Pharmacist · English Edition
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After graduating from the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences at a national university, she worked at a major dispensing pharmacy chain in Japan. She has reviewed beauty products on social media since her student days and is good at explaining complex ingredients in plain words. She is bilingual in Japanese and English. At Japan Medical Press she writes and reviews articles on medicines and beauty, looks after the English edition, and handles our work with medical institutions.
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- Fee
- Free
- Processing time
- A few business days once the application is complete
- Apply to
- Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
What the certificate is
The Yakkan Shoumei, officially the Import Confirmation Certificate for pharmaceuticals, is a document issued by a Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare that lets you bring more medicine into Japan than the personal-use limits allow. Customs officers may ask for it when your quantity exceeds those limits, for example more than a one-month supply of a prescription medicine or of a self-injection product. [1]
When do you need a Yakkan Shoumei?
- More than a one-month supply of prescription medicine, or more than a two-month supply of over-the-counter medicine. [1]
- Any injectable product, including insulin pens and pre-filled syringes, beyond a one-month supply. [1]
- Medical devices for personal use beyond the allowed set, such as more than one blood-glucose meter. [2]
Narcotics such as morphine, and stimulants' raw materials such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), need a different permit from a different office. If your prescription contains one of these, apply to the Narcotics Control Department instead, at least 14 days before you travel. Psychotropics such as diazepam or zolpidem need no permit. Within the quantity published for each drug you need no paperwork; above it you carry a doctor's certificate; and more than a one-month supply, or an injectable form, also needs the import confirmation. [3]
Documents to prepare
- The application form for import confirmation, available on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) website. [1]
- A copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating the drug name, dosage and treatment period. [1]
- A product description showing the active ingredients, such as the package leaflet or the manufacturer's page. [1]
- A copy of your passport and your flight details, so the bureau can match the certificate to your entry date. [1]
How to submit
Applications go to the Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau for arrivals at Narita, Haneda and other ports in the Hakodate, Tokyo and Yokohama customs areas, and to the Kinki Regional Bureau for arrivals from the Nagoya customs area westward, including Chubu (Centrair), Kansai, Fukuoka and Naha. [1] Apply through MHLW's online Import Confirmation Information System, which has been the standard route since July 2025. If you cannot get the online system to work, the MHLW Q&A tells you to email the form and documents to the bureau for your arrival airport. [2][4] Include the destination airport and the arrival date in your application. [1]
How long does it take to be issued?
MHLW says the certificate is normally issued within a few business days of a complete application, not counting weekends and national holidays. [5] Incomplete paperwork, such as a prescription without the dosage or a product without an ingredient list, is the most common cause of delay. We suggest applying about two weeks before departure, to leave room for corrections.
At the airport
Carry the certificate, the prescription and the medicine together in your carry-on bag, and keep the medicine in its original packaging. Declare it on the customs form if asked, and present the certificate at inspection. The certificate covers a single entry, so if you visit Japan repeatedly, you need a new one for each trip. [1]
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need a Yakkan Shoumei for a one-week trip?
Usually not. If you carry no more than a one-month supply of prescription medicine and it contains no controlled substance, no certificate is required.
Is the certificate free?
Yes. There is no fee for the Import Confirmation Certificate itself.
Can I apply after I arrive in Japan?
No. The certificate must be issued before you enter Japan, and it is checked at customs on arrival.
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan mhlw.go.jp
- Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare — Procedures of Bringing Medicines into Japan kouseikyoku.mhlw.go.jp
- Narcotics Control Department, Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare — Bringing narcotics and psychotropics into Japan ncd.mhlw.go.jp
- Kanto-Shin'etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare — Import procedures for medicines (医薬品等の輸入手続について) (Japanese) kouseikyoku.mhlw.go.jp
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Q&A for those who are importing medicines into Japan (PDF, linked from the page above) mhlw.go.jp
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This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified physician.
