Heading to Japan for business soon, thinking about bringing some smoked salmon (sealed in boxes) for gifts. Anyone have any experience with Japanese customs on bringing in small amounts of food and/or meat? Of course, I'll be flying into Narita.

It used to be very easy, but Japanese customs have recently tightened up their checks. There are multiple warnings posted all over Narita, and I did get sniffed by a cute beagle while waiting for my luggage in NRT last month.

Then again it may have been an anti-drug effort as, for the first time in a decade, my luggage was inspected, obviously for drugs (the inspector was only checking for double bottoms and sides on my suitcase). However, I was arriving from AMS.

I would assume smoked salmon would be ok, but meat definitely not ok.

NRT customs staff often don't even bother opening my bags. Once in every 20 times perhaps do they do it. Their primary concern looks like drugs.

I once was carrying a few apples in my bag, which are technically banned from being brought in. But the officer asked if they were for personal consumption and I said yes. And I brought them in.

I did some more digging and finally found a good web site in English. It looks like plants and animals are restricted, but not food. http://www.narita-airport-customs.go.jp/e/index_e.html
Looks like they are most worried about drugs, and the dogs are looking for drugs. They are also worried about firearms and counterfeits.

I've brought in food, because foods (or other products) typical of one's native region are considered presents. (Being from Oregon, I bring in things like hazelnuts or marionberry jam, as well as picture books or videos of the region.)

I just brought in 4 suitcases full of Food from Canada (lots of goodies for the family). No problems at all. Sure is cheaper than buying the food here.

It is almost worth it to do a "Food Run" to Canada from here.

I was just in NRT and I do not remember being asked at all about food products. I had a couple of energy bars and some coffee and fixings, which I would not have minded showing them, but nobody asked.