Is it necessary to replace Import Notification of Foods, etc. to be submitted when importing foods, only because of trivial mistakes such as typing mistakes? Furthermore, should an inspection certificate issued by the exporting country be attached at the time of food importation?  

For trivial errors concerning matters entered in Import Notification of Foods, etc. such as typing mistakes, the replacement is not required. In the case of importing livestock meat (including processed products), a sanitation certificate issued by a governmental organization of the exporting country should be attached. However, in place of attaching a sanitation certificate, some countries admit an electronic transfer of matters on a sanitation certification.

1. In the case of importing foods, on each occasion, Import Notification of Foods, etc. and other documents (including a sanitation certificate and self-inspection certificate, etc.) should be submitted to the Minister of Health and Welfare. Quarantine stations in 31 airports and seaports conduct documentary examination across the country, and if necessary, product inspection is conducted. After the inspections, a food import notification certificate is issued. Furthermore, if foods are repeatedly imported, procedures can be simplified by utilizing a planned import system, item registration system or a continuous import system, etc..

2. Minor errors such as typing mistakes related to matters entered in an Import Notification of Foods, etc. are disregarded.

3. In the case of importing livestock meat (including processed products), a sanitation certificate issued by a governmental organization of the exporting country is required. If matters to be entered in a sanitation certificate are transmitted to a computer of a quarantine station from the governmental organization of the exporting country and are recorded in a file, the attachment of paper is exempted. This "electronic transfer system" of the certificate is being implemented between Japan and Australia.