What happens

Bringing sugar itself, or certain processed goods with a high sugar content, into Japan involves paying an adjustment levy at customs.

If your goods are covered and the procedure is not followed, the shipment stops at customs.

Why this happens

Japan protects domestic sugar growers and manufacturers by keeping cheap imported sugar from entering without limit, and the adjustment levy is the mechanism.

The legal basis is the Act on Price Adjustment of Sugar and Starch. The levy is collected as the difference on a sale of the imported sugar to the Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC).

The levy covers designated sugars (raw and refined), high-fructose corn syrup, and the sugar-containing products designated by cabinet order — a subset of goods with a high sugar content.

Not every processed food containing sugar is covered.

The amount varies with the item, the volume, and the index for that fiscal year.

Check the official sources

These pages carry the Act with its orders and ordinances, and ALIC's list of covered items and procedures.

Bringing it into Japan

If your goods are covered, you pay the sale difference to ALIC by the day before your import declaration, and submit the acknowledgement you receive to customs with the declaration. Samples and goods for personal use can also require the procedure.

Knowing the sugar content of your items in advance keeps the process moving.

Taking it back out of Japan

If the country you are returning to restricts imports of sugar products, check separately with its customs or import authority.

How KUROZAKI helps

Before move-in, we check whether anything among your exhibits is subject to the levy.

Where it is, we walk you through the declaration and prepare it with you.

If you are not sure

If you plan to bring food or drink containing sugar as an exhibit, talk to us before you exhibit.