Many travelers wish to bring beer or wine with them when visiting Japan. Therefore, it is important to know if you can bring these items into Japan and what restrictions apply. Failure to comply could result in the disposal of your souvenirs or the payment of substantial taxes. This article explains the rules you need to know when bringing beer and wine into Japan.
1. Customs (Taxation)
| Key Limits | Exempt | Subject to Tax |
| Liquor | Up to 3 bottles (approx. 760 ml each) | Quantities exceeding 3 bottles |
When bringing beer and wine into Japan, Customs is the first consideration. Customs imposes duties and taxes on goods entering Japan from overseas.
- Duty-Free Allowance: Adults (aged 20 or over) are permitted to bring up to 3 bottles of liquor (approximately 760 ml per bottle) into Japan duty-free. Within this limit, you do not need to pay Customs duty, Consumption Tax, or Liquor Tax.
- Personal Consumption (Weight): For non-commercial, personal use, if the total weight of food products (including wine and beer) is under 10 kg, no notification procedure is required under the Food Sanitation Law.
- Taxable Items: If you bring in more than 3 bottles, the excess amount is subject to Customs duty, Consumption Tax, and Liquor Tax.
Importation of Alcoholic Beverages / Japan Customs
2. Quarantine
Beer and Wine are Not Subject to Quarantine.
Quarantine measures are designed to prevent pathogens and pests attached to food products from entering Japan. Target items include meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. These items may be prohibited entirely or require an inspection certificate for import. However, alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine are not subject to animal or plant quarantine.
3. Restrictions for Air Travel (Aviation Security)
Bringing alcoholic beverages onto an aircraft is governed by strict aviation security regulations (regardless of Customs rules).
- Carry-on Baggage:
- Before Security: Bringing liquids (including beer and wine) from outside the airport is severely restricted. You can only carry liquids in containers of 100 milliliters (ml) or less within a transparent, resealable plastic bag.
- After Security (Airport Purchase): Items purchased at duty-free shops or airport stores after security screening are generally permitted on board. The restrictions based on alcohol content are:
- Alcohol Content 24% to 70%: Limit of 5 liters per person.
- Alcohol Content 24% or less: No restrictions. (Note: Check with the specific airline as rules may vary slightly, though these limits are standard.)
- Connecting Flights (Caution): If you have a connecting flight, you may have to go through a second security screening in the transit country. Items bought after security at the first airport may be confiscated at the second screening if they exceed the 100ml carry-on limit. It is safest to purchase beer or wine after the security check at your last transfer airport or pack them in checked baggage.
- Checked (Hold) Baggage:
- Alcoholic beverages packed in checked baggage are subject to the same aviation security limits as post-security purchases:
- Alcohol Content 24% to 70%: Limit of 5 liters per person.
- Alcohol Content 24% or less: No restrictions. (Note: These are aviation rules; the Customs duty-free limit of 3 bottles still applies upon arrival in Japan.)
- Alcoholic beverages packed in checked baggage are subject to the same aviation security limits as post-security purchases: