# Prior confirmation in Japan
* Confirm in advance whether or not materials are import-prohibited articles.
# Confirmation in the exporting country
* Follow the export procedures in accordance with the exporting country.
Applications to the quarantine office of the exporting country (such as obtaining of phytosanitary certificate or health certificate) may be needed.
In some cases procedures associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity are necessary.
You need to have a preliminary talk with the joint research partner.
* If the material is imported via mail, please make sure to write down or attach the "Plant" or "Plant Seed" label to the package.
# Procedures in Japan
(1) In the case of Hand Carried
Bring samples* in your luggage or pocket to the animal/plant quarantine service counter before proceeding to customs (after passport control).
* Seeds, Seedlings, Plants, Specimens, etc.
An 'Official Certified Seal of Inspection' will be issued to your samples when they have passed the inspection.
(2) In the case of Mail
Confirm that an 'Official Certified Seal of Inspection' is put on the package. If the seal cannot be found, contact the nearest Animal Quarantine Service office or Plant Protection Station without opening the mail.
(If mail is opened without an Official Certified Seal of Inspection and materials are cultivated or bred in open field, there is a possibility that animal/plant infectious diseases would gain a foothold in Japan and may cause fatal damage to the livestock industry/agriculture. In addition, the university might be required to take measures such as sterilization or epidemic prevention and suffer significant damage. Any person who violates these rules shall be punished by imprisonment and work for not more than three years or a fine of not more than one million yen.)
Please contact the MMC if specific procedures, such as the import process and the application for approval by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, are necessary. We will support you.
