The first big wall. The name is MHLW
It is the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW)’s Department of Drug Control that has the authority to determine whether a CBD product can be imported. Because they are in charge of the Cannabis Control Law.
The following is a presentation material that briefly summarizes the documents required by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
MHLW does not disclose the criteria for CBD products. When CBD oil was imported into Japan for the first time in 2013 with the permission of MHLW, if THC was less than 0.3%, it could be cleared without any problem even if it was detected by customs. Initially, MHLW accepted less than 0.3% THC as the standard for industrial hemp.
However, after the case of importing and selling liquid marijuana in a fake CBD oil, the MHLW has banned any products containing THC. And the change in that standard was not explained by the MHLW. And while their requirements are becoming more demanding, they never publish any changes.
We actually submit documents to the MHLW to confirm the import of a particular product, and only when they refuse it and told us the reason why by phone, We know they have changed the standard.
It’s a waste of time to complain that “this was OK last time”. Because they have authority.
About 10 days after we submit the documents to the MHLW, they will reply to us by phone call. If nothing is wrong, they say, “There is no problem with the papers.”
The regulation of CBD products is still strict in Japan, and recently regulators’ MHLW has established the following conditions regarding the import of CBD products.
Our CBD product export support service proceeds as follows:
1. Collection of necessary documents (customer’s work)
- Only mature Hemp’s main stems and seeds are accepted as the raw material of CBD. CBD extracted from hemp flowers, leaves and branches are prohibited in Japan. A written oath with a signature about this matter is required.
- The product should not contain THC. The examination result must be ND. CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS is required.
- Photographs of Hemp seeds, plant, and stems made as raw materials is required.
- The manufacturing process chart and photos of each stage (from extraction to bottling) is required.
- List of raw materials and additives.
Please prepare the documents requested by the MHLW, Quarantine Station, and Customs.
Please fill in each document with the company name, date, and signature of the person responsible. Paper with company letterhead is preferred.
After the contract is concluded, we will provide a sample of the required documents.
2. Submit documents to the MHLW (Our work)
We will submit the documents you prepared to the MHLW by e-mail.
Before sending by e-mail, we called MHLW and outlined the names and manufacturers of the products we applied for.
We submit documents to MHLW by e-mail, but they never reply. Never. I don’t know if their PCs are only for receiving or they don’t know how to reply. Anyway, they seem to hate leaving proof in writing. So, after we send them the documents by e-mail, We always make a phone call them and ask, “Did you receive the documents I sent by e-mail?” They always say “Yes, we will call you when the review is done.”
However, recently MHLW’s paperwork has become increasingly strict, and they claim to be very boring and require corrections.
Here is an example I have recently experienced. I had submitted a photo of hemp stems to MHLW as a raw material for CBD prepared by the manufacturer. But MHLW did not accept it. Because a few branches were shown in the photograph. Only photos showing the stem are allowed. They explained so. The manufacturer has prepared a photo approved by MHLW. I do not know How.
“Photos of the main stem of mature hemp, the raw material for CBD,” was not required when MHLW allowed imports for the first time in 2013. Unexpectedly, it was changed to the “rule” that would not allow importing unless you submit it. They operate the government very very very arbitrarily, which is characteristic of Japanese bureaucracy. I don’t know about other countries.
If you can provide the required documents, leave it to us, MHLW will call us someday and say “There is no problem with the papers”.
The customs procedures are complicated for the first time, but If the same product is imported by the same importer, the MHLW permit is no longer required for the second and subsequent times.
If you can prepare the necessary documents, The Japanese CBD market is waiting for your product.
If your company has plans and hopes to sell CBD products in Japan, please ask us.
We are looking forward to your contact.
| OUR SERVICE |
| 1. CBD PRODUCTS EXPORT SUPPORT SERVICE |
| 1-1. PERMISSION OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, LABOR AND WELFARE |
| 1-2. QUARANTINE PERMIT (IF THE PRODUCT IS FOOD)l |
| 1-3. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE |
| 1-4. HOW TO USE CBD PRODUCTS EXPORT SUPPORT SERVICE |
| 2. CBD PRODUCTS SALES SUPPORT SERVICE |
| 2-1. CBD WAREHOUSE SERVICE |
| 2-2. ON DEMAND SHIPPING |