Can I bring Japanese snacks, matcha and beef jerky into the US, Canada, Australia or the UK? Food customs rules by country

Updated 2026-10-2415 sources

The short version: common Japanese souvenirs

This table summarizes the general direction of each country's official rules. Declare everything when you arrive; customs and biosecurity officers make the final call.

For what to buy in the first place, see How to choose Japanese souvenirs, Japanese snacks guide and How to choose matcha.

United States (USDA / CBP)

• Declare all agricultural and animal or plant products. If you declare, you won't be penalized even if the item can't enter. Keep receipts and original packaging as proof of origin.
• Tea: products made solely of tea leaves are allowed in any quantity (still declare them).
• Meat: most beef, pork, lamb and goat from countries with certain animal diseases is not allowed; CBP says products that contain meat from restricted countries as an ingredient (such as beef broth) are usually prohibited.
• Fruit and vegetables: almost all fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited.
• Undeclared items can bring a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a first non-commercial offense (CBP).

Canada (CFIA / CBSA)

• You must declare all food when you arrive; failing to do so can lead to confiscation, a fine or prosecution.
• Fresh, dried and cured meats from countries other than the US are not permitted; only cooked, shelf-stable, commercially sealed meat products you carry with you are allowed, and beef must come from a country of negligible BSE risk.
• For dairy, only ice cream, yogurt, kashk and pasteurized cheese are permitted.
• Confectionery, snacks, bread and pastries can't contain meat (up to 20 kg each); tea, spices and coffee have no restrictions (up to 20 kg).

United Kingdom (GOV.UK)

• Arriving from outside the EU: you can't bring meat or meat products, or milk and milk-based products (except powdered infant milk up to 2 kg).
• You can bring biscuits, cakes without fresh cream, chocolate and confectionery (except those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy) and bread without meat or dairy fillings; noodles are fine unless mixed or filled with meat.
• Most fruit and vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate. Undeclared banned food can mean a fine of up to £5,000 in England.

Australia and New Zealand

• Both require you to declare all food, including packaged snacks and small amounts of cooking ingredients. If unsure, declare it. Officers then release, treat or seize the item; undeclared items found on inspection lead to fines.
• Check specific products in Australia's BICON and on New Zealand MPI's food page.

Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan

• Singapore: beef and other meat only from approved sources; Japan is on the approved list for beef, up to 5 kg. Other processed food such as biscuits and jam is limited to 5 kg (5 L) in total and S$100 in value per traveler (SFA list current as of December 19, 2025).
• Hong Kong: since August 24, 2023, aquatic products (including dried ones), sea salt and seaweed from 10 prefectures including Tokyo, Fukushima and Chiba are banned from import; Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety says travelers may bring them for their own use but not for sale. Chilled or frozen meat needs a health certificate or FEHD permission.
• Taiwan: almost all meat products from land animals are banned, with fines of NT$10,000 to NT$1,000,000 if undeclared; fresh fruit is banned. General food without registration is allowed up to 6 kg and US$1,000 per kind (Kaohsiung Customs).

Tips

• Keep the original packaging and ingredient list so customs can see whether it contains meat or dairy.
• If the Japanese ingredient list includes ビーフ (beef), ポーク (pork), チキンエキス (chicken extract), 豚 (pork) or 牛 (beef), it contains meat; eat it before you fly or skip it.
• Under Japan's new tax-free rules, food eaten in Japan can't be refunded; see Japan's new tax-free rules.