Sesame export requirements for Japan
The compliance checklist for exporting sesame from West Africa to Japan — 3 requirements across 2 categories. Market risk: Medium.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026 · verify against official sources before shipment.
What you need for Japan
Phytosanitary & Quality
Japan’s Plant Protection Station lists sesame among the dried plants that still need a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting government plus import inspection under the Plant Protection Act. Plants arriving without the certificate are disposed of.
Destination Market Access
Anyone importing food for sale or business use in Japan must notify the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare for every shipment (Food Sanitation Act Art. 27); food cannot be sold without it. Quarantine-station inspectors examine the documents and may order inspection (for example for products with past violations); cargo that fails cannot be imported. For shea, this covers shea butter imported as food.
Since 1 October 2011, food in which total aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) exceed 10 µg/kg is treated as violating Article 6(2) of Japan’s Food Sanitation Act. Inspection samples are 1 kg for products whose single grain weighs 0.1 g or less and 5 kg above that; a lot fails if any sample exceeds the limit.
Sesame → Japan questions
Do I need a phytosanitary certificate (japan plant protection act) to export sesame to Japan?
Yes — Phytosanitary Certificate (Japan Plant Protection Act) is one of the required items for the Sesame → Japan lane. This page lists the full checklist, and you can check your own status free.
Is sesame to Japan covered by EUDR?
This lane is not primarily driven by EUDR; its requirements are mainly phytosanitary, food-safety and market-access documents. See the full list above.
How long does it take to become compliant for sesame → Japan?
Individual items range from a few days to a few weeks; the longest single item here is an estimated 0 days, so start well ahead of your shipment.
Score your Sesame → Japan readiness
Run the free checker against this list and see exactly where you stand.