Exporting organic products to Japan

Japan recognises New Zealand's Official Organic Assurance Programme as equivalent to their own organic standards for plant products and processed products of plant origin (excluding alcoholic beverages).

In order to export organic plant products and processed products of plant origin to Japan under the OOAP, you must comply with the Japan Overseas Market Access Requirement (OMAR).

• Download the Japan organic OMAR

Note that organic exporters to Japan also need to comply with the regular (non-organic) exporting requirements for their products.

• Find regular exporting requirements for your product

You must have an official organic assurance for each consignment of organic product you export to Japan under the OOAP. Apply for an official organic assurance by completing this application form and sending it to MPI.

• Download the official organic assurance application form [XLSX, 160 KB]

Your Recognised Agency will verify that your consignment is eligible and notify MPI.

MPI will then issue an official organic assurance and register your consignment. We'll prepare a certificate, which you can collect from our Auckland or Christchurch offices, or have sent by courier.

Use of the JAS organic logo
For plant products and processed products of plant origin, the JAS organic logo is compulsory. It can be affixed:

• in New Zealand, if the exporter or manufacturer has a contract with a Japanese organic importer who is JAS-certified for this activity
• in Japan, by a JAS-certified organic importer.

For more information, contact:

• your Japanese importer
• your MPI-recognised Recognised Agency
• MPI by emailing organics@mpi.govt.nz

Be aware that this option isn’t part of the Official Organic Assurance Programme and may involve commercial risks.

You may use this export option for all organic plant products, livestock products, livestock feed and processed products (including alcoholic beverages).

Your organic certifying body must be a registered overseas certifying body with the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Find a registered overseas certifying body

The JAS organic logo is compulsory for plant products, animal products, animal feed and processed food products (including alcoholic beverages).

Rules differ for some other product types and, in some cases, the JAS logo should not be used at all. Contact your Accredited Certification Body (Organic products (overseas)) for support with this option.

Be aware that this option isn’t part of the Official Organic Assurance Programme and may involve commercial risks.

You may use this export option for all organic plant products, livestock products, livestock feed and processed products (including alcoholic beverages).

Contact an organic certification body in Japan for support with this option.

Find a Japanese registered certifying body

The JAS organic logo is compulsory for plant products, animal products, animal feed and processed food products (including alcoholic beverages).

Rules differ for some other product types and, in some cases, the JAS logo should not be used at all. Contact your Accredited Certification Body (Organic products (domestic)) in Japan for support with this option.