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Exporting soft drinks and other beverages from Japan

Soft drinks are food under Japan's export certificate law, so MAFF issues certificates only when the destination's government asks. Brazil asks for a MAFF certificate of origin for soft drinks, powdered drinks and vinegar, with an analysis report from a laboratory Brazil has registered. Other destinations may ask for a free sale certificate.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Certificate law
Export Facilitation Act, Act No. 57 of 2019
Brazil
MAFF certificate of origin plus a SISCOLE laboratory report
Products covered for Brazil
Soft drinks, powdered soft drinks and vinegar
Free sale certificate
Regional Agricultural Administration Offices
Fee
870 yen per application for State-issued certificates

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Does the destination's government ask for a certificate? Read more
  2. 2Is the drink going to Brazil, with its origin certificate and analysis report? Read more
  3. 3Does the importer need a free sale certificate? Read more
  4. 4Who declares it to Customs, and with which documents? Read more
  5. 5Is the export permit kept for the consumption tax exemption? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Export certificates under the Export Facilitation Act

When a destination's government asks for one, MAFF, MHLW, MOF, prefectures or registered bodies issue the certificate under the 2019 Act.

  • A competent minister may issue an export certificate, showing a product meets the destination's import conditions, when that country's government calls for it and the exporter applies (Article 15).
  • Ministers may also designate conforming areas (Article 16) and certify conforming establishments (Article 17) where a destination makes that an import condition.
  • Each destination and product has its own handling rules (取扱要綱), listed in the tables to the procedural rules.
  • Applications go through MAFF's export certificate issuing system; a new system, JEXS, is due to replace it in January 2027.
  • Since 1 April 2025, certificates issued by the State cost 870 yen per application; nuclear-related certificates are free.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate with the shipment and lot it names, dated, and reads it against what the destination asks for. Ask about this

Soft drinks for Brazil

Brazil asks for a certificate of origin on its own form and an analysis report from a laboratory it has registered.

  • The rules cover soft drinks, powdered soft drinks and vinegar produced or processed in Japan.
  • The certificate states that the product was made in Japan, meets Japan's standards and is sold in Japan without problems.
  • Products with a JAS mark are certified promptly; otherwise the office checks that the drink meets the soft drink standards in the Specifications and Standards for Food and Food Additives (MHW Notification No. 370 of 1959).
  • An analysis report from a Japanese laboratory registered under Brazil's SISCOLE system goes with the application; the exporter checks that it meets Brazil's standards.
  • Applications are made per factory and product, through MAFF's export certificate system, NACCS or on paper, to the Regional Agricultural Administration Office.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the analysis report and the certificate of origin with the lot they cover, and shows when a new lot still needs either. Ask about this

Free sale certificates

A certificate that a drink is made and lawfully sold in Japan.

  • Drinks are food under the Food Sanitation Act; the free sale certificate covers food made in Japan in the form sold in shops.
  • It is issued only where the destination's import procedure requires it, by the Regional Agricultural Administration Office for the applicant's prefecture.
  • It states that the drink can be sold in Japan; it does not certify the safety of each product exported.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the certificate with the lot and invoice it covers, dated. Ask about this

Export declaration and customs clearance

Goods leave Japan on an export declaration to Customs and an export permit, with the permits other laws require.

  • Exporters declare the goods to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an export permit, after any physical examination (Customs Act, Articles 67 and 70).
  • The declaration gives the goods' code, name, quantity and price, the destination, the consignor and the carrier, and is lodged with an invoice; a packing list and permits under other laws may be needed.
  • The exporter or a customs broker acting for it files the declaration; goods are usually permitted once in the hozei (bonded) area.
  • Where another law requires a permit, approval or inspection, Customs does not permit export until it is shown (Customs Act, Article 70).
  • Exporters keep books and documents, such as contracts, invoices and packing lists, for 5 years from the day after the export permit.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the invoice, packing list and export permit with the shipment and lot, dated, and shows what is missing before the goods are declared. Ask about this

Consumption tax exemption on export

Sales that are exports are exempt from consumption tax, on proof of export.

    • When a sale is an export transaction, consumption tax is exempted; input tax on purchases for that export can still be credited.
    • Proof is needed: for goods given an export permit, the export permit (a document certified by the Director-General of Customs), kept for 7 years.
    • Postal exports of 200,000 yen or less use Japan Post's receipt and dispatch slip instead.

    How we help: Compliant Always keeps each export permit with the sale it proves, dated, and shows which shipments still lack one. Ask about this

    Who answers for what

    WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
    ExporterApplying for certificates where the destination asks, and checking the laboratory report against Brazil's standards.Reports and certificates kept with each shipment, dated.
    ManufacturerMaking the drink to Japan's standards, and the records an office may ask for.Specifications and analysis results kept with the product.
    Customs brokerThe export declaration, with the invoice and any permits.The shipment's documents in one place before the declaration.
    Certifying authorityMAFF's Regional Agricultural Administration Offices, for certificates of origin and free sale certificates.Each certificate read against what the destination asks for.

    Where certificates are issued

    Most export certificates for food are applied for at MAFF's Regional Agricultural Administration Offices, the Hokkaido Regional Agricultural Administration Office or the Okinawa General Bureau; some are issued by prefectures or cities with public health centres, or by registered issuing bodies.

    Liquor certificates are issued by the regional taxation bureau for the brewery's location. Plant and animal export inspections are done by the Plant Protection Station and the Animal Quarantine Service at ports and airports.

    Where are the goods going?

    Most of what soft drinks and other beverages have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

    Questions businesses ask

    Do I need an export certificate to export soft drinks from Japan?
    Only if the destination's government asks for one. Under the Export Facilitation Act, MAFF issues certificates on request; Brazil is one destination that asks for a certificate of origin for soft drinks.
    What does Brazil require for soft drinks from Japan?
    A certificate of origin on Brazil's form, issued by MAFF, and an analysis report from a Japanese laboratory registered under Brazil's SISCOLE system. The exporter checks that the report meets Brazil's standards.
    Which drinks does the Brazil certificate cover?
    Soft drinks, powdered soft drinks and vinegar produced or processed in Japan. Liquor for Brazil has its own certificate of origin, issued by the regional taxation bureau.
    What does MAFF check before issuing the Brazil certificate?
    The exporter, maker and Brazilian importer, the product details and whether it has a JAS mark. Without a JAS mark, the office checks that the drink is made and sold in Japan and meets the soft drink standards.
    How do I apply for the Brazil soft drink certificate?
    Through MAFF's export certificate system, NACCS or on paper, to the Regional Agricultural Administration Office, for each factory and product. Electronic application files are kept for one year after issue.
    How much does a Japanese export certificate for drinks cost?
    Since 1 April 2025, certificates issued by the State under the Export Facilitation Act, including the Brazil soft drink certificate of origin, cost 870 yen per application.
    Can I get a free sale certificate for bottled drinks from Japan?
    Yes, for drinks made in Japan in retail form that can be sold in Japan, where the destination's import procedure asks for one. Apply to the Regional Agricultural Administration Office for your prefecture.
    Is a new export certificate system coming?
    Yes. MAFF's current export certificate issuing system is due to be replaced by JEXS in January 2027, with applications made by uploading Excel files and logins through a gBizID account.
    Is consumption tax charged on drinks exported from Japan?
    No, export sales are exempt from consumption tax. The exporter keeps the export permit, certified by Customs, for 7 years as proof.
    How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Japan?
    Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

    Sources

    Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

    Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

    Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Japan and what your paperwork needs to show.

    Get in touch

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