Japan has expanded prior notification requirements for live rabbits (Leporidae) and live honeybees (Apis spp.) to enhance domestic animal infectious disease control, effective 1 January 2027, as part of a revised ministerial ordinance.
Japan Requires 40-Day Notice for Rabbit and Bee Imports
Importers must submit prior notification at least 40 days before arrival for live rabbits and honeybees.
What changed
Prior notification required for live rabbits (Leporidae) and honeybees (Apis spp.) before arrival in Japan.
Must use Appended Form 21-3 to submit notification to the Animal Quarantine Service.
40-day deadline for notification submission prior to animal arrival.
Who it affects
Importers of live rabbits must submit prior notification 40 days before arrival using Form 21-3.
Importers of live honeybees must follow the same 40-day prior notification requirement.
What to do
Submit prior notification to Animal Quarantine Service at least 40 days before arrival.
Use Appended Form 21-3 for the notification submission.
Ensure imports of live rabbits (HS 010614) and honeybees (HS 010641) comply by 1 January 2027.
Key dates
Regulation Analysis: Expansion of Prior Notification Requirements for Live Rabbits and Honeybees in Japan
From 1 January 2027, Japan will require prior notification for the importation of live rabbits (Leporidae) and live honeybees (Apis spp.) to strengthen domestic animal infectious disease control. This change is implemented through a revision to Article 47-2 of the Ministerial Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control1.
Key Requirements
- Scope of Animals Covered
- Live rabbits (family Leporidae) and live honeybees (genus Apis spp.) are added to the list of animals subject to prior notification before arrival in Japan1.
- Obligation
- Importers must submit a prior notification to Japanese authorities before the animals arrive in Japan. This requirement applies to all trading partners1.
- Objective
- The measure aims to enhance animal health and ensure smooth quarantine procedures by enabling pre-arrival risk assessment1.
- Regulatory Authority
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is responsible for enforcement.
- Timeline
- Proposed adoption/publication: July 2026.
- Entry into force: 1 January 2027 (six months after publication).
- International Standards
- No relevant international standard (e.g., OIE, Codex, IPPC) applies to this regulation1.
Compliance Table
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control | Governs infectious disease control for domestic animals, including import measures1. | Ongoing | MAFF |
| Ministerial Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act (Revised Article 47-2) | Requires prior notification for live rabbits (Leporidae) and honeybees (Apis spp.) before import1. | 1 January 2027 | MAFF |
| WTO Notification (G/SPS/N/JPN/600) | Public consultation period open until 27 June 2026 for stakeholder comments. | 27 June 2026 | Japan Enquiry Point (MOFA) |
Additional Notes
- No deviations from international standards are noted, as no applicable standard exists for this measure1.
- Comments on the proposed revision may be submitted to the Japan Enquiry Point (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) by 27 June 2026.
- The full text of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control is available in English, while the Ministerial Ordinance is currently available only in Japanese.
Summary Answer
Effective 1 January 2027, Japan will require prior notification for imports of live rabbits (Leporidae) and live honeybees (Apis spp.) under a revised Ministerial Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control1. The measure, enforced by MAFF, applies to all trading partners and aims to improve animal health and quarantine efficiency1. No international standard governs this requirement1, and stakeholders may submit comments until 27 June 2026. The regulation will be adopted in July 2026.
Sources
- ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NJPN1406.docx