Passengers arriving in Japan by air must present vegetable seeds to the Plant Quarantine Counter before proceeding to Customs Inspection. Seeds shipped by air freight or cargo ship will be inspected at the port of entry. Microscopic and other examinations usually take at least six days. Potato and sweet potato tubers are planted at a post-entry quarantine station and tested during a one-year growing season.
If seeds contain living pests or disease, the importer may choose disinfection, disposition or reshipment. Seeds containing weevils, pyralid moths or other pests may be disinfected using methylbromide fumigation or phosphine fumigation, which can take a few hours to several days.
Vegetable seeds may be brought into Japan with proper documentation. Crop seeds must be accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate proving the seeds have passed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export inspection.
Soil is strictly prohibited. Vegetable seeds must not have any soil adhering to them.
