Guide to Importing Animals and Plants from Overseas | CITES, Quarantine, and Transportation Basics

Many rare animals and plants difficult to obtain domestically in Japan exist overseas. However, importing animals and plants from overseas involves numerous hurdles, including international treaties and domestic regulations, quarantine procedures, and special transportation requirements. If an individual attempts this on impulse, they may find themselves forced to abandon the import halfway through if permits are not granted. This article explains the basic knowledge that individuals should know when importing animals and plants from overseas.

CITES (Washington Convention) Basics

CITES is an abbreviation for the "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora," and is a treaty that regulates international trade in wild animals and plants. Approximately 184 countries are members, and target species are classified into three appendices.

You can check whether the animals or plants you are considering purchasing are subject to CITES on the websites of the Ministry of the Environment or the CITES Secretariat. Importing CITES-listed species without permission is subject to punishment as a violation of the Customs Law or the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species. When actually obtaining a permit, in addition to the permit issued by the export country's administrative authority, you must also present the permit to customs when bringing it into Japan. Even for Appendix II species, the examination may be handled differently depending on whether the specimen is captive-bred (CB specimen) or wild-caught (WC specimen), so confirming the origin of the individual with the seller before purchase will smooth the process. Since it often takes a certain period of time to issue permits, it is important to proceed with a generous schedule.

Quarantine Procedures

When importing animals and plants, you must comply with Japan's quarantine system.

• For animals, quarantine is conducted based on the Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Prevention Law and the Rabies Prevention Law.
• Dogs and cats are subject to particularly strict quarantine, and may require 180 days of quarantine.
• Reptiles and amphibians often require relatively simple procedures, but health certificates may be required in some cases.
• In most cases, fish are not subject to quarantine, but import restrictions may be imposed if specific diseases are detected.
• For plants, import inspection is required based on the Plant Protection Law. Plants with soil are generally prohibited from import and must be in a bare-root state with roots washed. Obtaining a Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country is also necessary.

If pests or diseases are detected during quarantine, disinfection, or incineration and return will occur. Since the quarantine period and required documents vary by animal species and exporting country, it is reassuring to consult with the Animal Quarantine Station or Plant Quarantine Station before making a purchase. The exporting country also often requires inspection and certificate issuance before departure, and preparation may take longer than expected. For personal imports, it is easier to reduce problems caused by document deficiencies by requesting a specialist to handle customs and quarantine procedures.

Transportation Methods and Precautions

Air transportation is the standard for international live animal shipping. Packing that complies with the IATA (International Air Transport Association) "Rules for the Transport of Live Animals" is required. Transportation time is determined by the total time from departure to arrival, and it is desirable to be within 24 hours. Since it is greatly affected by temperature, transporting in midsummer or midwinter carries high risk, and if possible, choose mild spring or autumn climates.

• For transporting fish and corals, it is common to pack oxygen in plastic bags and pack them in styrofoam boxes with insulation materials.
• Reptiles are placed in cloth bags and packed in styrofoam boxes filled with insulation materials.
• For plants, the basic method is to wrap the roots in sphagnum moss and ensure adequate airflow in the packing.

Choose a specialized transporter with a track record in international live animal shipping. General delivery services do not accept international live animal transportation. Depending on the airline schedule, there may be transfers, which place additional stress on the animals, so it is desirable to choose a route that allows for direct flights whenever possible. After arrival, it is important to promptly pick up the animals at the airport's animal handling counter and avoid prolonged waiting. Before shipping, confirm with your transportation company or airline about the possibility of animal transportation and the required packing standards.

Tariffs, Taxes, and Legal Risks

Tariffs and consumption tax apply to imported animals and plants.

• The tariff rate for live animals varies by item, ranging from duty-free to several percent.
• Live plants (such as orchids and cacti) are often duty-free, but some items are subject to tariffs.
• Consumption tax (10%) applies in either case.

Additionally, in addition to product costs, international shipping, insurance, and customs fees also apply, so the total cost often becomes several times that of domestic purchases. Since the exact amount of tariffs and taxes varies depending on the item and country of origin, it is reassuring to inquire with customs or a customs broker in advance and confirm the estimate. The most important legal risk to be aware of is importing without permission. If you import CITES-listed species without a permit, the specimen will be confiscated and you will be subject to criminal penalties. Additionally, species designated as Specified Alien Species under the Invasive Alien Species Act are prohibited from import altogether. Depending on the country of purchase, local export regulations and animal and plant protection laws may also apply separately, so you must verify not only CITES and domestic Japanese laws, but also the regulations of the exporting country. Since ignorance is not an excuse, thoroughly research legal requirements before importing.

Common Questions About Personal Imports

• How much will it cost? In addition to the cost of the animals themselves, international shipping, quarantine fees, customs clearance fees, tariffs, and consumption tax all add up, so you should get an individual estimate to confirm the total.
• How long will it take to import? Since obtaining permits and completing quarantine procedures requires a certain amount of time, there will be differences depending on the specimen and exporting country, but it is reassuring to plan a generous schedule.
• What are the benefits of using an import agent? You can entrust comprehensive specialized tasks such as permit applications, quarantine procedures, and customs clearance, making it easier to avoid problems caused by document deficiencies.
• How should I confirm the health status of the specimen? It is a good idea to confirm the health status and test results with the seller or exporter in advance, and request a health certificate if necessary.

Safely Obtaining Through Domestic BreederDirect

Since personal imports from overseas involve complex procedures and high risks, we recommend first considering obtaining animals domestically. BreederDirect allows you to purchase directly from domestic breeders working on breeding rare species, eliminating concerns about legal risks and shipping troubles. Rare species of overseas origin can also be safely obtained if the specimen has been captive-bred domestically (CB specimen). The ability to directly confirm the condition of the specimen and its rearing environment with the seller is also a unique reassurance of domestic purchases. If you must import a species from overseas that you cannot find domestically, we strongly recommend consulting with an experienced importer.