Can I bring FreezeDried food into Japan?

Is it permitted to bring commercially made FreezedDried food/packets into Japan for hiking? Some does contain meat but its processed and freeze-dried. I've read the Japanese customs but am still not 100% clear on this niche product. The products/packets are made in NZ and are factory sealed

They have the same products in Japan. Just by it there.

https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_quarantine_en.html

meat product. too much effort for something already available in japan.

h - can you please provide a Japanese link to NewZealand freeze-dried HIKING foods on sale in Japan? I'm not sure where to find it. Thanks.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/hikingupsidedown.wordpress.com/2016/11/01...

Scroll down. Dried meats and cheeses are readily available at supermarkets and combinis.

Thanks H. From experience when you're burning about 4000-5000calories/day in Japan hiking and mountaineering on long multi-day alpine trips the Japanese freezedried 300calorie foods are just tiny - like snacks. The specialised NZ/American freeze-dried hiking specific foods really are superior in calories/taste/range and size - they are expensive. Where can I buy these in Tokyo please?

Anything imported is expensive. This is universal.
The rules are not negotiable.
And you want to come over to Japan.
Your options should be
a. Pay more for NZ food than you do in your home.
b. To bear Japanese hiking food.
c. To not hike in Japan.

Tai - thank you for your reply. Of COURSE everybody understands imported foods are expensive - happy to pay whatever! (Many meals do not contain any meats - 'grey area'? Other meals have a special NZ food import certificate - 'grey area'?) I also understand that any rules in Japan are not negotiable - I have been coming to Japan annually since 1985 (except 2020) - including three times living in Japan for extended periods with work - so yes I understand 'the deal' here - no need to be lectured.

Tai (and h/H) - keep saying/suggesting that the NZ meals ARE available in Japan. I am more than happy to pay much more for special NZ (or US) hiking/expedition freeze dried food in Japan than I do in my home country - so then WHERE exactly do I buy these meals (NZ or US) in Tokyo please?

Some delicious, satisfying NZ freeze-dried brands: BackCountry, Radix, OutdoorGourmet etc.

I don't think anyone is actually saying that the New Zealand ones specifically are available, just that domestic equivalents are. Personally I'd be surprised if you could get the NZ ones in Japan. Though I'll stand to be corrected, it just seems like retailers wouldn't go through the hassle and expense of importing a product for which virtually no market exists (since 9/10 times Japanese people prefer Japanese brands). Just anecdotally, I'm no expert on the matter but I have bought the kind of products you are after a couple of times and don't recall ever seeing any from western brands (I would have bought them otherwise). Maybe the shops I went to just weren't very good? Like I said I'll be happy to be wrong about this, but I think you might have to settle for the inferior products.

Thanks for your reply Liz. Yes I think some here with no understanding are comparing apples to oranges - not the same thing. About all I can find (by googling) are basic low-cal Japanese freeze-dried ramen, rice, and miso - that's about it - okayish for simple overnight hikes I guess. It's ashame the amazing NZ/US freeze-dried hiking meals aren't available as they are excellent, tasty and high in the necessary calories for climbers/hikers. The high quality NZ Radix freeze-dried meals are specifically designed by sport nutritionists for expeditions. I'll try and bring some meat-free Vegan meals in (fully and honestly declaring at customs) as I can't see why they would be banned. If they confiscate them - so be it. I mean milk products are banned but they still allow chocolate and TimTams which obviously contain milk.

Hi,

I suspect the issue is more processing and the chances of any possible agricultural contagions, which is why Customs isn't going to take away TimTams.

If you as an individual tries to bring TimTams in, it would be a problem. TimTams sold at shops in Japan have been gone through proper processes to be imported. The beef from NZ is commonly sold at supermarkets but it doesn't mean you can bring it in your bag.

My husband ran a NZ meat company in Japan when we lived there several years ago. My suggestion is to declare it and see how it goes. Japanese MAF look favourably on NZ And AU meat. You can get NZ jerky in very easily. Has the freeze-dried product got the ME stamp from the slaughterhouse on it? Makes it easier, as Japan MAF have a list of export certified slaughterhouses. My only concern is the actual person you deal with as you go through the e to declaref channels... some of these young people in uniforms are not always familiar with all aspects, especially if something is not what they see a lot of. Do try, and good luck.

I've brought TimTams, chocolates, macadamia nuts and many other foods many times over the years as gifts. I just declared them, had them inspected by Japan customs and allowed to bring in. In the past I've also brought in beef/lamb to Japan from Australia as hand luggage or checked in - bought at Sydney airport from a specialist shop and sealed with an approved special Customs import seal with an individual serial/tracking number. From memory sold as 2 or 6kg units.

I've also just had my 'imported' freeze-dried hiking food questions answered on a specialist Japanese outdoor forum which I've just found.

Ifd still try and bring them in regardless. The worst that can happen is that the customs officer tells you they canft be imported and need to be thrown away. Itfs not like they are going to refuse entry or deport you or anything for trying to import some declared hiking snacks anyway.