1.1 Establishment registration

Establishments are required to be export registered to export eggs from Australia to Japan.

Exceptions to establishment list and overseas registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following, as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021;

1. (a) eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
2. (b) egg products derived from eggs from a species other than Gallus gallus;
3. (c) eggs or egg products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
4. (d) liquid egg products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
5. (e) eggs or egg products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
6. (f) egg products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
   
7. (g) eggs or egg products for export to New Zealand.

Note

However, if Japan requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.

1.2 Overseas listing

Establishments are not required to be establishment listed to export eggs from Austral​ia to Japan.

1.3 General information

An import permit is required for eggs exported from Australia to Japan.

The validity of the per​​mit is subject to change as determined by Japan.

2.1 Operational requirements additional to Australia’s export legislation

Japan requires the importer to confirm with the Osaka Branch of the Animal Quarantine Service prior to import that the attestations included are appropriate and acceptable for the specific consignments to be imported into Japan.

2.2 Microbial and residue sampling and maximum acceptable limits

Japan has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

Japan residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Japan or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Japan and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

• These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Japan standards and the Australian standards.
• Any detection of a residue above the Japan ​MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Note

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

3.1 Cage, barn and free-range table eggs

There is no agreed certification for the import of cage, barn or free-range eggs into Japan.

3.2 Egg products that are not heat treated

For frozen liquid egg products use Health Certificate template EX46EG certificate with additional endorsement 5210.

EX46EG embedded endorsement

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the conditions or restrictions applicable under the inspection system prescribed under the Export Control Act have been complied with in respect of the prescribed goods described above, being goods that are:

• In sound condition
• Fit for human consumption
• Of Australian origin

Additional endorsement 5210

1. Australia has been free from Notifiable Avian Influenza for at least 90 days prior export.
2. Newcastle disease has not occurred for at least 90 days prior to export, within a minimum radius of 50 km from the production farm and the processing plant where the eggs used for the production of the egg liquids were produced, selected, disinfected, processed and packed.
3. The eggs used for the production of the egg liquids were sourced from a farm/s approved by the government authority in Australia.
4. The farm/s have been free from fowl cholera and has/have not experienced an outbreak of other trade significant poultry diseases for at least 90 days prior to export of the egg liquids.
5. The eggs used for the production of the egg liquids were collected, selected, cleaned, disinfected and packed at the processing plant under hygienic condition supervised by the government authority in Australia.
6. The eggs used for the production of the egg liquids were transported from the production farm to the processing plant under hygienic condition.
7. The egg liquids were packed in new and clean packing material.
8. The egg liquids are stored or packed using new and clean packages or containers and handled in a way to prevent being exposed to any pathogens or any animal infectious diseases prior to export.
9. The product/s described above are derived from eggs of the species Gallus gallus.

Liquid egg products to be imported into Japan must meet the compositional specifications, manufacturing standards and preservation standards stipulated under the Specifications and Standards for Foods, Food Additives, etc. Under the Food Sanitation Act (Abstract) 2010 (PDF 1.9 MB)​.

For information on how to lodge a Request for Export (REX) for eggs and eggs products, follow the link​.​​

3.3 Egg products that are heat treated

There is no agreed certification for the import of heat-treated egg products into Japan.

3.4 Manufacturing grade products

There is no agreed certification for import of manufacturing grade products into Japan.

3.5 Consignments under 10kg and trade samples

Japan has no known requirements for consignments under 10 kg and trade samples that differ from those required in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021. Please confirm requirements with your importer before sending a consignment under or equal to 10 Kg.

4.1 Import permit

An import permit is required for table eggs exported from Australia to Japan.

The validity of the permit is subject to change as determined by Japan.

4.2. Port of entry inspection and testing

Japan has no known additional requirements for port of entry inspection and testing of egg and egg products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Egg and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.1 Packaging

The Department is aware that Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) require the following information on commercial documentation:

• Production date (lay date) of the eggs used in the production of the egg products. Specific dates must be provided; for example, between 10/03/2016 and 15/03/2016 etc.
• The approved layer farm/s (name, address and the establishment number).

5.2 Labelling

Japan has no known specific requirements for labelling in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

• Nutritional claims: Not applicable
• Dual Language: Not applicable

5.3 Shelf life

Japan has no known specific requirements for shelf life restrictions in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.4 Use-by date

Japan has no known specific requirements for use-by date in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

5.5 Shipping marks

Japan​ has no known specific requirements for shipping marks in addition to those provided in the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

6.1 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout

Eggs and egg products must be tr​​ansported to ensure their condition and integrity is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021.

No additional documents required.

Not applicable.