegetables, if you are unsure whether an item is permitted, declare it and ask the relevant quarantine officer rather than attempting to pass through without declaring it.

This is much safer than risking a violation.

10. Important Advice for Vietnamese Trainees and International Students

Before departure, check the contents of your suitcase carefully.

Pay particular attention to:

Beef jerky, chicken jerky, sausages, ham, meat-containing foods, pâté, meat floss, canned meat, fresh or frozen meat, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, plants, seeds and soil-containing plants.

If you need to bring medicines for treatment, check in advance whether they can legally be brought into Japan, based on their ingredients and quantity.

Japan may prohibit or restrict certain medicines even when they are legally purchased and used overseas.

Leaving a questionable item in Vietnam may simply mean a minor inconvenience. Bringing a prohibited or restricted item into Japan, however, could lead to serious consequences.

Check your luggage carefully before departure so that you can begin your studies or work in Japan with peace of mind.

Important: Japanese immigration, customs and quarantine regulations may change depending on the time, type of product and country or region of origin. This article has been prepared based on information from relevant Japanese authorities checked in August 2026. For specific items, always check the latest official regulations before travelling.

Official Information to Check Before Departure

Japan's Animal Quarantine Service: Importation of meat and animal products
Japan's Plant Protection Station: Plant, fruit and vegetable quarantine
Japan Customs: Passenger customs procedures and declarations
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Procedures for bringing medicines into Japan

CONTACT INFORMATION

SONG DA TOHOKU JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Address: L02-L01, Area A, Duong Noi Urban Area, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: 0989 044 852

Email: tohoku.sond@gmail.com

Website: https://tohoku.vn

WHAT YOU CANNOT BRING INTO JAPAN IN 2026: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TRAINEES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS