Import Procedures

Since 2018, we have been optimizing the importation of cannabinoids into Japan.

Below are four outlined procedures which serve most non-medical purposes for hemp-derived and bioidentical synthetic cannabinoids.

HEMP-DERIVED

PURPOSES: COSMETICS, R&D, VAPE, ETC.

NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICINE, FOOD OR BEVERAGE.

STATEMENT LETTER DESCRIBING THE MATERIALS DERIVATION

The certificate must include the following:

The date the documentation was created
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the manufacturing of the ingredient.
An indication that the cannabinoid contained in the product was extracted from hemp stalk and/or seed.
Must provide at least one statement speaking to the fact you tried to find evidence for THC in your product but failed, e.g., “To the best of our ability, THC was not detectable using our analytical methods as evidenced by our Certificate of Analysis.”

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS

The analysis report must include the following:

Test results for THC and the target cannabinoid
The date the documentation was created and the date of testing
A number that can identify the cannabinoid product such as LOT or Batch number
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the analytical service and person who conducted the test. These can be the same person.
At the very minimum, provide the test method, instrument used, and the Limit of Detection (LOD)

PHOTOS OF RAW MATERIAL AND EXTRACTION PROCESS

Raw Material

Photos that show the raw material being extracted from, namely the stalk and/or the seed of the hemp. These photos should not contain any hemp leaves, buds, branches, roots, etc. These photos should show the entire part being extracted - overview not a close up photo showing only part of the hemp plant.

Extraction Process

Photos showing the entire process of the raw material being extracted, from it being ground up to it being purified and packaged up. It is okay to omit any intellectual property but being as detailed and transparent as possible will greatly improve the chance of approval for import.

Once we have these items, we will have them approved by the MGLW. If anything is missing, the item will not be allowed for import. Once approved, we will contact you and let you know the product can be shipped from your country. Please ensure you attach a hard copy of all of these documents to the outside of the package for the MGLW to inspect once your package arrives to Japan.

hemp cos

HEMP-DERIVED

PURPOSES: FOOD AND BEVERAGE

NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICINE.

STATEMENT LETTER DESCRIBING THE MATERIALS DERIVATION

The certificate must include the following:

The date the documentation was created
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the manufacturing of the ingredient.
An indication that the cannabinoid contained in the product was extracted from hemp stalk and/or seed.
Must provide at least one statement speaking to the fact you tried to find evidence for THC in your product but failed, e.g., “To the best of our ability, THC was not detectable using our analytical methods as evidenced by our Certificate of Analysis.”

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS

The analysis report must include the following:

Test results for THC and the target cannabinoid
The date the documentation was created and the date of testing
A number that can identify the cannabinoid product such as LOT or Batch number
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the analytical service and person who conducted the test. These can be the same person.
At the very minimum, provide the test method, instrument used, and the Limit of Detection (LOD)

PHOTOS OF RAW MATERIAL AND EXTRACTION PROCESS

Raw Material

Photos that show the raw material being extracted from, namely the stalk and/or the seed of the hemp. These photos should not contain any hemp leaves, buds, branches, roots, etc. These photos should show the entire part being extracted - overview not a close up photo showing only part of the hemp plant.

Extraction Process

Photos showing the entire process of the raw material being extracted, from it being ground up to it being purified and packaged up. It is okay to omit any intellectual property but being as detailed and transparent as possible will greatly improve the chance of approval for import.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT

The description must include the following:

Product name
Description of ingredients
Manufacturer’s name and address
Raw materials used to make the product, including any solvents and catalysts still present or removed during the manufacturing process
Flowchart of how the product is made - the manufacturing process
Purpose and use of the product
Safety Data Sheet and a Statement about the products safety as a Food or Beverage
Statement mentioning that Radiation was NOT used as a sterilization method (for Health Supplement pills and powders)

hemp food&bev

BIOIDENTICAL SYNTHETIC

PURPOSES: COSMETICS, R&D, VAPE, ETC.

NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICINE, FOOD OR BEVERAGE.

STATEMENT LETTER DESCRIBING THE MATERIALS DERIVATION

The certificate must include the following:

The date the documentation was created
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the manufacturing of the ingredient.
An indication that the cannabinoid was chemically synthesized.
Description of the chemical synthesis method, including naming the precursors used.
Must provide at least one statement speaking to the fact you tried to find evidence for THC in your product but failed, e.g., “To the best of our ability, THC was not detectable using our analytical methods as evidenced by our Certificate of Analysis.”

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS

The analysis report must include the following:

Test results for THC and the target cannabinoid
The date the documentation was created and the date of testing
A number that can identify the cannabinoid product such as a Batch number
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the analytical service and person who conducted the test. These can be the same person.
At the very minimum, provide the test method, instrument used, and the Limit of Detection (LOD)

FLOWCHART OF CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS

The flowchart must include the following:

This should be a graphical and not simply text.
Must use arrows to show the direction of the reaction from start to finish.
Must include the precursors and the major reactions involved in the synthesis reaction. Transparency improves the chances of being approved but do be mindful of the intellectual property.
All chemicals described in the process should list the common name or IUPAC name along with the CHEMICAL STRUCTURES of each chemical named in the process.
All solvents used should be named on the flowchart. It may be okay to be general, e.g., alcohol, if there is a concern of intellectual property damage. Still, know that more details may be requested if you are too vague when describing solvents.
All acids and bases used should be named on the flowchart. It may be okay to be general, e.g., Lewis acids and bases, if there is a concern of intellectual property damage. Still, know that more details may be requested if you are too vague when describing acids and bases.
Should clearly indicate the final product (target cannabinoid) either by large text, highlighting, circling, etc.

syn cos

BIOIDENTICAL SYNTHETIC

PURPOSES: FOOD AND BEVERAGE

NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEDICINE.

STATEMENT LETTER DESCRIBING THE MATERIALS DERIVATION

The certificate must include the following:

The date the documentation was created
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the manufacturing of the ingredient.
An indication that the cannabinoid was chemically synthesized.
Description of the chemical synthesis method, including naming the precursors used.
Must provide at least one statement speaking to the fact you tried to find evidence for THC in your product but failed, e.g., “To the best of our ability, THC was not detectable using our analytical methods as evidenced by our Certificate of Analysis.”

CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS

The analysis report must include the following:

Test results for THC and the target cannabinoid
The date the documentation was created and the date of testing
A number that can identify the cannabinoid product such as a Batch number
Name, person’s title and signature of the individual in charge of the analytical service and person who conducted the test. These can be the same person.
At the very minimum, provide the test method, instrument used, and the Limit of Detection (LOD)

FLOWCHART OF CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS

The flowchart must include the following:

This should be a graphical and not simply text.
Must use arrows to show the direction of the reaction from start to finish.
Must include the precursors and the major reactions involved in the synthesis reaction. Transparency improves the chances of being approved but do be mindful of the intellectual property.
All chemicals described in the process should list the common name or IUPAC name along with the CHEMICAL STRUCTURES of each chemical named in the process.
All solvents used should be named on the flowchart. It may be okay to be general, e.g., alcohol, if there is a concern of intellectual property damage. Still, know that more details may be requested if you are too vague when describing solvents.
All acids and bases used should be named on the flowchart. It may be okay to be general, e.g., Lewis acids and bases, if there is a concern of intellectual property damage. Still, know that more details may be requested if you are too vague when describing acids and bases.
Should clearly indicate the final product (target cannabinoid) either by large text, highlighting, circling, etc.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT

The description must include the following:

Product name
Description of ingredients
Manufacturer’s name and address
Raw materials used to make the product, including any solvents and catalysts still present or removed during the manufacturing process
Flowchart of how the product is made - the manufacturing process. Must indicate at which point the product (ingredient) is considered a food (such as circling it and writing "this part is what we consider food")
Purpose and use of the product
Safety Data Sheet and a Statement about the products safety as a Food or Beverage
Statement mentioning that Radiation was NOT used as a sterilization method (for Health Supplement pills and powders)
Evidence the product has been sold outside the country is was manufactured. Evidence of another asian country, or Japan, already found to import the product will greatly put Customs at ease and improve the chances of import approval for use as a Food and/or Beverage.

syn food