Hello, I'm back! Just a quick post. My colleagues are moving to
Japan soon, so I've prepared this simple list for them and I'm
sharing it here too. I know it's not the most comprehensive or
perfect list, but I hope it can benefit any one of you who stumble of
this blog as well :)
Sending Food to Japan by post?
When it comes to sending food
items abroad via courier, the rules are relatively simple: You cannot send
any food items that are classed as perishables (things that can go off or
that can spoil during transit). This is the most important rule of all, and
as long as you stick to this rule, you will be just fine.
What Store Bought Food Can be shipped?
1. Foods must be in the original manufacturers packaging.
2.
Food packaging must be sealed and not tampered with in any way.
3.
Food label must list all ingredients.
4. Foods must have a
shelf life of longer than 6 months from the date of shipping.
5.
All foods that have a shelf life of less than 6 months will be classed as
perishables, and cannot be sent via courier, even if store bought.
How to Ship Food Items
1. Don’t send food items that must be kept in a temperature
controlled environment in transit (refrigerated, frozen or chilled) as they
will spoil by the time they reach their destination.
2. Don’t expect
your food parcel to be kept ‘this way up’ during transit.
3. Don’t send
foods that are restricted for import into the destination country.
4.
Always ensure your food items have a label clearly displaying all the
ingredients and the ‘use by date’ because customs authorities may check
these upon import.
5. Always package your food items so that they can
withstand the parcel being placed upside down during transit, and always
wrap individual items separately inside your parcel for optimum
protection.
6. Always check the import restrictions in the country you
are shipping to, to avoid sending foods that are prohibited at the
destination.
My notes (based on my past experiences)
1.
Basically, ALL TYPE OF DRY food is OK to post @ courier to Japan.
2. Kicap/Sos/Jem
: better choose the plastic bottle type. It’s quite risky to post those is
glass bottle but if you wrap them properly with bubble sheet it should be
OK.
3. Hazardous item, flammable – NOT OK
4. Some cases of
posting MILO drink is NOT OK. Confiscated by Custom Japan, I'm not
sure why.
5. Medicine from Malaysia – Panadol, balm, cough
syrup, etc is OK for personal use. (From my personal experience, please
bring some with you because Japan Hospital medicine is generally mild
compared to Malaysia dosage)
6. Homemade biscuits, cakes, kerepek, etc – Pack them
properly in container & seal them. If you put label it will
be better too.
7. List out clearly what you put inside each boxes
in the post office declaration form.
8. Different country, different rules. Check with your
local post office too.
9. More useful forum
website:
