Bringing Medications

Importing medicines into Japan is subject to control by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Customs Law, and regulated by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

When you bring medicines into Japan for personal use, depending on your medicines and their amount, you may have to apply for so called "Yunyu Kakunin-sho," a kind of import certificate, and receive it before you leave home, and declare it to the officer at customs. The application should be submitted to Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare closest to your airport of arrival in Japan.

In the case that your medication is narcotics, you are required to obtain an advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department at the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare closest to your airport of arrival in Japan.

● For detailed information, please refer to the following:
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

● Regarding details about application for "Yunyu Kakunin-sho," please check the following link, which includes application forms.
Q&A for those who are bringing medicines into Japan

● Regarding details about application for import of narcotics and psychotropics, please check the following link, which includes application forms.
Guidance: Import / Export medicine containing controlled substances by carrying

【Contact for further information】
1. Contact for Drugs, Quasi drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices

(1) Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
(Place of arrival: Narita international Airport, Tokyo International Airport, etc.)
TEL: +81-48-740-0800
E-mail: yakkan@mhlw.go.jp

(2) Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
(Place of arrival: Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair, Naha Airport, etc.)
TEL: +81-6-6942-4096
E-mail: kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp

2. Contact for Narcotics and Psychotropics

(1) Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
(Place of arrival: All)
FAX +81-3-3501-0034