How to import CBD to Japan safely
In 2021, CBD has kept on becoming more popular in Japan despite the COVID-19.
As you may know now, CBD (cannabidiol) originally comes from the cannabis plant.
It is an extracted ingredient that should be imported very carefully.
So we would like to share our humble experience on how to import CBD into Japan in the best conditions possible.
When importing CBD, confirmation and permission from the Drug Control Department of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare are always required.
So if you plan to import natural CBD, you must obtain this latter permission and have to respect the following points:
① The component responsible of the so-called “high” effect from THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) must be absent, which means 0%.
② The CBD must be extracted from cannabis stems or seeds.
Approval is only possible if the above two conditions are met and can be proved.
Raw material manufacturing process, analysis table, (etc.) are required before importing safely.
In addition, it is necessary to ask the importing manufacturer to create process documents, even using photographs.
In general, it is possible to obtain CBD from the cannabis flowers, leaves, branches, stems and seeds.
However, because cannabis stems and seeds contain very little concentration of CBD, it is more often made from the whole cannabis plant, including things that should be left.
The process of extraction from the stems and seeds is the only one initially permitted in Japan.
Yet, it requires a large amount of stems and seeds, and therefore, it becomes more expensive as it takes more time and effort to extract it in those conditions.
When importing to Japan, it is necessary to overcome the double hurdles of being a raw material extracted from seeds and stems and having the documents about the process prepared.
The above documents should be submitted to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare before shipping by the manufacturer, and have to wait for approval then.
However, it is not easy to make it approved.
Based on our experience, as of December 2021, it will take about 3 months to get a confirmation from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
So we recommend you considering a good margin of time to assume that it will take about three months or more for the CBD product to arrive after you decide to import it.
One thing I want you know…
From our experience, it is essential to check and ask yourself THE good questions before importing.
Like is it really 100% THC free? Did the manufacturer really followed the documented process? Is it an extraction only made from the stems and seeds as required by Japanese law?
All those questions are VERY important and we recommend you to be able to answer those questions before importing natural CBD.
And even if you succeed in having a positive answer and being approved for importing CBD, most of the time THC is included in the extraction process.
Besides, if the concentration is too high, you may have problems with the Japanese law as it can be considered as a “cannabis-equivalent” product…
So how credible is the manufacturing plant?
We strongly recommend that you check the product with your own eyes before importing it.
Lastly, if you plan to import CBD with no stress, we recommend that you ask a reliable importer with experience.
This is a safer way to carry out the import procedure, even if it costs a little more money…
And if you need help or advice to import CBD, we can provide accurate and relevant information.
Do not hesitate to contact us for a professional consultation.
◆ CBD import consultation (ZOOM 1 hour) → ¥ 10,000~
◆ CBD import agency → ¥ 300,000~
CBD California Trading Company
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corporate inquiries, click here.