Export quarantine

Diagram of export quarantine procedures

Foreign countries impose restrictions on plant imports in order to prevent the introduction of pests. Plants for export from Japan are quarantined to comply with these requirements which tend to be diversified in recent years. Recently many countries require a field inspection on nursery plants and seeds prior to shipment from Japan.

Some of the major items

Export inspection of bonsai trees bound for EU

Seeds and bonsai trees bound for Europe.
Planting seeds for Asian countries.
Fresh fruits for Asian countries and North America.

Under special quarantine terms and conditions

Joint inspection of Japanese pear "Nijisseiki" bound for USA

The exportation of Unshu orange for the United States and New Zealand, Japanese pear for the United States("Nijisseiki", "Gold nijisseki", etc) and Australia("Nijisseiki"), apple for Australia, New Zealand and the United States are admitted, under special quarantine terms and conditions which include the designation of production areas, joint inspections in the growing site and packing facilities etc.
For the Unshu orange, sterilization treatment and bacteriophage test are additionally required to ensure complete freedom from citrus canker pathogens.

Bonsai, such as the Japanese white pine etc. destined to EU, are quarantined for two years at the growing site for pine helminth rust prior to the export inspection.

Back to Functions of plant protection stations