Market
Coffee beans in Japan are primarily an import-dependent commodity supporting a large domestic roasting and consumption market. Japan’s applied tariff for unroasted coffee (HS 0901.11 and 0901.12) is listed as duty-free in the Japanese tariff schedule. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Japan’s 2021 imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee were sourced mainly from Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Guatemala, and Ethiopia. Import clearance commonly involves plant quarantine procedures (including phytosanitary documentation and inspection where applicable) and an import notification procedure under the Food Sanitation Act for foods imported for sale or business use.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market and roasting hub
Domestic RoleDownstream roasting, blending, and consumer market reliant on imported green coffee
SeasonalityYear-round import availability with procurement driven by origin harvest calendars rather than domestic seasonality.
Risks
Climate HighJapan’s coffee market is highly exposed to climate- and weather-driven production shocks in major supplying countries, which can sharply raise green coffee prices and disrupt procurement for importers and roasters.Diversify origins and quality tiers, use longer-term sourcing contracts where feasible, and maintain procurement flexibility to switch between origins/specs during supply shocks.
Regulatory Compliance MediumFailure to submit required import notification under the Food Sanitation Act can prevent imported coffee from being used for sale or business purposes and can trigger non-clearance outcomes.Confirm whether the shipment requires Food Sanitation Act notification and complete quarantine-station submission/document checks before final customs clearance.
Phytosanitary MediumPlant quarantine procedures may require phytosanitary certification and inspection for relevant plant/plant product categories; missing or incorrect documentation can cause delays, required treatments, or refusal of entry.Confirm plant quarantine applicability and documentation requirements by origin and product condition with MAFF Plant Protection Stations before shipment.
Labor And Human Rights MediumUpstream labor risks (including child labor or forced labor risks in certain origins) can create reputational and buyer compliance exposure for Japan-based supply chains as human-rights due diligence expectations strengthen.Implement origin risk screening, require supplier codes of conduct and corrective action pathways, and align due diligence to Japan’s human rights supply chain guidance.
Sustainability- Climate-related supply shocks in major origin countries can tighten supply and amplify price volatility for Japan’s import-dependent market.
- Biodiversity and forest-risk themes in coffee origins can affect buyer sustainability requirements and certification preferences.
Labor & Social- Human rights due diligence expectations are increasing for companies operating in Japan under government-issued supply chain human rights guidance.
- Coffee is listed among goods that U.S. ILAB has reason to believe may be produced with child labor or forced labor in certain source countries, raising upstream social compliance risk for import supply chains.
FAQ
Does Japan apply an import tariff on unroasted coffee beans?Japan’s tariff schedule lists unroasted coffee (HS 0901.11 and 0901.12) as duty-free (Free).
What are two common regulatory steps for importing coffee beans into Japan for commercial sale?Importers typically need to follow (1) plant quarantine procedures (including phytosanitary documentation and inspection where applicable) and (2) the Food Sanitation Act import notification process submitted to an MHLW quarantine station for foods imported for sale or business use.