Melatonin 🇯🇵 Japan
Not sold in Japan — personal import permitted
Can I bring Melatonin into Japan?
Not sold in Japan — personal import permitted
One month supply without permit
- Yakkan Shoumei for larger quantities
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Melatonin is classified in Japan as an ingredient that has not been approved as a medicine under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMD Act). The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare permits personal-use import up to a two-month supply without a Yakkan-Shoumei certificate. Larger quantities — or any product marketed with medical claims — require the Yakkan-Shoumei importer's certificate, submitted at least two weeks before travel to the relevant regional Bureau of Health. Keep original labelling showing the dose and manufacturer; customs officers routinely inspect supplement quantities.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 100000–5000000 JPY
- Civil penalty only
Occasional — Enforcement reported intermittently.
Leaving Japan with melatonin
Melatonin is an over-the-counter dietary supplement in Japan and other jurisdictions (US, Canada, most of Asia) — freely exportable. Note that melatonin is a prescription-only medicine in some destinations (UK, EU generally, Australia, Japan), meaning arrival-side import may face restrictions even though departure is unrestricted. Personal-use quantities do not attract customs attention on departure.
Carry original retail packaging + prescription if dispensed Rx. Personal-use 30-90 day supply clears with documentation.
One month supply without permit
- Yakkan Shoumei for larger quantities
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act
This page covers destination customs rules in Japan. Whether you can carry melatonin through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Melatonin rules in other countries
Melatonin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Prescription-only medicine in the UK. Personal import for own use is permitted but regulated.
Melatonin
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Regulated medicine. Personal import requires original packaging and ideally a prescription.
Melatonin
🇦🇺 Australia
Low-dose OTC; higher doses prescription-only
Melatonin
🇩🇪 Germany
Classified as a medicinal product — prescription recommended
Melatonin
🇺🇸 United States
OTC dietary supplement; no restrictions
Melatonin
🇨🇦 Canada
Natural health product; available OTC