I’m flying from India to Japan tomorrow. I plan to carry with me some home cooked dry snacks and food that’ll last two three days. I didn’t see it mentioned in the restricted items on JAL website.
Does anybody have any idea about this? Is there any requirement that i have to carry it in sealed plastic bags only or something like that?
11 comments
There’s a whole TV show dedicated to airport staff busting foreigners carrying food in. If it’s dry and grains based like crackers you’ll probably be okay. If you’re unsure then ask the staff at the airport in India , and also declare it in Japan at customs so they can take a look at it. I don’t think you’ll have a problem but be prepared to have to forfeit your grub just in case
You should be able to eat it on the plane, but you might not be able to bring it past the customs gate at the Japan Airport.
Usually you can bring it on the plane, but you may not be able to bring it in to Japan.
If it’s any form of meat, there are a lot of restrictions, the meat needs to be inspected before the travel and should be in the original packaging.
Other food might be ok, but many vegetables and fruits are also restricted.
Bringing in cooked food into a country is usually not ok. The ingredients, in original packaging may be okay.
[removed]
Customs checked my bags when I returned to Japan recently. They were ok with dried fruit, instant ramen and dry camping food. I think dry snacks would be fine if they’re not meat.
[This is a good source](https://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/about/import_restrictions.html#Food) for seeing what foods are not allowed to be brought into Japan. If you snacks don’t contain these items/ingredients, you’ll be fine.
They serve food on the plane. Don’t be the guy that brings his own stinky snacks.
Just don’t, why risk it
Well, I normally pack my luggage with ham and cheese. The duty free shops from the airport I typically use have JP staff in the cheese area. So I am pretty sure that I am not the only one.
It seems that the normal thing to do is to smuggle things, and if caught, apologize.
So far, I have never been asked to open my bag, and I have been there for 15 years. I am a white dude, but I have to admit that I have seen customs open bags for asian passengers, many times.
Funny story: a few years ago, I was following my usual routine and was bringing cheese and uncured ham back to Japan. Customs had dogs, and one of them took interest in my luggage, for obvious reasons. The dog sniffed my bag for a very long time, but still nobody asked me to open it 😉 I think that they knew what was going on but didn’t care.
I don’t think any meat, fruit or vegetables are allowed. Don’t know if say potato crisps counts as vegetables though.
Did you reached Japan, any restrictions over food how was your experience?